ExtremeRavens

After having the NFL’s best regular-season record and coming within a game of playing in the Super Bowl, the Ravens don’t catch any breaks. Based on opponents’ winning percentage, Baltimore has the second-toughest schedule in the league this year. Its 14 foes posted a combined record of 155-134 last season (.536), and eight made the playoffs. According to projected win totals from Vegas oddsmakers compiled by Sharp Football Analysis, the Ravens’ 2024 schedule is the league’s fourth-hardest. On top of that, there are some disturbing stretches in the second half of the season, including three games in 14 days and another three in 10. When the schedule first came out, it appeared as though the NFL had a vendetta against the Ravens or coach John Harbaugh. Plus, whatever happened to this league having so much concern for player safety? “I think the league is going to continue to add more games because of the media contracts that they have, especially now with streaming,” said John Lopez, 79, a former trainer with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Colts and Canadian Football League’s Baltimore Stallions as well as co-founder of Towson Sports Medicine. “Everybody wants a piece of the pie, so you’re going to probably have a game every night of the week or every day of the week in the future.” It’s inevitable, and it’s all about the money while player safety has been put on the back shelf. Unfortunately, the Ravens might not survive this season unless they start out going 6-2 or 5-3 in the first eight games. Afterward, it’s a gamble. The Ravens play the Denver Broncos in Baltimore on Nov. 3, host the Cincinnati Bengals four days later and then travel to Pittsburgh on Nov. 17. Later in December, they travel to New York for a game with the Giants on Dec. 15 before hosting the Steelers six days later and then flying into Houston for an afternoon game on Christmas Day, the Ravens’ second straight on the holiday that has traditionally been dominated by the NBA. Until now. “If it’s something that’s not good for the players, why aren’t the players speaking up?” Lopez asked. “None of the stars within the league have spoken up about it. I don’t see the NFLPA and their union head talking about it, so it’s big, big money and they’re just going to keep adding more games. “I am glad I don’t have to handle the demands of trying to get players ready to play for the next game.” You could see this coming back in 1961 when the NFL switched to a 14-game schedule and then went to 16 games in 1978. In March 2021, the NFL adopted a 17-game schedule after an agreement with the NFLPA. Based on opponents’ winning percentage, Baltimore has the second-toughest schedule in the league this year. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The format will eventually go to 18 games and then 20. But as the number of games grows, so will the injuries. The Ravens can’t afford to lose star quarterback Lamar Jackson at any point, but an injury during those short weeks would be devastating. Plus, today’s players are bigger, stronger and faster than those in the 1970s or 1980s, and there are more Sunday, Monday and Thursday night games. “I went through it one year with the old Canadian Football League franchise in Baltimore,” Lopez said. “We played three games in eight days, and I can tell you this, we basically couldn’t practice. It was at best a walk-through. They get out, warm up, jog a little bit, stretch a little bit. Some guys couldn’t even take a jog because they were so beat up. And when you throw travel in on top of that, the question becomes how can you keep going?” “Recovery” has become the new catchphrase in the NFL. Like every other team, the Ravens have their strengths and weaknesses. They have ample depth at running back and in the secondary, but injuries at outside linebacker or on the offensive line would cause serious problems. The Ravens understand the situation, but they can’t complain, not in the public relations-conscious NFL. If you step out a line, a fine will be coming soon. Greedy owners don’t want to talk about multiple games being played in a short window of time because that would affect their cash flow. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens are seeing the roster limitations brought on by Lamar Jackson’s contract Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to wear new ‘Purple Rising’ helmet in Week 10 ‘Thursday Night Football’ tilt vs. Bengals Baltimore Ravens | 2 ex-Ravens are investing in a cleat company that they hope can change football Baltimore Ravens | For a slimmer and faster Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, the game is slowing down Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OLB David Ojabo is 100% ready to chase quarterbacks But if player performance and production starts to slip, will that change the direction of where this league appears to be headed? “The Ravens’ success during this stretch will depend on how well they can manage these challenges and maintain their health and performance through the postseason,” said Austin Dews, 26, a Ravens fan, Parkville resident and support specialist for the Veterans Administration. It’s all starting to get out of control as the NFL looks to play more games overseas, which will require more travel time. Until someone speaks up, it’s about money first and player safety is secondary. “The idea of having guys that are 300-plus pounds out there pounding the hell out of each other and playing that many games over a short period of days, I don’t know how you recover,” Lopez said. “When you throw all the travel in on top of it and then you look at the Ravens’ schedule, you go, ‘Holy crap, it’s just crazy.’ “It’s just mind-boggling to see a sport push itself more and more. It’s absolute insanity right now.” View the full article

The Ravens signed quarterback Lamar Jackson to a five-year, $260 million megadeal in April 2023. Now, as they get set to embark on the 2024 season, they are finding out the true cost of the contract. “We may have a couple of hiccups along the way,” general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged Thursday when asked about the offensive line, which will have three new starters, including what is expected to be a pair of first-year players in guard Andrew Vorhees and rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten. “I think we’ve started to build from the bottom up, and I think a year from now, we’ll be in a great place.” In some ways, it was a stunning if not revelatory statement from DeCosta, whose stated expectation every season is to win the Super Bowl. But it’s also a cold splash of reality. While the NFL salary cap shot up more than $30 million from $224.8 million in 2023 to $255.4 million this season, the increase did not translate into Baltimore being able to afford to sign a top-tier free agent offensive lineman as it moved on from veteran guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson and traded aging right tackle Morgan Moses. The Ravens also had to dish out money elsewhere, notably signing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who was entering the final year of his rookie contract, to a four-year, $98 million extension after he led all NFL interior linemen with 13 sacks last season. DeCosta also made a relatively small free agent splurge in signing four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry for $16 million over two years — and he saved some money in getting injury-prone left tackle Ronnie Stanley to restructure his pricey contract. And even before Jackson’s contract, Baltimore had big money committed to a handful of spots across its roster. Also eating into the salary cap is the five-year, $100 million contract of Roquan Smith, whom the Ravens signed in January 2023 after acquiring the All-Pro inside linebacker from the Chicago Bears via trade midway through the 2022 season. Meanwhile, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who is signed through the 2026 season, will count $22.877 million against the cap this year, $25.127 million next season and $22.927 million in 2026 (though it seems unlikely that contract will play out as is without at least getting restructured or the veteran corner getting jettisoned because of his high salary). Then, of course, there’s Jackson. His salary cap numbers help paint the picture of the challenges DeCosta and the Ravens are facing when it comes to having perhaps the league’s best player. A $22.15 million dent last year was followed by a $32.4 million hit this season. The numbers only go up from there — $43.65 million in 2025 and $74.65 million in 2026 and 2027 (though those last two figures will never become reality as Jackson would likely want an extension by then, thus recalculating the numbers). Other ancillary factors have played a part, too. Even before Lamar Jackson’s contract, the Ravens had big money committed to a handful of spots across their roster. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Amid contract negotiations last offseason, Jackson requested that DeCosta sign free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Though Beckham was coming off a year away from football after the second torn ACL of his career, the general manager obliged, signing the then-30-year-old veteran for one year and $15 million — a significantly higher amount than Beckham’s other main suitor, the New York Jets, were reportedly willing to pay him. Beckham finished with 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns, though he was a valuable locker-room presence to a young wide receiver group. Meanwhile, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum will be eligible for extensions next year and figure to be among the highest-paid players at their positions. Cornerback Brandon Stephens, who blossomed last season, is in the final year of his rookie contract and is another player DeCosta would like to keep in Baltimore. But committing all that money to a handful of spots comes at a price. Baltimore is currently $3.579 million over the cap and will restructure some contracts to get compliant. A lack of flexibility has been evident — not just in building this year’s offensive line, but elsewhere on the roster, with the Ravens also thin and lacking quality veteran depth at quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive line. It has been evident on the field at times, too, most recently in the 30-7 hammering Baltimore took against the Packers in Green Bay in last Saturday’s preseason finale. “If you looked at our games — the Packers game, let’s face it, it was kind of a joke,” DeCosta said. “It was hard to watch in a lot of ways. I couldn’t wait for the game to be over.” Still, when it comes to Jackson’s deal, there is value — and there has been a lot of return on investment. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: With ‘crazy’ Ravens schedule, NFL puts money above player safety | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to wear new ‘Purple Rising’ helmet in Week 10 ‘Thursday Night Football’ tilt vs. Bengals Baltimore Ravens | 2 ex-Ravens are investing in a cleat company that they hope can change football Baltimore Ravens | For a slimmer and faster Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, the game is slowing down Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OLB David Ojabo is 100% ready to chase quarterbacks At the time he signed it, he was momentarily the highest-paid player in the NFL in terms of total money and average annual salary ($52 million). Since then, he has slipped to fifth and seventh, respectively, but is coming off being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player for a second time and last year posted career highs in passing yards and completion percentage. Of the players being paid more than Jackson, only Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has won a Super Bowl and is the lone one from the group to join Jackson in having twice been named the NFL’s MVP. “Unfortunately, with a salary-cap league, you just can’t build a team up with veterans at every position,” DeCosta said. “And so, you have to pay players, but you also understand you have to draft and you have to develop young players as well, and we have started to do that on the offensive line. “[I’m] excited about Roger [Rosengarten]. I’m excited about Andrew Vorhees. I’m excited for the future.” Perhaps so, but that might not bode well for the present and the goal of getting to this year’s Super Bowl. View the full article

The Ravens will make history on Nov. 7 when they take the field for their Week 10 “Thursday Night Football” showdown against the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. That’s when they will debut a “Purple Rising” helmet, marking the first time in team history that they will wear a helmet that is not black. The alternate helmet is primarily purple, with gold stripes down the middle and the team’s alternate bird head logo outlined in gold. The rest of the uniform will feature Baltimore’s alternate purple jersey and pants combination, last worn in 2022 in a home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. “The reaction to our Purple Rising helmet launch from both players and fans was extremely positive,” Ravens senior vice president of marketing Brad Downs said in a statement. “We can’t wait to debut it in front of a national audience and huge Baltimore crowd this November.” It’s also not the only alternate look the Ravens will display this season. In a Week 4 game against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on “Sunday Night Football,” Baltimore will wear its all-black uniforms as part of its “Darkness Falls” campaign. Guests of the game in addition to being encouraged to wear all black will receive light-up wristbands that correspond to the night’s entertainment. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 2 ex-Ravens are investing in a cleat company that they hope can change football Baltimore Ravens | For a slimmer and faster Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, the game is slowing down Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OLB David Ojabo is 100% ready to chase quarterbacks Baltimore Ravens | TE Qadir Ismail, son of Qadry Ismail, is among Ravens’ practice squad additions Baltimore Ravens | An NFL defensive coordinator at age 32? Ravens’ Zach Orr is ‘that special of a guy.’ Last season, the Ravens wore all black in their Week 11 win at home over the Bengals on “Thursday Night Football.” “Sexy,” was how Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson described the all-black look ahead of the game last season. “That’s a sexy color. I like the color.” Outside linebacker Roquan Smith also liked what he saw. “I think of just physical, death row-type defense,” he said. “That’s what I think of when I see black. It’s more of like, ‘OK, show me what you’re about, because, if not, I’m going to show you.’” The Ravens went on to win the game but lost tight end Mark Andrews to an ankle injury in the process. View the full article

