Jarret Johnson isn’t accustomed to coming off the field – ever.



No matter what personnel group the defensive coordinator called for, the nine-year outside linebacker usually strapped up his helmet and trotted out.

Not this year.

With the influx of young talent on the Ravens’ defense, coordinator Chuck Pagano has been able to substitute more frequently than in years past, according to Johnson.

And it’s a key factor in why the unit is currently atop the NFL in points allowed per game.

“I’ll get out to about the numbers and I’ll look back and think, ‘Oh, wait a minute,’ and I have to come back out, which is kind of weird,” Johnson said.

“We’re constantly rolling guys in, which we’ve never really done. … But, it’s definitely an advantage for our team being able to roll guys [in], keeping guys healthy and keeping guys fresh.”

Johnson has been spelled frequently by third-year pass rusher Paul Kruger, who recorded a tackle, pass deflection and fumble recovery against the New York Jets.

Rookie fifth-round pick defensive end Pernell McPhee has seen a substantial amount of time on the line, and recorded five tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery.

Second-year defensive tackle Arthur Jones, who was active for just two games last year, has played in all four this season and notched five tackles.

It’s not just in the front seven either. The Ravens have used both strong safeties, Tom Zbikowski and Bernard Pollard, in different packages that maximize their strengths. They’ve also mixed in their cornerbacks, particularly before the unit was ravaged by injuries.

“It’s been very important,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “We do have more depth, we do have more pass rushers, we do have more run-stuffers.”

Johnson said the most exhausting thing to do on the field is rush the passer.

The Ravens have shown great advancement in that area from last year, when they recorded a franchise-low 27 sacks. Through four games, Baltimore has 11 sacks and 28 quarterback hits.

“The fresher you are out there, obviously the faster you can play,” Harbaugh said. “You get maybe 21 or 22 defensive players, and it’s good to play them all.”