diff --git a/paperforge/worker/ocr_document.py b/paperforge/worker/ocr_document.py
index 56ead06e..b459b7d6 100644
--- a/paperforge/worker/ocr_document.py
+++ b/paperforge/worker/ocr_document.py
@@ -5989,12 +5989,6 @@ def normalize_document_structure(
         for block in blocks:
             if block.get("seed_role") == "figure_caption" and not _should_keep_formal_caption_seed(block):
                 block["role"] = "figure_caption_candidate"
-    if not gate_context.accepted_table_block_ids:
-        for block in blocks:
-            if block.get("seed_role") == "table_caption" and not _should_keep_formal_caption_seed(block):
-                block["role"] = "table_caption_candidate"
-            if block.get("seed_role") == "table_html":
-                block["role"] = "table_html_candidate"
 
     decisions = []
     for block in blocks:
diff --git a/paperforge/worker/ocr_roles.py b/paperforge/worker/ocr_roles.py
index 48da59ea..9a195f13 100644
--- a/paperforge/worker/ocr_roles.py
+++ b/paperforge/worker/ocr_roles.py
@@ -1318,6 +1318,15 @@ def assign_block_role(
             evidence=[f"textual table (bullet list) not media_asset: {text[:60]}"],
         )
 
+
+    # Inline table HTML check: applies to all raw_labels, not just "text"
+    if text.strip().lower().startswith("<table"):
+        return RoleAssignment(
+            role="table_html",
+            confidence=0.95,
+            evidence=["inline table HTML"],
+        )
+
     if raw_label in {"image", "chart", "table"}:
         return RoleAssignment(
             role="media_asset",
diff --git a/paperforge/worker/ocr_structural_gate.py b/paperforge/worker/ocr_structural_gate.py
index ecf29399..179f2b83 100644
--- a/paperforge/worker/ocr_structural_gate.py
+++ b/paperforge/worker/ocr_structural_gate.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ _SAFE_PRESERVED_ROLES = {
     "backmatter_body",
     "body_paragraph",
     "ocr_raw_error",
+    "table_html",  # inline <table> HTML is self-identifying, no verification needed
 }
 
 
@@ -358,6 +359,16 @@ def resolve_verified_role(block: dict, context: RoleGateContext) -> VerifiedRole
             render_default=False,
         )
 
+    if proposal == "table_html":
+        # Inline <table> HTML is self-identifying — no structural verifier needed.
+        # The seed_role is reliable when the block text starts with <table>.
+        if str(block.get("text", "") or "").strip().lower().startswith("<table"):
+            return accept_role(
+                "table_html", seed_role, "inline_table_html",
+                ["inline <table> HTML — self-identifying, accepted without verification"],
+            )
+        return hold_role(seed_role, "table_html seed without inline <table> text")
+
     if proposal in VERIFY_REQUIRED or seed_role in VERIFY_REQUIRED:
         return hold_role(seed_role, f"{proposal} requires structural verifier")
     source = "non_structural_seed" if current_role in {"", "unassigned"} else "non_structural_normalized_role"