JOHN TYLER HIGH SCHOOL graduate Tyus Bowser (54) intercepts a pass during the 2017 NFL season. Bowser is in his second year with the Baltimore Ravens.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — When Tyler native Tyus Bowser was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens last year, he was asked if he was willing to play special teams.

“That’s a priority,” he said in the spring of 2017, according to published reports.

Now in his second NFL season, the John Tyler High School graduate and University of Houston product is indeed seeing action on special teams with Baltimore, as well as some playing time at outside linebacker.

“It was an adjustment,” he said of special teams play in the NFL, while standing at his locker Wednesday in suburban Baltimore. “I did not really play much (in college). I was just a shell guy in the back (on punts). It is definitely a huge adjustment, straight from high school to college to the NFL. But it is working out well.

“I talk to a lot of guys around the league. They are not putting as much

time as we are each and every day (with special teams). They definitely take pride in it” in Baltimore, added Bowser, who lives on his own just 10 minutes from the training complex at 1 Winning Drive.

On days off, he may head to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore or drive about 40 miles south to the nation’s capital in Washington. “Just to unwind and check out the food and relax,” said the soft-spoken Tyler product.

Bowser, 23, was drafted in the second round by the Ravens in 2017.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds, he played in all 16 games as a reserve last season and had nine tackles, three sacks and one interception.

Bowser has played in every game this season except for Oct. 14, when he was inactive against Tennessee. He saw action on special teams on Oct. 21 against New Orleans, and in eight games this year has three tackles.

“I feel I haven’t even scratched the surface yet,” he said. “I still have so much more to learn, so much more to do and waiting on that opportunity. I have not played as much as I have before (in college). I am definitely staying patient.”

Bowser said he has learned a lot from Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley, who is in his fifth season out of the University of Alabama.

“Coming from high school to college, I always have been around great defenses,” Bowser said. “Being around guys who take pride and overall make plays. Being around guys that actually care, that helps motivate me and keeps me energized every single week.”

Other defenders who helped with the transition to the NFL are 11-year pro cornerback Brandon Carr, safety Eric Weddle, a 12-year veteran, and All-Pro outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, in his 16th season out of Arizona State.

“That has helped me a lot,” Bowser said of the veteran presence. Bowser has tried to watch Suggs and incorporate some of his techniques into his game.

Other Texas products with the Ravens include wideout Michael Crabtree of Dallas and Texas Tech; kicker Justin Tucker of Austin and the University of Texas; and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Copperas Cove and Baylor.

Griffin, a backup quarterback this year, could be forced into action Sunday when the Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals.

Regular quarterback Joe Flacco is dealing with a hip injury and head coach John Harbaugh would not speculate Wednesday when asked by reporters who would play quarterback Sunday. Another option is Lamar Jackson, the rookie from Louisville and the Heisman winner in 2016.

Bowser said the Baltimore defense can’t worry too much about who plays quarterback for the Ravens on Sunday.

“We don’t play offense; we play defense. They know what they are doing,” he said of the Ravens offensive coaches and players. “They would not be at this level if they didn’t know what they are doing. We are confident in everybody” who plays quarterback.

The Ravens are 4-5 with three losses in a row and desperately need a win to stay in the playoff hunt. The Bengals are 5-4 and beat the Ravens in Ohio in week two.

The Ravens defense will have to contend with Bengals wideout Tyler Boyd. He figures to play a more prominent role due to an injury to A.J. Green, another Cincinnati receiver.

Boyd has a team-high 52 catches this year, with five touchdowns, while Green has 45 catches with six scores.

The Ravens enter this week ranked second defensively in the NFL in scoring defense.

“Just play our game. That is the only thing we can worry about,” Bowser said. “Being sound and communicate with everybody. Once we are all together in one accord, we can do a lot of big things.”

David Driver is a freelance writer in Maryland and can be reached at www.davidsdrive.com.