The Baltimore Ravens already had waived outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon twice this year, and each time had re-signed the former Hoover High School All-State selection for their practice squad as soon as they were able.

If that was the plan this time, it didn’t work – and it might have cost Moon a trip to Super Bowl LVIII.

On Thursday, Baltimore waived Moon, which created an opening on the active roster. The Ravens filled that opening on Friday by activating tight end Mark Andrews from injured reserve. Andrews has been out of action since incurring an ankle injury in Baltimore’s 34-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 16.

Now the Ravens will have the three-time Pro Bowler available when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game at 2 p.m. CST Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The winner will advance to Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.

But Moon won’t be with the Ravens. Baltimore won’t be able to re-sign him as it had on Aug. 30 and Oct. 28 because the Pittsburgh Steelers claimed the outside linebacker off waivers this time.

The transaction landed Moon in an NFL limbo. He can’t be with Baltimore because the Ravens released him. But he can’t appear on Pittsburgh’s roster until Feb. 12, the first business day after the Super Bowl.

Moon played in eight games for the Ravens in 2023 after spending the 2022 season on the practice squad without getting into a game. He played 99 defensive snaps and 142 special-teams plays this season.

Moon played twice against the Steelers. He caused a fumble in punt coverage on Oct. 8 and had 25 defensive snaps, 19 special-teams plays and four tackles on Jan. 6.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.