Todd Heap was scrolling through Instagram when he saw a video that piqued his interest. The former longtime Ravens tight end quickly dove down the rabbit hole. He watched every video and read every post about this newly formed company, Caddix, trying to revolutionize cleats that alleviate injuries without sacrificing performance. It had all the makings of a successful venture, Heap thought. So he called his former teammate-turned-business-partner, Dennis Pitta. After learning more about Caddix and meeting with its 29-year-old founder Jack Rasmussen, of Catonsville, Heap and Pitta bought in. On Thursday, the two Ravens legends announced their investment in Caddix and acceptance of advisory roles with the cleat company. “To be very frank,” said Pitta, a six-year tight end and 2013 Super Bowl champion with Baltimore, “guys probably don’t pay a lot of attention to their cleats, and cleats haven’t changed a lot throughout the course of my lifetime. … There hasn’t been much innovation.” Rasmussen’s cleat uses Caddix SmartStuds to reduce the rotational force responsible for knee and ankle injuries — the highest burden of injury in terms of time lost among NFL players, according to league data. About a decade ago, Rasmussen was sitting at home watching football with his dad and Caddix’s co-founder, Jeff, when a player’s foot cut into the grass and his knee gave out. Watching an open-field ACL tear on TV felt like a call to action. “I kind of became obsessed with it,” Rasmussen said. He was living in his parents’ garage trying to figure out the way cleats worked — how they spin and give and rotate and interact with real versus artificial grass. He read all sorts of dissertations and extensive studies that, Rasmussen admitted, he wasn’t mentally equipped for. The early designs were him throwing ideas at a wall until something stuck. What he eventually created was a cleat with studs that flex slightly — enough to reduce the risk of injury but not so much that the athlete can feel the difference. The two former Ravens share in other business ventures but this one was sparked by lived experience. Pitta injured his hip multiple times on noncontact plays, which prematurely ended his career. Heap missed 10 games because of an ankle injury in 2004 — a year after artificial turf was installed at M&T Bank Stadium. “I remember the feeling distinctly of my cleat getting stuck in the turf,” said Heap, a member of the Ravens’ Ring of Honor. “If there was any type movement, any type of release or reduction in torque or force, would it have changed my career?” Caddix launched in January, and one of its videos has surpassed 1.3 million views on Instagram. One of those views was from Heap. Rasmussen’s direct messages were flooded but Heap’s name jumped off the page. “I’m like, there’s no way. There’s gotta be two Todd Heaps in the world,” the lifelong Ravens fan said. Heap confirmed it was him and told Rasmussen he was interested in the product. He had “a million questions” and said if Rasmussen was ever in Phoenix they should grab lunch. “Oh, yeah,” he said, “I’m always in Phoenix.” Rasmussen is never in Phoenix. But he wasn’t about to tell Heap that. He happened to be in Colorado, got in his car and drove about 12 hours to meet him, breaking bread and giving his pitch. Then Heap and Pitta were introduced to the rest of Rasmussen’s team. Part of the process of due diligence, Heap said, before investing their time and resources. Dr. Kirk McCullough, who worked as the Kansas City Chiefs team doctor and on the NFL Foot and Ankle Committee, was a major selling point. I-Generator founders Peter Rueeger and Michael Steszyn have worked with every major shoe brand. Now, they’re helping Caddix with material and design consulting. “They have a high-level team and they’re doing things the right way,” Pitta said. “That, first and foremost, allows you to believe that this could be something important.” Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunFormer Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta, shown before a 2013 game against the Vikings, had his career cut short by injuries. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Both Heap’s and Pitta’s first concern was whether an athlete would feel the design change. Or worse, whether it might hinder performance. Those fears were alleviated once they tried the cleats out for themselves. Heap also gave his son a pair the cleats to test, too, and “he hasn’t taken them off his feet since he put them on.” Rasmussen joked that his two Ravens business partners are one call away from just about anybody on the planet. They’ve helped introduce the product to numerous former teammates. Rasmussen even made it to a practice in Owings Mills to show coach John Harbaugh, who gave his daughter a pair of girls soccer cleats. Joe Flacco, who threw to both Heap and Pitta in Baltimore, has been rocking an Indianapolis Colts-inspired blue-and-white pair through his new team’s preseason. Pitta said his old quarterback, now 39 years old, plans to wear them into the regular season, too. “He doesn’t have any financial involvement,” Pitta said, “but he believes in the product because he’s tested it firsthand.” Between Rasmussen, a Maryland native, and Heap and Pitta — two NFL veterans who consider Baltimore home — there’s been some push for targeting local. The trio even filmed a commercial last month taking the cleats around the city and into M&T Bank Stadium. Caddix plans to release its cleats to the public in December. “The coolest part about this for us,” Pitta said, “not only it’s a great product but the fact that it’s a Baltimore-based company is really cool. We can kind of help grow and be a part of a Baltimore company and just continue to have those Baltimore ties in our lives. I think that means the most to both Todd and I.” View the full article

“You must be waiting for the fastest slow person in the building,” the female security guard standing outside the door leading from the Ravens’ practice field to the locker room said with an impish smile in the searing heat of the late afternoon summer sun. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is only a blur between the lines. Away from them, he often takes a more measured pace, like when this past offseason he attempted to give a friend a tattoo, carefully trying his skills with an ink gun. “Horrible,” he said of his tattooing ability as he sat down for a recent interview with The Baltimore Sun. “On a scale of 1 to 10, a zero.” Jackson’s skills with a football in hand, of course, rate much higher. It’s why he has been popping up all over the place in recent months — Paris for Fashion Week, New York for a Men’s Health workout video, and Las Vegas where this past February he became the youngest player at age 27 to collect a second NFL Most Valuable Player Award. It was a brief and bittersweet trip, however, with the more elusive Vince Lombardi Trophy handed out a few days later to the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, who beat the Ravens in the AFC championship game on their way to a second straight title and third in five years. It was in that loss to the Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium that Jackson made one of the more indelible plays in a long list of them — one that was as much emblematic of his dazzling talents but also perhaps of Baltimore’s shortcomings in its quest for its first Super Bowl title in more than a decade. With the Ravens trailing 14-7 with 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the first half and searching to find any kind of rhythm, Jackson dropped back to pass on second-and-5 from his own 18-yard line when blitzing safety Justin Reid batted the quarterback’s attempted dump-off to running back Justice Hill in the left flat skyward. Jackson tracked and chased down the fluttering ball, caught it and raced forward. The official stat line reads, “L. Jackson pass short left to L. Jackson to BLT 31 for 13 yards,” but it was the shoestring tackle by linebacker Drue Tranquill that lingered long after. “I want that to be a touchdown,” Jackson told The Sun when asked which play he would want back from last season. “That would’ve changed the dynamic of the game if I would’ve scored.” And in years past, perhaps he would have. “I was fat,” continues Jackson, noting his weight loss from 230 pounds two seasons ago to 210 last year to about 200 currently. “I had to lose some weight. No way a linebacker should be able to dive and grab my legs like that.” Instead of a potentially history-altering score, the drive ended in a punt. Baltimore knows the rest. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is entering his seventh year in the NFL. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Months later, the painful sting of that defeat has subsided, washed away by the optimism of a new season. But if there was one thing Jackson’s first trip to a conference championship exposed — as if anyone needs to be reminded — it’s that the Ravens can’t solely rely on their star quarterback, even as his successes portend the team’s. There are other reasons for hope in 2024, though — notably Jackson’s increased comfort and involvement in Year 2 of coordinator Todd Monken’s offense after career highs in passing yards and completion percentage, the addition of four-time Pro Bowl running back and two-time NFL rushing champ Derrick Henry, and the burgeoning symmetry between the quarterback and second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers as well as emerging tight end Isaiah Likely. “You would hope it’s only going to get better, and it has,” Monken said. “Systematically and individually, it’s been a great offseason, and he’s been great.” How so? “Just how we do it,” Monken continued. “Just so we are on the same page probably. How do we streamline it to where we are on the same page? Players can anticipate calls, can anticipate situations where we want to go A, B, C, D each week. What are our staples that we want to be able to get to? So, eliminate as much of the guesswork as you can.” With less guesswork and more understanding of one another, Jackson says he appreciates the autonomy afforded him under Monken. One of the more entertaining examples last season came ahead of a key Week 16 showdown against the Miami Dolphins with the top seed in the AFC on the line. Jackson told Monken he was going to drop back as if he were left-handed in the game after having done so successfully in practice. The result of the play was a 75-yard bomb to Flowers with safety Javon Holland crossed up by the quarterback’s movement. “I’m listening to coach, seeing his vision, but certain things I see on the field or what I see on film, I’ll pitch my ideas,” Jackson says. “He’s a smart guy. He has answers. He’ll let me know right away. If he didn’t think about something, we can talk about it or he already has the answer on why we shouldn’t do this or should do that.” Having Henry, who last season rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns and four years ago topped the 2,000-yard mark, should take some pressure off, too. The Ravens are long familiar with the 6-foot-2, 247-pound bruiser, whom they tried to acquire just ahead of the trade deadline last year. In Jackson’s other NFL MVP season, 2019, Henry decimated their defense in the playoffs with 198 yards on 30 carries for the Titans in a stunning 28-12 divisional round upset in Baltimore. And even at age 30 — a time when most backs’ production falls off a cliff — he has shown little in the way of slowing down. In his final game for Tennessee last season, Henry gashed the Houston Texans for 153 yards and hit 21.7 mph in the process, according to Next Gen Stats. But perhaps most intriguing or promising are the bonds Jackson has forged with Flowers and Likely. Lamar Jackson, left, has forged bonds with wide receiver Zay Flowers, middle, and tight end Isaiah Likely, right. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The day after last season’s AFC title game — during which Flowers had a critical fumble as he stretched for the goal line in the fourth quarter — the quarterback visited the wide receiver’s home. He wanted to enlighten the then-rookie to the kind of reaction that would follow and to let him know the outcome was bigger than just one play. It was a big brother moment of sorts, which is how Jackson describes his relationship with the fellow South Floridian, but it wasn’t the only one. The two spent part of their offseason working out and hanging out. On the youth field where Jackson competed against Flowers’ brothers as a member of the Pompano Beach Cowboys, Flowers caught one pass after another from the quarterback. Off it, they grew even closer. “We were just working on timing, and sometimes it was me adding something to the top of the route or me doing a move that he likes,” Flowers told The Sun. “It’s just good being around each other. You don’t have to throw to have a connection — it’s better to throw, but hanging out and being with somebody, that will give you more of a feeling of how a person is.” Jackson is already well-acquainted with how Likely is and what his impact could be. Over his first two seasons, he has 66 catches for 784 yards and eight touchdowns, five of which came last year. He’s been a more than sufficient fill-in for when Mark Andrews has suffered injuries the past two years, including last season when he missed the final six games of the regular season and the divisional round of the playoffs. But this year, Jackson’s eyes widen over the possibilities and expectations of having Andrews and Likely on the field at the same time — and for good reason. Last year, the Ravens were one of the best teams in the NFL at getting a first down or scoring a touchdown when Andrews and Likely were both on the field. But it was a rare occurrence. According to TruMedia, Andrews and Likely were on the field for just 6.9% of Jackson’s passes. “That’s a two-headed monster right there,” Jackson says. “This year [Likely] is gonna be out of this world. We’ve seen it in practice. Every day he’s making something happen making a spectacular catch.” Jackson notes one play in particular that happened in a walk-through practice not open to the media when he threw a high pass against a quarters defense in which Likely went up and snared the overthrown ball with one hand while falling to the ground. “We were like ‘What the heck?’” Jackson said. “He’s what a quarterback wants.” Yet, there were and still are times when Jackson’s footwork can get sloppy, leading to inaccurate throws, short and deep. Other times, he has struggled to remain consistent in his progressions. But there’s been plenty of progress, too. Jackson has more input and better command of the offense. Last season, his scrambles outpaced his designed runs for the first time. And he often stayed behind the line — sometimes admittedly to his detriment — buying time with his feet as he worked to his third or even fourth target. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 2 ex-Ravens are investing in a cleat company that they hope can change football Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OLB David Ojabo is 100% ready to chase quarterbacks Baltimore Ravens | TE Qadir Ismail, son of Qadry Ismail, is among Ravens’ practice squad additions Baltimore Ravens | An NFL defensive coordinator at age 32? Ravens’ Zach Orr is ‘that special of a guy.’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ initial 53-man roster is set: Beau Brade, Rasheen Ali, Sanoussi Kane make cut Now in his seventh year in the league, Jackson attributes his growth and understanding of the scheme to being older and more mature as a player. “The game has slowed down a little for me,” he told The Sun. “I can react faster to certain things.” Coach John Harbaugh has been unusually effusive in his praise, particularly earlier in training camp when he put Jackson on an even higher pedestal. “The vision that we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become and be known and be recognized as the greatest quarterback ever to play in the history of the National Football League,” he said. “That’s the vision. It’s going to happen by Lamar, his work ethic and his brilliant talent, by all of us pouring into that effort, together as a team, teamwork, and by the grace of God and God’s goodwill. That’s how it’s going to happen. And I believe it like we’ve already seen it.” Jackson demurred. “I’m not the GOAT, Tom Brady [is] the GOAT,” he said. “Yes, I believe that’s motivation — I appreciate that; I’m still on my way.” View the full article

