Baltimore Ravens: Tommy Streeter to the IR Is a Smart Move

To ease the process of cutting down the current roster to 53 players by 9:00 Friday night, the Baltimore Ravens placed rookie wide receiver Tommy Streeter on injured reserve.

The decision to put Streeter on IR wasn't surprising, as it had been hinted at for the several days leading up to Friday. Streeter, who was a sixth-round pick in April's draft, suffered an injury to his left foot in the third preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The injury appears to be only a sprain, but it was severe enough to keep Streeter out of practice all week. A sprained foot doesn't usually lead to a player getting placed on IR, but in this case, the Ravens had no other choice.

Fellow rookie wide receiver Deonte Thompson consistently outplayed Streeter in training camp and in the preseason games, and he did everything in his power to make a roster spot. Thompson's spot on the team is as Baltimore's sixth wide receiver, leaving no room for Streeter.

Leaving Streeter off of the team would've done nothing but backfire on the Ravens. 

Baltimore could hope that no other team picks up Streeter and that he could return to the team as a practice squad player, but those odds would have been very slim.

The former University of Miami receiver is as raw as a rookie receiver can be, but he is 6'5" and has the speed to beat defenders deep, leading many to believe he can be successful in the NFL.

By placing Streeter on IR, the team now ensures that Streeter will be a Raven this year and heading into the 2013 season. The injury likely won't sideline Streeter for the whole season, which will give him more time to work on his route running and catching skills as he prepares for the 2013 season.

The decision to place Streeter on IR was a smart move by the Ravens that will benefit both Streeter and the team moving forward.