The Baltimore Ravens are signing former former Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James to a two-year deal worth up to $9 million, according to ESPN.
The report comes on the same day that James reportedly filed a grievance against the Broncos seeking to recoup his 2021 pay, according to Profootballtalk.com.
James, 29, sustained a season-ending torn Achilles injury while working away from team facilities in early May. The Broncos released James in May with a non-football injury designation, clearing the way for the team to void his salary for 2021.
James was set to earn $10 million in base salary in 2021. But shortly after the injury, the NFL cited James in a memo informing teams that injuries incurred in such conditions could be given the non-football injury (NFI) designation, letting teams off the hook from paying the player for missed time.
James’ deal with the Ravens is dependent on his ability to pass a physical, though his current injury would not be considered as part of that, ESPN reported.
James opted out of the 2020 season. He played in only three games since the Broncos signed him to a four-year, $51 million contract before the 2019 season. He dealt with a knee injury that season and played only 63 snaps for the Broncos.
James was the Miami Dolphins’ first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2014. Injuries cost him 18 games during his five seasons with the Dolphins before he became a free agent after the 2018 season.