David Ojabo did not think much of it at first — a sprained ankle suffered when an Indianapolis Colts blocker rolled up on his leg in the third game of last season. Ojabo had recorded his first sack of the year in the season opener and had played 70% of the Ravens’ defensive snaps in Week 2, signs he was on track for the breakout he and many others expected after he spent most of his rookie season rehabilitating a torn Achilles tendon. Surely, a throbbing ankle would not derail him for long. And then Ojabo’s knee began to swell. Six days after the Colts game, the Ravens placed him on injured reserve. Coach John Harbaugh talked of “some decisions that have to be made, that he has to make.” Almost a year later, Ojabo is at peace with the route he chose — surgery to repair a partially torn ACL instead of gritting his teeth and playing at less than his best. The 24-year-old outside linebacker is also acutely aware that he’s played just five NFL games in two years. He faces urgent pressure to drag his career back on track. If it does not happen in 2024, the chorus of skeptics crying “bust” will be emboldened. On top of that, the Ravens need him to become the dynamic edge rusher he was projected to be after he produced 11 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles in his one season as a starter at Michigan. Scouts who watched him spin and stutter step past helpless college blockers said he would be a first-round pick until his Achilles gave out during a pre-draft workout. Many saw it as a steal when the Ravens swooped in to take him in the second round. Their upside play has not worked out so far, but with their top edge rusher from 2023, Jadeveon Clowney, now in Carolina, they need Ojabo to complement his close friend, Odafe Oweh, and veteran Kyle Van Noy. “There’s no better feeling than that,” Ojabo said of the team’s high expectations for him. “We all want to feel like we’re special [and] feel like we’re depended on, and it’s on me to put in the work to make that vision come to life. So, it’s a blessing, man.” Doctors finally cleared Ojabo for game action in the Ravens’ second preseason contest against the Atlanta Falcons. He looked better than ever, bursting off the edge for a hurry and a quarterback hit and holding his ground against outside runs. “I kind of expect him to play like that, but to see it out there the very first game, it was really neat because he wasn’t tentative at all,” Harbaugh said. “He was in a good mindset — in a game-day mindset, and he hadn’t played that much in the last couple of years, so that was a quite a statement from him that way. Really, the way he’s been practicing is the way he played, so that’s what you want to see.” “We all want to feel like we’re special [and] feel like we’re depended on, and it’s on me to put in the work to make that vision come to life,” Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo said. “So, it’s a blessing, man.”As encouraging as the performance was for Ojabo and Ravens coaches, it was equally so for his closest teammates, who spent every day with him through the disappointments of last year. Earlier in the summer, Oweh, who has been tight with Ojabo since they were high school teammates at Blair Academy in New Jersey, said: “He’s just waiting to show you guys all that, when it’s sharpened and ready.” He had worked beside Ojabo in Atlanta under the watchful eye of pass rush instructor Dez Walker and sensed the storm brewing in his friend. “I have complete faith in him,” Oweh said. When you talk with Ojabo about his travails, the word faith comes up in a hurry. Yes, he hated not being able to do his job, help his team, chase quarterbacks alongside his buddies. But he did not curse fate. Instead, he leaned on the unbreakable trust he feels in God, his tight-knit family and friends such as Oweh and Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. “ just stayed prayed up,” he said. “I have a very strong family. I have a good base around here. ‘Dafe’ [Odafe Oweh] is like my brother, ‘Beeks’ [Justin Madubiuke is] like my brother, so I live through them. Those three things — God, family, friends — I really honed in on that, and of course, the work, man. Nothing comes easy, so I just put my head down and worked. That’s all I know, so I’m right back.” Harbaugh noticed how Ojabo remained centered despite the gnawing disappointment of two lost seasons. He didn’t need to do anything special to lift the young pass rusher’s spirits. “I can’t tell you how many conversations David and I have had that are just awesome conversations — about a lot of things,” Harbaugh said. “He’s very smart, [and] he’s a very deep thinker — kind of a philosopher, he really is, and I learn a lot talking to him. He’s kept his head on straight and keeps things in perspective. He’s got a really strong family. I don’t know that I really had to say anything other than the fact that conversation is good sometimes, but he’s been in a good place. I think he gets down because he wants to get out there and contribute, and he wants to be a part of it, but he’s excited to get going.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 2 ex-Ravens are investing in a cleat company that they hope can change football Baltimore Ravens | For a slimmer and faster Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, the game is slowing down Baltimore Ravens | TE Qadir Ismail, son of Qadry Ismail, is among Ravens’ practice squad additions Baltimore Ravens | An NFL defensive coordinator at age 32? Ravens’ Zach Orr is ‘that special of a guy.’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ initial 53-man roster is set: Beau Brade, Rasheen Ali, Sanoussi Kane make cut Between his rehabilitation work with doctors and trainers and his fine-tuning under Walker and Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith, Ojabo did not hesitate to answer “yes sir” when asked recently if he’s 100% ready for the season. His thoughtfulness was apparent when he explained why he’s feeling so upbeat. He pointed to the experience of his new defensive coordinator, Zach Orr, who learned he had a career-ending congenital spine condition just as he completed his best season with the Ravens. Ojabo draws from that not a parable of disappointment but one on cherishing these moments. “You never know when it’s going to be your last snap,” he said. “I’m in a very blessed position playing in the NFL for one of the best organizations, so every day I’m out here, [I’m] smiling through it and making it my best day.” Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo flashed his immense potential in his return to action Aug. 17 against the Falcons. (Terrance Williams/AP) View the full article

A familiar name will be with the Ravens this season. Tight end Qadir Ismail, the son of former Baltimore wide receiver Qadry Ismail, was signed to the practice squad on Wednesday, a day after getting cut and then clearing waivers, a source with direct knowledge of the move confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The undrafted free agent is one of what is expected to be 16 players who will make up the group. “The thing that comes to mind is how I proud I am of him,” Qadry Ismail, who spent 10 years in the NFL with five teams and spent several years as the Ravens’ radio color commentator, told The Baltimore Sun. “Knowing the work that we put into it and then for him to get into camp and to have the type of camp that he had just shows his dedication to his craft and getting better. [I have] great appreciation for the Ravens as an organization and I’m very humble and grateful for it all.” Ismail was one of several additions confirmed by The Sun as of early Wednesday afternoon. Also returning after being waived is rookie sixth-round draft pick quarterback Devin Leary, who despite struggling in the preseason and completing just 15 of 28 passes for 95 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in three games, was re-signed. Viewed as a developmental prospect with a big arm and good athleticism, he is currently behind two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and 38-year-old veteran Josh Johnson on the depth chart. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | An NFL defensive coordinator at age 32? Ravens’ Zach Orr is ‘that special of a guy.’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ initial 53-man roster is set: Beau Brade, Rasheen Ali, Sanoussi Kane make cut Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 26, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens have started trimming their roster and made decisions on their OL. Here’s what we know. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection as final cuts loom: ‘Important evaluations’ Others who were cut but re-signed with the practice squad, according to sources with direct knowledge, included running backs Chris Collier and John Kelly, wide receivers Malik Cunningham and Dayton Wade, cornerback Ka’Dar Hollman, defensive lineman C.J. Ravenell, inside linebacker Josh Ross, outside linebacker Joe Evans and guard Darrian Dalcourt. Baltimore can have as many as 16 players on its practice squad with an additional spot allowed for anyone from the NFL’s International Player Pathway. The Ravens also did not have any players claimed by other teams following Tuesday’s cuts, nor did they claim any on waivers. Practice squads are allowed a maximum of 10 players who have zero to two years of NFL experience and a maximum of six players with unlimited accrued time. This article will be updated. View the full article

