LaJohntay Wester opens up about unforgettable Ravens preseason moment
Rookie LaJohntay Wester had already crafted an impressive 17-yard punt return on the night. His second effort may have gone a long way in catapulting him onto the initial 53-man roster.
Here's what's funny. A man can carve out a career for himself by piecing words together to tell a story, and be rendered speechless by a moment.
Words truly can't encapsulate the brilliance of LaJohntay Wester's 83-yard return. For that, you need a visual. Thank the NFL for this beauty.
Fans and the Ravens' social media team took to social media to express their delight. Here are two other angles of the same return. Just appreciate the beauty.
In the end, that one won't count. When Wester calls it a career and hangs up his cleats, hopefully a long time from now, that 83-yard punt return won't be part of his career stat line. 'Preseason games don't matter. ' That's what they tell us. Someone try telling that to the rookie after hearing him describe his moment.
Wester finished his first preseason game with 104 return yards and a TD on three attempts. He caught two passes for 41 yards, including a 30-yarder. Again, tell him this game means nothing, and watch how he responds.
Let's not overreact or place him ahead of DeAndre Hopkins, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman on the depth chart. Let's appreciate what we have seen. The Ravens have found a diamond in the rough in the form of this sixth-round draft choice.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: A special Ravens moment sparks emotion for rookie LaJohntay Wester

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
a minute ago
- USA Today
Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. cracks NFL top-50 ranking following Pro Bowl season
Another Houston Texans player made the NFL top-100 player list. The list, which is voted on by the players themselves, has already included running back Joe Mixon (No. 56). It's also expected to have wide receiver Nico Collins and defensive end Danielle Hunter in the coming weeks after their successful seasons in H-Town. Now, the list features sophomore edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., who came in at No. 46 after a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2024 en route to a Pro Bowl nod. "With the Texans offense's struggles last season, the team's defense played a key role in Houston making it back to the playoffs. Ranking No. 6 in total yards allowed under head coach DeMeco Ryans, the front line was particularly vicious, ranking fourth in sacks behind the dynamic duo of Anderson and Danielle Hunter," NFL media wrote. "Anderson was a Pro Bowler and Defensive Rookie of the Year in his opening campaign in Houston, and though he didn't return to the Pro Bowl in 2024, the defensive end was no less impactful. Topping his previous sack total by four, Anderson was efficient at getting into the backfield and finishing the job. The Texans have to be excited to see how the man they traded a haul of picks to draft will continue to grow and wreak havoc on offenses." After winning the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year honor with his 7.5 sacks in 2023, Anderson proved he wasn't just a rookie sensation in 2024 with not only 11.5 sacks, but also a stellar 17 tackles for loss. Pressure wasn't on his side since the Hunter, who led the team with 12 sacks last season in his first year with the franchise, so the former No. 3 overall pick will remain the 1A pass-rusher to the former All-Pro with the Vikings. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Anderson converted 19.0% of his total pressures (58) into sacks (11.5) last season, nearly doubling his sack conversion rate from his rookie season in 2023 (10.9%). He'll be looking to double those numbers in 2025 as the Texans prepare for a chance to secure a higher seed and a third straight AFC South division title this fall.


USA Today
a minute ago
- USA Today
Social media erupts as former Alabama quarterback shines in NFL preseason debut
On Thursday night, former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe played in a NFL game for the first time. A preseason contest, Milroe and the Seattle Seahawks hosted the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night for both team's openers, a game that ultimately ended in a 23-23 tie at the end of regulation. During the game, Milroe, a third round pick from the 2025 NFL draft, came off the bench for Seattle, playing the entirety of the second half at the helm of the Seahawks offense. In all, Milroe completed 6-of-10 passes for 61 yards through the passing game, finishing with a passer rating of 77.5. Milroe was also sacked once for a total of 10 yards, while also rushing for 38 yards on three attempts. Alongside of Milroe, former Alabama tight end Robbie Ouzts also started at fullback for Seattle on Thursday night, and had an impressive showing that resulted in a catch for 17 yards. As for Milroe in particular, social media erupted late Thursday night following the impressive debut of the former Alabama quarterback. Here are some reactions to what people were saying about Milroe's debut. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.


CNET
a minute ago
- CNET
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints, Answers for Aug. 9 #320
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles. Today's Connections: Sports Edition stumped me all over the place today. Growing up in Minnesota surrounded by ice hockey, I was able to nail the green group, but I didn't do so well otherwise. Read on for hints and the answers. Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That's a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn't show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic's own app. Or you can continue to play it free online. Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta Hints for today's Connections: Sports Edition groups Here are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group. Yellow group hint: Throw it in there. Green group hint: Five for fighting. Blue group hint: On the ice. Purple group hint: Crimson Tide. Answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition groups Yellow group: Baseball pitching arm slots. Green group: Hockey penalties. Blue group: PWHL teams. Purple group: Former Alabama QBs. Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words What are today's Connections: Sports Edition answers? The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Aug. 9, 2025, #320. NYT/Screenshot by CNET The yellow words in today's Connections The theme is baseball pitching arm slots. The four answers are overhand, sidearm, submarine and three-quarters. The green words in today's Connections The theme is hockey penalties. The four answers are boarding, cross-checking, hooking and interference. The blue words in today's Connections The theme is PWHL teams. The four answers are Charge, Fleet, Frost and Sirens. The purple words in today's Connections The theme is former Alabama QBs. The four answers are Namath, Stabler, Starr and Young.