The Baltimore Ravens activated Rolando McClain off the reserve-retired list Thursday, two days after his disastrous first workout with the team.
It's unknown whether this is to allow McClain to participate in the team's offseason workout program, which begins Monday, or this is the first step toward the Ravens releasing the troubled inside linebacker. Ravens officials aren't providing any official comment on the move, which was reported on the NFL's transactions list.
Even if McClain reports to their offseason regimen, it doesn't mean he is a lock to make the Ravens' final roster. The Ravens signed McClain to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum $700,000. It's a risk-free contract for the Ravens because it doesn't include any guaranteed money.
It also wouldn't be surprising if the Ravens cut McClain. Last month, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said the team would welcome him back if he proved that he had matured. On Tuesday, McClain was reportedly 22 minutes late for his workout with the Ravens and failed to complete the team's conditioning test. Later that day, McClain posted on Twitter: "No excuse for my failures. My success no apologies. I that I owe is absolute honesty. Keep it 100, but that's what they all say."
The Ravens have been interested in McClain because they want to improve their depth at inside linebacker. Alabama's C.J. Mosley, the top linebacker prospect in the draft, recently made a pre-draft visit with the Ravens, who hold the No. 17 overall pick.
McClain, 24, is trying to get his career back on track after being released a year ago by the Oakland Raiders. He was suspended for two games by the Raiders in 2012 after arguing with head coach Dennis Allen. He was also arrested three times in an 11-month span.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft, McClain retired in May, a month after signing with the Ravens. He said he used the time to get his "priorities straight."
In 41 games over three seasons with the Raiders, McClain had 246 tackles and 6.5 sacks.