Terrance Orr II worried over his younger brother’s state of mind. Zach Orr had been at the height of his powers as a Ravens linebacker when a doctor told him the devastating news: His spine was a ticking time bomb because of a rare congenital abnormality. There he was on their parents’ couch in DeSoto, Texas — 24 years old, strong, fast and smart as he had ever been, but all he could do was sit and watch old highlights, thinking about what was supposed to be. Terrance II reacted to this dismaying sight like the football coach he is. “I just told him, ‘Look, man, you can’t physically play, but the love is still there,'” he recalled. “So I said, ‘Why not go into coaching and have the same output and input you did on the field, but just do it at a different level?'” It was the type of “what’s next” message the four Orr brothers — Zach is the second oldest — had heard again and again from the exacting, caring coaches who’d helped them transcend physical limitations to play college and professional football. Though their father, Terry, had played tight end in the NFL, they always saw themselves as underdogs who needed to prepare harder and smarter than the blue-chip prospects (future All-Pro Von Miller was one DeSoto contemporary) around them. Why couldn’t Zach Orr, who has a tattoo that reads “Hard Work Pays Off” on his left leg, apply that same mentality to the unwanted transition in front of him? It has been seven years now since those gloomy days on the couch, and Orr is, at age 32, the Ravens’ new defensive coordinator, a coaching prodigy already touted as a candidate to run his own team in the not-distant future. He will enter this season as the subject of intense scrutiny because he’s stepping in for his friend and mentor Mike Macdonald, who transformed the team’s defense into the NFL’s best and most innovative. A vocal contingent of fans thought so highly of Macdonald that they wanted him to succeed John Harbaugh after the Ravens’ loss in the AFC championship game. Instead, he left to coach the Seattle Seahawks and tried to take Orr with him. Orr opted to stay and put his own imprint on the defense he helped Macdonald build. “Zach’s going to do an awesome job,” Macdonald said. “What I would say is, ‘Trust your vision for how you want it to be.’ And the thing I know about Zach is he’s going to pursue that relentlessly until it’s the way he envisions it. That’s the jump.” Macdonald doesn’t believe Orr’s climb will stop with running one of the league’s top defenses: “He’s going to be a head coach. It’s just going to happen. He’s that special of a guy.” Players cheered Zach Orr’s promotion, noting his gift for bonding with each of them and the aggressive spirit he’ll preach in keeping with the franchise’s vaunted defensive tradition. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Players cheered Orr’s promotion, noting his gift for bonding with each of them and the aggressive spirit he’ll preach in keeping with the franchise’s vaunted defensive tradition. “As a rookie, coming in every day, you don’t know what to expect, and [Zach] was always that guy that was a little touchpoint for me; like, ‘Hey, I’ve been through it. I know what’s going on,'” All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said. “It’s cool to see both of us have grown these past couple years. Probably nobody here was even thinking of him as a [defensive coordinator] two years ago, and now look at him.” From a football family The speed of Orr’s ascent was improbable — many of his contemporaries are still playing — but the seeds were apparent to those who watched him climb that first mountain to become a starting NFL linebacker. Terry Orr did not push his boys to follow in his footsteps. In fact, he stopped watching the NFL altogether after his career as a tight end concluded in 1993, in part because he broke four bones in his back. When he coached Zach’s youth team in Virginia, he declined to participate in the preseason draft, content to take his son and all the kids no one else wanted. Just have the most fun, he told them, even as Zach bristled at the team’s winless record. Terry would have felt just fine if his boys never played past that level. But he moved the family back to Texas, where football was as essential as air, water and daily prayers. A visiting family friend once asked Terry why there were so many hulking college stadiums in his community. “Those are for the high schools,” he said. The kids dug out old VHS tapes of his games. They went at it tooth and nail in the backyard, in pee-wee, anywhere they could find competition. “Being a coach now, I’m grateful our father didn’t push us,” Orr’s older brother said. “Kids who are self-motivated end up more successful. It was something we decided to do, and because of that, we gave it everything we’ve got.” Brian Stansberry was an early influence on all four Orr brothers, spotting their promise in junior high physical education class and nurturing the nose-to-nose feistiness that made them naturals on defense at DeSoto High, where he coached the linebackers. “Good priorities and good habits,” Stansberry said when asked what distinguished sixth grade Zach Orr. “He was about being the best version of himself every day. When you’re a winner, you never think you’re doing enough.” He soaked up the daily 6:30 a.m. film sessions before the first school bell. Meanwhile, Rita Orr — the most assertive family member — shaped her sons’ communication skills, insisting they stand up to speak in church and go out for school plays. The Orr brothers never struggled to command respect. If Terry was away, Terrance II or Zach thought nothing of stepping in to coach one of their younger brothers’ rec league teams. “Zach’s always right,” his father said, laughing. “No matter what the topic is, it’s gonna be real hard to convince him he’s wrong.” ‘He’s still that undrafted player’ Orr called the signals for coach Claude Mathis’ defense at DeSoto High. After the big college programs ignored him, he stayed close to home to become a three-year captain and all-conference linebacker at North Texas. After NFL evaluators turned up their noses at his suboptimal height, he needed just three seasons to go from undrafted free agent to leading the 2016 Ravens with 133 tackles. Then, it all evaporated with the devastating news about his neck. He could have stayed on his parents’ couch cursing his fate far longer than he did, but his brother’s urging worked on him. Then came a serendipitous phone call from Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, Harbaugh and owner Steve Bisciotti. “You’re coming right back up here and getting ready to work with us,” they told him. Orr was a coach. The hours were longer, the pay and notoriety less, but he recognized that so much of his life preparation also applied to this new vocation, way back to hearing his father talk about how Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs was a teacher at heart. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr has plenty of experience as a former player and assistant coach, but he’s never called plays before. (Kim Hairston/Staff) “It’s not an easy thing going from playing to coaching. It’s a different perspective,” Macdonald said. “He was so smart as a player that I wasn’t surprised by his acumen, but it was just so seamless. He could connect with players and people so well. He could give our perspective to the players, because he still had those relationships from playing with the guys, but he also could draw the line and provide the same perspective to us.” Terry Orr was not surprised his son became a star apprentice to Macdonald, who’s also sharp and confident beyond his years. “They’re like the same person,” he said. When Macdonald came back to Baltimore to take over the defense after a year at Michigan, he asked the Ravens to get Orr, who’d spent the 2021 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. To those who know Orr best, the challenge of replacing Macdonald feels like just another on the pile. He was never the biggest or fastest player on any team. High-major recruiters and NFL scouts didn’t pay him much mind. None of that stopped him from starting for the Ravens in the spot once occupied by Ray Lewis. So why would anything stop him from becoming a stellar defensive coordinator? Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ initial 53-man roster is set: Beau Brade, Rasheen Ali, Sanoussi Kane make cut Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 26, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens have started trimming their roster and made decisions on their OL. Here’s what we know. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection as final cuts loom: ‘Important evaluations’ Baltimore Ravens | Keaton Mitchell has ‘a different type of speed.’ The Ravens hope they see it again soon. “Zach is right now one of the youngest [coordinators] in the NFL, so people are going to doubt him, say he doesn’t have any play-calling experience,” Terrance II said. “But he’s always been the underdog. To me, that’s his core identity. That’s where we get our coaching identity from. In his mind, he’s still that undrafted player.” Orr’s defense wasted no time putting its punishing stamp on training camp practices. “Those guys look like the throwback Ravens defense,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “Bloodshed, a lot of smack talk and a lot of big hits.” Orr coached the linebackers for Macdonald, building deep rapport with Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, but players from other position groups also felt he was “their guy” because of his natural gregariousness. He “has no poker face” in Macdonald’s words, so his enthusiasm for the art and violence of defense brims over at every turn. That part was a given. But would he feel out of sorts when it was finally his turn to make final play decisions from the sideline in the Ravens’ first preseason game? “Actually,” Orr said, “it felt pretty natural.” View the full article

Beau Brade grew up a Ravens fan. Now, the former River Hill and Maryland standout will get to live out a childhood dream and play for them this season. The rookie safety was among those to be announced as part of Baltimore’s initial roster for the 2024 season Tuesday, the deadline for NFL teams to trim their rosters to 53 players. “Growing up, this is the team I wanted to play for,” Brade told The Baltimore Sun last week. “My time here, of course, it’s been a dream. But it wasn’t a dream to really get here, it’s a dream to stay here and get to Super Bowls. I’ve been doing all I can to make this team and become the best player that I can be. Not just for myself but for the team, whatever they need.” The Ravens were the last of the league’s 32 teams to announce their roster. Brade was also the lone undrafted free agent to make the team, and his addition provides depth to what is a talented secondary but one that has seen its share of injuries. Already, the Ravens are without cornerback Arthur Maulet (knee), who has been designated to return, while rookie fourth-round cornerback T.J. Tampa only recently returned from double sports hernia surgery. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and free safety Marcus Williams also missed time last season because of injury. The third River Hill graduate to play in the NFL, along with wide receiver Michael Campanaro and cornerback Kevin Johnson, Brade making the team was not entirely surprising, particularly after flashing throughout the preseason. Over the course of three games, Brade played 153 snaps, including 38 on special teams, and finished with 16 tackles and allowed two catches on seven targets. Meanwhile, there was little in the way of surprise. In all, the Ravens have 10 offensive linemen and 11 defensive backs, as expected. They also waived sixth-round rookie quarterback Devin Leary after a poor preseason, while fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali and seventh-round safety Sanoussi Kane both made the team, which begins the regular season Sept. 5 in Kansas City against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Here’s a look at the roster: Quarterback (2) Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson Running back (3) Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali Wide receiver (6) Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Deonte Harty, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker Tight end/fullback (4) Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard Offensive line (10) Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Roger Rosengarten, Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, Josh Jones, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Nick Samac Defensive line (5) Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Brent Urban, Broderick Washington Outside linebacker (5) Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac Inside linebacker (4) Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Malik Harrison, Chris Board Cornerback (5) Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis Safety (6) Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson, Ar’Darius Washington, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade Special teams (3) Justin Tucker, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore Designated to return from injured reserve CB Arthur Maulet (knee) Reserve/physically unable to perform list RB Keaton Mitchell Season-ending injured reserve RB Owen Wright, WR Isaiah Washington, ILB Deion Jennings, DB Christian Matthew, CB Trayvon Mullen This article will be updated. View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, throws as back-up Devin Leary looks on during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens offensive line coach George Warhop, left, talks with tackle Corey Bullock, right, while walking off the field after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running-back Chris Collier, right, takes extra catching drills after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens head coach John Harbaugh conducts practice during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens offensive line coach George Warhop, right, conducts practice during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens offensive line coach George Warhop, right, watches tackle Julian Pearl practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running-back Chris Collier practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running-back Chris Collier practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens cornerback Damarion Williams, right, and safety Marcus Williams, left, practice during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens offensive linemen practice during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens offensive line coach George Warhop, center, conducts practice during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens conner back Nate Wiggins practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens connerback Damarion Williams practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

The Ravens held their final practice of training camp Monday in Owings Mills. Now, all things point to the regular season and Baltimore’s opener against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium. Players will be off the next three days before resuming practice on Friday, but much will happen between now and then. From an injury standpoint, the Ravens are largely in good shape, which is always the first goal of the preseason. Though All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews did not practice Monday because of undisclosed injuries, coach John Harbaugh said he expects them to be back on the field Friday when the team holds its first regular-season practice in preparation for the “Thursday Night Football” opener in a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game. Baltimore also got more good news with the return of Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who hadn’t practiced since Aug. 1 because of a neck injury, though he was in a red non-contact jersey. “There’s no serious injuries,” Harbaugh said. “We’re not gonna get into too much talk about the injuries because, why? It’s a competitive disadvantage to get into what your guys’ injuries are.” He did provide a couple of updates, however. Running back Rasheen Ali, who is competing for the third spot behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, remains in concussion protocol after suffering a stinger in Baltimore’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles and is “iffy,” Harbaugh said, for the Chiefs game. Inside linebacker Josh Ross is also in concussion protocol, Harbaugh said, after getting in a recent car accident. Backup center Nick Samac, meanwhile, was back on the field after suffering what ended up being a sprained ankle in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Packers in Green Bay on Saturday. Offensive line starters One of the more notable topics all summer has been who will start for the Ravens at their two guard spots and at right tackle. Harbaugh said Monday that he has decided but declined to name who will start alongside Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley. “I’m not going to make any announcements on any starting positions going into the Chiefs game,” he said. “What would be the point? We’ll just go play the game.” If the preseason is any indication, however, Andrew Vorhees will get the nod at left guard, Daniel Faalele at right guard and rookie second-round draft pick Roger Rosengarten or versatile veteran Patrick Mekari at right tackle. Another possibility is that Baltimore could rotate between Rosengarten and Mekari. Late last season, the Ravens rotated their tackles with Stanley and Morgan Moses struggling down the stretch. Harbaugh said rotating again could “definitely be a possibility,” though it is not something Baltimore, or any team, likes to do. The Ravens cut wide receiver Sean Ryan on Monday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Roster cuts pending The deadline for the Ravens to trim their roster to 53 players is 4 p.m. Tuesday, but they didn’t wait that long to make at least a few moves. Wide receivers Sean Ryan and Russell Gage, tight ends Mike Rigerman and Riley Sharp, offensive tackle Darrel Simpson, defensive lineman Tramel Walthour and kicker-punter Jack Browning were among those released Monday. “We have a very good idea where we’re at,” Harbaugh said of roster cuts. “There are moving parts.” There are multiple factors in play in those decisions, including players who can contribute on special teams, the roster gymnastics of juggling injuries, and cutting a player only to re-sign him to the roster or practice squad. “We’ve had most of those conversations already,” Harbaugh continued. “We have a plan in place, and then everything is written firmly in chalk.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 26, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection as final cuts loom: ‘Important evaluations’ Baltimore Ravens | Keaton Mitchell has ‘a different type of speed.’ The Ravens hope they see it again soon. Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Joe D’Alessandris left an indelible mark on the Ravens | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris dies at 70: ‘He made us all better’ Remembering Joe D’Alessandris, Jacoby Jones The Ravens are dedicating this season to offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris and former wide receiver and kick returner Jacoby Jones. D’Alessandris, 70, died Sunday after earlier this month being hospitalized with what the team called an acute illness. Jones, 40, died in July from cardiovascular disease. “Those are two people that we’re going to dedicate our season to this year and do everything we can to make them proud of us when they’re watching from where they’re watching,” Harbaugh said. “We appreciate those two great men very much.” Harbaugh added that Stanley and Mekari were among the players who spoke about D’Alessandris during Monday’s team meeting. “His memory is going to be on our minds, and it should be,” Harbaugh said. “It should should motivate us.” View the full article

GREEN BAY, Wis. — A procession of Ravens officials, including team president Sashi Brown and general manager Eric DeCosta, made their way through the crowded hallway leading to the locker room inside the belly of Lambeau Field late Saturday afternoon. Baltimore had just lost its preseason finale to the Packers, 30-7, with sloppy, mistake-filled performance, but more pressing matters lay ahead for DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh. The deadline for NFL teams to trim their rosters from 90 players to 53 is Tuesday at 4 p.m. With the Ravens’ season opener against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs less than two weeks away, important decisions need to be made. Injuries also need to be considered when it comes to putting players on injured reserve, spots that do not count against the active roster. And of course practice squad considerations need to be taken into account, with teams allowed to keep up to 16 more players. “There [are] going to be important evaluations,” Harbaugh said. “I think they’re more individual evaluations than any kind of team evaluations at this point, and that’s what we’ll do.” Here’s what Baltimore’s 53-man roster could look like come Tuesday after those evaluations are made. Quarterback (2) Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson Devin Leary had his worst performance of the preseason Saturday, completing just 6 of 13 passes for 34 yards with two interceptions and a fumble after being strip-sacked. Harbaugh long ago declared Johnson the team’s No. 2 quarterback, and that was likely never changing. A new rule that allows teams unlimited practice squad elevations for emergency third quarterbacks also meant the Ravens were never keeping three. Leary has a big arm but needs a lot of polish, so he’s at best a practice squad project. Running back (3) Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali Before Saturday, Owen Wright looked to have the edge on Ali to be the No. 3 running back, a position that calls for mop-up duty and more importantly, special teams work. But Wright suffered a broken foot, meaning he’s likely headed for injured reserve. That could clear the way for Ali, a fifth-round draft pick out of Marshall who is athletic but has struggled as a rookie. With Keaton Mitchell likely to start the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and expected to return later this season, Baltimore will have a decision to make. Do they keep Ali? Do they sign a veteran free agent? Do they opt for undrafted rookie free agent Chris Collier, who had 42 yards on 13 carries against the Packers? Do they simply keep two running backs and elevate one as need be from the practice squad? Ali was not in uniform Saturday and it’s unclear if he’s dealing with an injury after previously missing some time with a stinger. Ravens rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker could be a candidate for injured reserve, which would keep him out of at least the first four games. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Wide receiver (6) Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Deonte Harty, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker The most intriguing question with this group involves Walker. A rookie fourth-round pick, he struggled to have any impact again Saturday with just one catch for 4 yards. He’s also been dealing with a rib injury, Harbaugh said, so that could potentially make him a candidate for injured reserve, which would keep him out of at least the first four games before he could return and then allow the Ravens to keep another receiver such as Anthony Miller. Otherwise, the top three spots are set between Flowers, Bateman and Agholor, with Harty as a fourth option and the team’s kick returner and Wallace, who had a 48-yard touchdown Saturday, adding special teams value. Tight end/fullback (4) Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard This group was set in stone before training camp started, but undrafted rookie Qadir Ismail has certainly performed well enough to be on the practice squad. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound son of former Ravens receiver Qadry Ismail is a fascinating prospect. He’s proved to be a solid pass catcher and surprised Harbaugh with his blocking ability. Tight end is an important position for Baltimore, and Ismail is someone the Ravens can develop. Offensive line (10) Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Roger Rosengarten, Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, Josh Jones, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Tashawn Manning This is another position that’s been complicated by injury, with Nick Samac, who was pushing to be the backup to Pro Bowl center Linderbaum, getting hurt Saturday. Harbaugh didn’t have an update on Samac’s condition afterward, but the rookie seventh-round pick was carted off the field after being helped to the sideline with what looked to be a leg or lower-body injury. Before that, he likely would have made the roster; now he could be headed to injured reserve. That could also mean that Manning, who has shown improvement after spending his rookie year on the practice squad, ends up making the team. Or, the Ravens might decide to keep just nine offensive linemen and sign a veteran free agent to provide depth. Defensive line (5) Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Brent Urban, Broderick Washington Like the tight ends, this group has been set since the beginning of training camp. The only thing to keep an eye on is if the Ravens decide to cut Urban in a handshake deal the way they did last season. As a vested veteran, he’s not subject to waivers and could then re-sign with Baltimore if the Ravens decide to keep an injured player on the active roster until Wednesday. Outside linebacker (5) Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac Isaac is another player who could be headed to injured reserve. Just when the rookie returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out nearly the entire summer, he suffered a soft-tissue injury in his other leg. Meanwhile, the versatile Malik Harrison should see a lot of action at strong-side linebacker given his ability to set the edge, so he could be counted here as well. Otherwise, Oweh and Ojabo have looked solid all preseason, Van Noy is a dependable pass rusher and Robinson provides depth and special teams capability. Inside linebacker (4) Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Malik Harrison, Chris Board Josh Ross’ spot, or lack thereof, will likely depend on how many players the Ravens keep at other positions such as the offensive line or defensive backfield. Without him, Baltimore gets thin quickly if Harrison is more often deployed outside. With him, the Ravens get someone who can play special teams and add depth inside, which they could use. Chris Board, meanwhile, is a special teams ace, and others — such as Yvandy Rigby and Deion Jennings, who both got hurt Saturday — didn’t make enough of a dent in training camp. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis has performed well this summer and likely earned a spot on the team. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Cornerback (6) Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, Ar’Darius Washington, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis With Arthur Maulet suffering from a knee injury that could land him on injured reserve to start the season, that makes Washington the favorite to fill his role in the slot. Armour-Davis, meanwhile, has performed well this summer and likely earned a spot on the team. Ka’dar Hollman could also make it given his special teams ability. Damarion “Pepe” Williams, however, struggled enormously Saturday between getting beat, giving up a touchdown catch that he showed little fight for and missing some tackles. He also doesn’t have the special teams value that Hollman does. Safety (5) Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade Washington can and has been playing safety most of the summer, but with Maulet’s injury, he’s more likely to shift into that role. Kane and Brade, meanwhile, have flashed and been physically attacking the ball, so one or both figures to stick around. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Keaton Mitchell has ‘a different type of speed.’ The Ravens hope they see it again soon. Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Joe D’Alessandris left an indelible mark on the Ravens | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris dies at 70: ‘He made us all better’ Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from Ravens’ 30-7 preseason loss to Green Bay Packers Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on offensive line, David Ojabo, Beau Brade and more | COMMENTARY Because of Washington’s ability to play safety, the Ravens could easily get away with keeping just four. This likely will come down to Kane, Brade and Worley battling for one or two spots — and special teams could be the determining factor. The Ravens really like Worley’s physicality on special teams, but he’s a vested vet and they can play the practice squad game with him like they did last year. Special teams (3) Justin Tucker, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore It was only warm-ups and it included a holder and an extra step, but Tucker hit a field goal from 70 yards Saturday. Then he made a 65-yarder a moment later going the other direction. Stout, meanwhile, has had some booming punts this summer, though has been inconsistent at times. Moore is healthy and locked in at long snapper after missing last season with a torn Achilles tendon. View the full article

Keaton Mitchell wanders the sideline at the Ravens’ training facility in Owings Mills in shorts and a T-shirt. He is unexpressive in his gaze, has a slight hitch in his gait and a long scar is visible down the side of his left knee. As he watches another practice unfold without him, he takes some of the slowest strides he’s made since arriving in Baltimore a year ago. “When you talk about tough, man, he was in his feelings for a minute,” his father and former Ravens defensive back Anthony Mitchell told The Baltimore Sun from his home in suburban Atlanta. “He likes to be out there. He likes to work. He likes to grind.” It is difficult for perhaps the fastest player on the team — and one of the speediest in the NFL — to stay patient, even if he knows he has to be after suffering what one person in the Ravens’ building called a “nasty” torn ACL against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 17. The good news for Mitchell, and Baltimore, is that while three ligaments and some cartilage needed to be surgically repaired, there was no nerve damage or other complications. While it was initially believed he would not be able to practice until early December of this year, Mitchell is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and could begin practicing as soon as about a month to six weeks into the season. The Ravens will and can afford to be cautious with his return, given the addition of four-time Pro Bowl back Derrick Henry, but it was clear from the beginning that Mitchell has the potential to be the kind of difference-making player in the organization’s pursuit of an elusive third Super Bowl title. Last spring, Mitchell was a mostly unknown (or at least underrated) player, a slight but nifty 5-foot-8, 191-pound flash with quick feet and elite speed. Over three seasons at East Carolina, he racked up 3,027 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns along with 60 catches for 580 yards and three scores. At the NFL scouting combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds, the third-best time among running backs in Indianapolis that week. But there were concerns about his size and (accurately) his durability. In signing with the Ravens, however, there was familiarity. Mitchell was also a good fit for an offense that was transitioning from the heavy-formation style of former offensive coordinator Greg Roman to the more spread-friendly scheme of Todd Monken. And there were questions about the team’s other running backs, the injury-prone J.K. Dobbins and powerful but less dynamic Gus Edwards. Then quarterback Lamar Jackson — one of the fastest players in the league himself — saw Mitchell during the preseason. “I wasn’t familiar with him in camp,” Jackson told The Sun. “I seen him run a couple times and I’m like, ‘Dang!’ But in preseason when he actually got in the game, I said, ‘He’s gonna be a problem.’ “I’m seeing him burn guys on angles. Guys have great angles on him and he still finds a way to get in front of them and speed up. His acceleration is crazy. Then he has the speed to keep going.” 2023 NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore RavensKarl Merton Ferron/Baltimore SunRavens running back Keaton Mitchell sprints past quarterback Lamar Jackson during a game against the Seahawks on Nov. 5. Jackson was impressed by the rookie before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in December. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Mitchell’s regular-season debut was delayed by a shoulder injury that landed him on injured reserve to start the campaign. But once he returned to the field, it wasn’t long before his impact opened more eyes. In the first game in which he got a carry, a Week 9 win over the Seattle Seahawks, he had 138 yards and a touchdown on just nine attempts. Over eight games before getting injured, he had 396 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 47 carries, including seven runs of at least 20 yards, along with nine catches for 93 yards and two more scores. From Weeks 9 through 16, Mitchell was one of the fastest and best backs in the league. His 8.4 yards per carry and 5.9 yards after contact led the NFL. He was also third in broken tackle percentage and fourth in yards before contact (2.9) during that span. His top speed of 20.99 mph, per Next Gen Stats, was the fastest of any Ravens back last season. “When he got the opportunity to play with us in the regular season, it was like, ‘Damn this guy is crazy, he’s a different type of back,’” Jackson told The Sun. “It was like, ‘Bro, we got a chance with him.’” He added that Mitchell also reminded him of another player: Former NFL running back Chris Johnson. Like Mitchell, Johnson went to East Carolina, though he was a first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2008 after a prolific college career and scouting combine. In his second year, Johnson led the league with 2,006 rushing yards, broke Marshall Faulk’s record of total yards from scrimmage with 2,509 and was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. It’s a lofty comparison, and Mitchell is smaller than Johnson, but his 40-yard dash time was only 0.13 seconds slower. “He had a different type of speed,” Jackson said of Mitchell. “Hopefully he gets back to that.” When or if he will remains to be seen, but there is precedent. Former NFL backs Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles both suffered significant ACL tears during their careers, yet returned with career-best numbers. In 2018, Dalvin Cook returned from his torn ACL the year before to average 3.02 yards after contact and 218 missed tackles forced, both better marks than before he got injured. And two years after current Philadelphia Eagles back Saquon Barkley returned from a torn ACL in 2020, he rushed for 1,312 yards while averaging 4.4 yards per carry for the New York Giants. Still, the road back has had its challenges for Mitchell, who was unavailable to speak for this story because he is injured, per Ravens policy. Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell suffered a season-ending knee injury in December against the Jaguars. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP) That the injury even occurred in the first place was almost fluke-ish. Early in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars, Mitchell took a handoff from Jackson and bounced to the outside, easily slipping through a pair of attempted tackles. With receiver Rashod Bateman blocking his man toward the sideline, Mitchell then cut back inside toward the open lane and sea of green in front of him and sped upfield as safety Andrew Wingard dived at his feet. Mitchell stepped through the tackle, but Wingard grabbed him just enough that it threw Mitchell’s stride out of whack. When his left foot hit the ground, his knee bent gruesomely backward. Mitchell’s father along with other family members and friends were watching from the upper deck of EverBank Stadium, and Anthony, who’d seen his share of injuries during an eight-year career, thought or perhaps hoped that it was just a hyperextended knee. “It was tough,” says Anthony. “He was in a groove. “[The injury] was hard for him at first. But by the end of the game, he came out on crutches and was smiling and signing autographs. He took it better than I did, knowing how competitive he is.” That resolve has perhaps helped guide Mitchell in his long, arduous recovery process, and his father says the love fans have showered his son with since he burst onto the scene in Baltimore has helped keep the 22-year-old in good spirits. “He’s doing really well,” coach John Harbaugh said in July. “He’s always got a smile on his face.” For now, though, he remains on the sideline and on the active/physically unable to perform list. If Mitchell is on the reserve/PUP list once the roster is trimmed to 53 players on Tuesday, he will have to miss at least the first four games of the regular season, though he will not count against the team’s roster during that time. After four games, he would have a five-week window to begin practicing. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection as final cuts loom: ‘Important evaluations’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Joe D’Alessandris left an indelible mark on the Ravens | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris dies at 70: ‘He made us all better’ Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from Ravens’ 30-7 preseason loss to Green Bay Packers Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on offensive line, David Ojabo, Beau Brade and more | COMMENTARY Even with the addition of Henry, who along with veteran Justice Hill will get the bulk if not all of the carries in Mitchell’s absence, a return by Mitchell in the middle or latter part of the season could once again be a boost for Baltimore. Henry is still one of the better backs in the league and Hill is a dependable change-of-pace option as well as an adept pass catcher and pass protector. But Mitchell would give the Ravens another player with game-breaking ability. Mitchell’s father, who was a playoff hero for Baltimore on its run to a Super Bowl title in January 2001, is biased but knows something about season-altering performances. “You haven’t seen nothing yet,” he says. “As long as he can come back at 100%, y’all ain’t seen nothing yet.” View the full article

Joe D’Alessandris is irreplaceable. The Ravens said on Sunday that the longtime offensive line coach died earlier that morning at the age of 70. He had been hospitalized earlier this month with what the team said was an acute illness related to an earlier surgery. Certain people associated with the Ravens can’t be replaced. One was late owner Art Modell. Another is Ozzie Newsome. D’Alessandris is on that list. He didn’t impact the NFL the way Modell or Newsome did. Rather, D’Alessandris was just an honorable, hard-working man who was liked by everyone within the organization. Ravens coach John Harbaugh probably summed it up best in a statement released by the team Sunday. “Coach ‘Joe D.’ was a man of integrity and a man of faith,” he said. “He made us all better. He was our reader at team mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man — the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. “He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters, and he was a most loving husband. His grandkids also adored him. I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because ‘Joe D.’ was a joy.” In some ways, D’Alessandris reminded me of former and late Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda, who died in 2016 after coaching in the NFL for 37 years. Regardless if you interviewed Marchibroda at 6 a.m. at the team hotel at McDaniel College or late at night on the phone, both D’Alessandris and Marchibroda always had stories to tell. Having spent 37 years covering the NFL, I always found D’Alessandris’ tales to be entertaining, interesting and funny. He began his coaching career in 1977 before going on to lead offensive lines in college, the Canadian Football League, the World Football League, and later the Buffalo Bills (2010-12) and the then-San Diego Chargers (2013-15). Those stories were legendary. “’Joe D.’ was a rock, a great coach and a better person,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. “He cared about the team deeply, exhibiting a relentless passion to excel while displaying genuine love for his players. I especially treasure my conversations with him, talking about football and life. I will always remember standing back with Joe on the practice field and watching him up close with his players. Coach was the consummate teacher and friend, and I will miss him deeply.” Ravens training campKevin RichardsonJoe D’Alessandris, left, had coached the Ravens’ offensive line since 2017. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) That’s only part of the reason D’Alessandris can never be replaced. Watching him coach offensive linemen on the field was pure pleasure. He was animated and extremely technical. He never showed fear of getting in the face of any player, whether he was a possible Hall of Fame guard named Marshal Yanda or a consistent Pro Bowl like Ronnie Stanley or just another guy. D’Alessandris could show love. He could chew a guy out and then wrap an arm around him as he did with center Tyler Linderbaum, who made the Pro Bowl last season. D’Alessandris had that gift. He could make everyone better. The Ravens named George Warhop to replace D’Alessandris on Aug. 14 after Harbaugh said the latter would miss significant time. It comes as the Ravens are rebuilding their unit after losing guards John Simpson (New York Jets), Kevin Zeitler (Detroit Lions) and tackle Morgan Moses (Jets) in the offseason. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection as final cuts loom: ‘Important evaluations’ Baltimore Ravens | Keaton Mitchell has ‘a different type of speed.’ The Ravens hope they see it again soon. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris dies at 70: ‘He made us all better’ Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from Ravens’ 30-7 preseason loss to Green Bay Packers Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on offensive line, David Ojabo, Beau Brade and more | COMMENTARY Veterans like Stanley, Patrick Mekari and Linderbaum will be OK, but will be interesting to see how Warhop handles young guards like Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele and center Nick Samac. That’s not an indictment of Warhop’s coaching ability, but rather that D’Alessandris had a far-reaching impact on this franchise. He leaves behind a great legacy after 7 1/2 years in Baltimore. It wasn’t just about football, but being a mentor in life and having a strong faith. I will miss his antics at practice; those hard trudging steps about planting feet, using hands and being in proper position. Every interaction with him felt special. That’s why he is irreplaceable. View the full article

Joe D’Alessandris, the Ravens’ old-school tough but personally tender offensive line coach since 2017, died Sunday morning, the team announced. He was 70. The news came less than two weeks after the Ravens announced D’Alessandris had been hospitalized for an acute illness related to an earlier surgery. They hired veteran coach George Warhop to fill in. “Coach ‘Joe D.’ was a man of integrity and a man of faith,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “He made us all better. He was our reader at team mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters, and he was a most loving husband. His grandkids also adored him. I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because ‘Joe D.’ was a joy. Toni has him back now. May God bless ‘Joe D.’ forever.” General manager Eric DeCosta described D’Alessandris, who coached for 45 years, 15 of those in the NFL, as “a rock.” “He cared about the team deeply, exhibiting a relentless passion to excel while displaying genuine love for his players,” DeCosta said in a statement. “I especially treasure my conversations with him, talking about football and life. I will always remember standing back with Joe on the practice field and watching him up close with his players. Coach was the consummate teacher and friend, and I will miss him deeply. Our thoughts and prayers go to Joe’s daughters and family and everyone touched by Joe’s remarkable spirit.” D’Alessandris coached Pro Bowl linemen Marshal Yanda, Ronnie Stanley, Orlando Brown Jr., Kevin Zeitler and Tyler Linderbaum but showed just as deep an interest in the less acclaimed linemen he helped develop such as Ben Powers, Ryan Jensen and Bradley Bozeman. “I’ll never forget that laugh,” Stanley said Sunday in a post on X. “Thank you coach D.” D’Alessandris was engaged in guiding a youth movement on this year’s Ravens line before he was hospitalized. After the team’s first padded practice in late July, he said: “I saw the linemen do a very nice job. I told them all, ‘I saw a lot of good blocks by all of you.’ But I saw some blocks we got to get better with. That’s my job to help them get better, and we’ll do that.” When Harbaugh announced D’Alessandris was in the hospital earlier this month, he said: “It’s a blow; it’s a blow; because he’s a great football coach — he’s beloved by the players [and] by the coaches. He’s [also] a top game planner [and] a top coach.” D’Alessandris was born on April 29, 1954, and grew up in an Italian-speaking household in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. His father, Giuseppe, was a steelworker, and D’Alessandris also worked summer jobs at the mill, an enduring source of anecdotes he’d share with his millennial players. But the Western Pennsylvania of his youth was also a cradle for standout football players and coaches. The game drew D’Alessandris in, and he left home to became a star guard and captain at Western Carolina University. There he met his future wife of 42 years, Toni, who died in 2022 from a rare form of Parkinson’s disease. He spoke to The Athletic last year about how coaching provided him comfort as he grieved her. “I don’t have that person to just talk to,” D’Alessandris said. “I miss that.” He is survived by three daughters, Anna Thomas, Kelly Olsen, and Emily D’Alessandris, and five grandchildren. It was this tight-knit family Ravens officials thought of Sunday as they mourned their colleague. “He was a passionate and devoted football coach who left an indelible mark on the lives of many. Above all, he was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who always prioritized his faith and family,” team president Sashi Brown said in a statement. “True to character, ‘Joe D.’ was a fighter to the very end. … We take comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his late wife, Toni, whom he loved dearly.” Joe D’Alessandris, pictured during minicamp in June, had coached the Ravens’ offensive line since 2017. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) D’Alessandris was a true coaching lifer, moving his family to all corners of the country as he shaped young blockers for teams ranging from high school to Texas A&M to the short-lived Memphis Mad Dogs of the Canadian Football League. He broke into the NFL in 2008 with the Kansas City Chiefs, also working for the Buffalo Bills (2010-12) and the then-San Diego Chargers (2013-15). Greg Roman had just joined the Ravens as a senior offensive assistant in 2017 when he helped arrange an interview for D’Alessandris to fill the offensive line coach job vacated by Juan Castillo. The fit proved ideal as D’Alessandris, who loved to demand physical play from his charges, joined a team that was about set NFL rushing records with Lamar Jackson at quarterback. He became a familiar sight at practice, wearing his trademark black shorts, high socks and black Nike shoes as he cajoled the massive men in his unit to do their best. “He cares about his players,” Yanda said during their first season working together. “He’s a technician guy, just like most line coaches are. We’re learning each other and getting to know each other, but I like what I see. He’s a good, hard-nosed coach.” D’Alessandris would get after his linemen during drills but never spoke ill of them in interviews, preferring to lay out an optimistic vision of what they might become. “That’s one thing about offensive line play: It’s a growth each day — one step at a time,” he said, outlining his philosophy shortly after he joined Harbaugh’s staff. “You try to grasp a concept, grow with it, when it shows or presents itself tomorrow or the next day, we see some more growth.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from Ravens’ 30-7 preseason loss to Green Bay Packers Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on offensive line, David Ojabo, Beau Brade and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Ravens lose to Packers, 30-7, in sloppy, injury-filled preseason finale Baltimore Ravens | 7 Ravens with most at stake entering Saturday’s preseason finale at Packers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ offensive line could be the gamble that undermines Super Bowl roster | ANALYSIS Current and former Ravens and people from around the football world shared their love for D’Alessandris in social media posts Sunday. “Get your Rest Coach,” quarterback Jackson wrote on Instagram, accompanied by clasped prayer hands. “A great man who made a football team better and made people better,” wide receiver Nelson Agholor posted on Instagram. ESPN analyst Field Yates, who worked with D’Alessandris on the Chiefs’ staff, called him “one of the single kindest folks I ever worked with during my time in the NFL” in an X post. “He was a diligent teacher who poured countless hours into the development of players of all capabilities,” Yates wrote. “Above all, he was a dedicated family man.” View the full article

Four turnovers doomed the Ravens to an ugly 30-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers in their exhibition finale. After a preseason that showcased only a handful of starters, we turn our attention to the Sept. 5 season opener in Kansas City, where the real team will take center stage. Here are five things we learned from the last preseason game. The battle at No. 3 running back just got murkier Owen Wright was no sure thing to make the final 53, but he made a stronger case than anyone around him to play behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. He deserved better than to be carted off in the second quarter of the final preseason game with a broken foot. With Wright out of the picture, where do the Ravens turn? Fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali was the favorite going into training camp given how enamored the Ravens seemed with his big-play potential coming out of Marshall. But Ali played poorly in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, and a stinger deprived him of the opportunity to redeem himself. Would Harbaugh feel comfortable entrusting a potentially important reserve role to a rookie with so few reps? Undrafted rookie Chris Collier has been a steadier presence in practice but feels more like a practice squad candidate than a potential No. 3. Veteran journeyman John Kelly received the most work Saturday and delivered a few strong runs between the tackles. Could he make an unexpected late push? Or will the Ravens look outside at a position where formerly productive players usually become available when teams trim their rosters? Not the most scintillating questions — the hope is Henry will render any depth issues moot — but this position might present the only legitimate mystery as we await final cuts. Tylan Wallace keeps finding ways to stick A year ago, Wallace spoke endearingly of how on cutdown day, he sat in his car in the parking lot at the Ravens’ training facility, praying his phone wouldn’t buzz with unwanted news. He hoped a strong preseason was enough to put him on the right side of the roster bubble. The fourth-year wide receiver’s position isn’t so tenuous in 2024. He seems likely to make the 53-man roster because of his special teams value, displayed most memorably with his game-winning punt return against the Los Angeles Rams last season. If the 2021 fourth-round draft pick needed a final flourish, however, he provided it Saturday with the most exciting individual play of the Ravens’ preseason. In the second quarter, Wallace slanted right to find clear ground in the middle of the Green Bay secondary, caught Josh Johnson’s pass and outran everyone to the front corner of the end zone, extending his arm to smack the pylon for a 48-yard touchdown. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, among others, bounded off the sideline to celebrate. With seven catches over three seasons, Wallace isn’t likely to become one of Jackson’s featured targets out of nowhere. He is a guy who keeps finding ways to make the Ravens keep him. That’s worth celebrating in its own right. Daniel Faalele, set to play right guard, is part of a youth movement along the Ravens’ offensive line. (Matt Ludtke/AP) There’s no indication of a late surprise on the offensive line The Ravens again started Roger Rosengarten at right tackle, Daniel Faalele at right guard and Andrew Vorhees at left guard, setting the table for three linemen with one career start between them to claim the jobs vacated by Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson, respectively. Though Patrick Mekari could still beat out Rosengarten or share time with the rookie, it sure seems the Ravens are embracing a youth movement on the unit that will protect Jackson and clear holes for Henry. On Saturday, we again saw the growing pains that will go with that plan. Faalele — to be fair, he has held up well as a pass blocker at his new interior spot — pushed the Ravens back with a false start when they were already facing third-and-long on their opening drive. Miscommunication left Packers defensive end Arron Mosby free to run in for a strip-sack on Devin Leary that led to a defensive touchdown. That blown play aside, the unit’s pass blocking generally held up better than its run blocking, as the Ravens ran for just 39 yards on 12 carries in the first half. Those numbers will look better in the regular season with Jackson and Henry operating in place of Johnson and Wright, but these young offensive linemen will also be held to a higher standard when the games count. They did not move Green Bay’s backups as much as you’d hope in their final audition. The line’s depth also took a potential hit when rookie center Nick Samac, who has come on strong over the past two weeks and who started against the Packers, left the field on a cart. Harbaugh didn’t elaborate on Samac’s injury after the game, but he’ll join a cluster of young players — Ali, cornerback T.J. Tampa, safety Sanoussi Kane, edge rusher Adisa Isaac — who could stick on the 53-man roster or go to injured reserve (where they’d either be designated to return or stashed for the year). Those machinations will be among the more interesting decisions the Ravens have to make over the next few days. Another game, another few productive series for David Ojabo As we’ve discussed throughout the preseason, Ojabo needed these games more than most players projected to make significant contributions to the 2024 team. He has yet to get a clean shot at his NFL career after a torn Achilles tendon wiped out the beginning of his rookie year and knee surgery cut short his second-year follow-up. Doctors finally cleared the 2022 second-round pick to play in this year’s second preseason game, and he immediately impressed as a pass rusher (expected) and a tough edge setter (pleasant surprise). The grin on Ojabo’s face when he spoke to reporters a few days later conveyed how much it meant to him to be back in the mix. His 2024 won’t be judged on flashes, however. The Ravens, in need of edge rushers to fill the void left by Jadeveon Clowney’s departure, need the former Michigan star to produce week after week. So far, so good after Ojabo played well in limited action against the Packers. On Green Bay’s opening drive, he occupied two blockers on the edge, giving safety Beau Brade a clear lane to dart in and drop running back Ellis Merriweather for a loss. The next time the Packers had the ball, Ojabo popped tight end Joel Wilson, then zipped around his outside shoulder to drill quarterback Sean Clifford, who threw incomplete. The box score did not show a tackle or a sack for the third-year outside linebacker, but his impact was felt. Devontez Walker has yet to make a case for playing time Walker finally grabbed our attention, albeit for the wrong reason, when he was penalized for offensive pass interference on the Ravens’ first drive. That meant the rookie’s penalty yards exceeded his receiving yards — 4 on one catch — for the preseason. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on offensive line, David Ojabo, Beau Brade and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Ravens lose to Packers, 30-7, in sloppy, injury-filled preseason finale Baltimore Ravens | 7 Ravens with most at stake entering Saturday’s preseason finale at Packers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ offensive line could be the gamble that undermines Super Bowl roster | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations from joint practice with Packers on Lamar Jackson, offensive line and more Not the summary line you want for a guy who ranked high on any list of Ravens playmakers we were eager to watch going into training camp. And it’s not as if he has burned defenders consistently in practice either. After Nate Wiggins and Rosengarten, Walker probably generated the most buzz of any Ravens pick. As a confident, powerfully built vertical threat, he seemed custom designed to fill a hole in Jackson’s collection of targets. Scouting reports suggested we’d see lapses in his technique, but he seemed as good a candidate as any to light up camp practices and preseason games with spectacular catches. We’ve seen only fleeting glimpses of that player. Walker quickly faded into the background as less touted pass catchers — Dayton Wade, Qadir Ismail, Sean Ryan — made stronger impressions. A rib injury that limited him for the second preseason game did not help matters. With the regular season almost upon us, he’s still searching for his breakout moment. It’s hard to see the Ravens giving up on such a promising draft prospect after one summer, but if they’re picking the six wide receivers who’ve made the best case to help in Week 1, Walker isn’t on the list. View the full article

As NFL teams trim their rosters this week for the start of the regular season, the Ravens need to look over the waiver wire to add a veteran offensive lineman or two. The Ravens could use a quality starter, particularly at guard, but they also need some depth. On Saturday, the Ravens were beaten, 30-7, by the Packers in both teams’ preseason finale in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Like most NFL teams this time of year, the Ravens held out most of their starters but had only 177 yards of total offense. They were also playing with both of their starting guards in second-year player Andrew Vorhees on the left and third-year player Daniel Faalele on the right. Both linemen, as well as rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten, looked slow and lethargic as the Ravens mustered only 98 rushing yards. None of the offensive linemen got much movement off the ball, and the running game has been the staple of the offense for the past six years. If the Ravens can’t run, then they can’t win. So this week, the Ravens need to see if there are any salary cap casualties and maybe they might be able to add a lineman or two who can at least push the current group. It’s unlikely that any team will release a quality player at this point with the start of the regular season less than two weeks away, but Green Bay simply outhit the Ravens — not only in Thursday’s joint practice, but in Saturday’s game as well. In addition, Ravens rookie center Nick Samac, starting in place of Pro Bowl selection Tyler Linderbaum, went down in the second quarter with what was believed to be a lower leg injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has said that Linderbaum, who has missed most of training camp with a neck injury, will be ready for the opener Sept. 5 against the Chiefs in Kansas City, but you never want to hear that a lineman is dealing with a neck injury. If Linderbaum does play, Patrick Mekari is likely to start at right tackle and Ronnie Stanley on the left side, which will make the Ravens stronger. A lot of teams struggle at one guard spot, but not usually two. It’s time to scan the free agent list. “We’re playing a couple of guys here and there. It’s an individual type of an evaluation, so you have to look at it and see what those guys did per play,” Harbaugh said of evaluating the offensive line. Rookie QB Devin Leary struggles Harbaugh’s theme of the week has to be ball security. He can talk about preparing for the Chiefs, but the Ravens had four turnovers Saturday. Baltimore lost two fumbles and rookie quarterback Devin Leary completed only 6 of 13 passes for 34 yards and threw two interceptions. Those passes were picked off not because Leary tried to place the ball in a tight window, but because he stared down receivers from the snap. That might work at Kentucky, where Leary became a sixth-round draft pick, but not in the NFL. The quarterback has to look off the safeties at this level. “I just feel like your typical rookie growing pains,” Leary said, “making sure that every day you’re locked in in practice, whatever reps you do get, making sure you make the best of them, watching extra film, making sure you’re asking as many questions as possible, and ultimately — like I said earlier — just doing what you’re coached to do, operating [as] a quarterback at a high level [and] making sure you’re doing your job the way it’s supposed to be done.” Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo tries to work around Packers lineman Travis Glover during the first half of Saturday’s preseason game in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Need to see more from David Ojabo There was interest in David Ojabo because the third-year outside linebacker played so well against the Atlanta Falcons in the second preseason game last week, but he wasn’t much of a factor versus Green Bay. Ojabo, a 2022 second-round pick out of Michigan who has missed most of the past two seasons with leg injuries, didn’t have a sack or a tackle. He had one quarterback pressure when he beat a tight end one-on-one in the first half. Consistency is the key to greatness, not just an occasional appearance. Not much room on kickoff returns The Ravens like receiver Deonte Harty as a return specialist, but with the new kickoff rules, there is not a lot of time to be juking or running laterally. It’s very simple: Take one step, hit the hole and goodbye. Now, it’s different returning a punt, but there is no time to fool around on kickoff returns. One player who seemed indecisive on kickoff returns was running back Owen Wright. He averaged 30.3 yards on three returns Saturday, but Harbaugh said the former undrafted free agent broke his foot against Green Bay. Beau Brade should be here to stay There was talk about him earlier this week, but the Ravens have to find a way to keep rookie safety and former University of Maryland star Beau Brade. He was the team’s leading tackler Saturday with eight and had one for a loss. The kid has no fear and is a hitter. There might come a day when he would start next to Kyle Hamilton, giving the team one of the hardest-hitting safety combinations in the NFL. “I think [Beau and fellow rookie safety Sanoussi Kane have] shown flashes of physicality, both on defense and special teams,” Harbaugh said. “They’ve shown up here and there, pretty well today, even. [It’s a] big-picture evaluation. Again, you have to see all of the plays to have a feel for that, but they did flash a few times.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Ravens lose to Packers, 30-7, in sloppy, injury-filled preseason finale Baltimore Ravens | 7 Ravens with most at stake entering Saturday’s preseason finale at Packers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ offensive line could be the gamble that undermines Super Bowl roster | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations from joint practice with Packers on Lamar Jackson, offensive line and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Finally, the Ravens get some fresh competition in Green Bay | COMMENTARY Room for improvement on defense The Ravens were without starting middle linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive end Justin Madubuike and Hamilton, but they still gave up 193 rushing yards on 39 carries against Green Bay. Baltimore was sloppy and its tackling technique was poor. Regardless of if this is the second or third string defense, coordinator Zach Orr can’t be happy with what he saw on the field. Weakside linebacker Trent Simpson knows there is a lot of room for improvement. “There are some things we can clean up,” said Simpson, who finished with six tackles and an interception. “We’ve definitely got some time to get it right before the Chiefs [in Week 1]. We’ve got to start cleaning it up, but I feel like [we just have to] continue to improve as a defense; everybody stays positive, and it’s just one game. We’ve got another game — a big game [against] the Chiefs. Just continue to get ready [and] be prepared for that.” View the full article

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The fourth quarter of the preseason finale is not usually when an NFL team’s starting inside linebacker is still in the game. Yet there was the Ravens’ Trenton Simpson, still patrolling Lambeau Field with his usual fervor at the back end of a lopsided, mistake-filled defeat. The result, a 30-7 loss to the Packers in front of an announced 72,339 on a warm, otherwise sunny Saturday afternoon, was meaningless — though it did mark the first time Baltimore gave up at least 30 points in a preseason game since Aug. 29, 2015 against Washington. More concerning for the Ravens were the handful of players who were knocked out of the game. With little depth at inside linebacker, for example, Simpson had to stay in it longer than anticipated. “I’m ready whenever,” he said. “Whatever my team needs, I’ll go out there and perform. That’s my mentality.” Simpson was one of the Ravens’ few regular starters who did play, much the way it was in their first two preseason games. That provided one final opportunity for those players on the bubble to impress coaches and make a last push to make the team with the roster needing to be cut to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon. Escaping without injury was also a goal and on that front Baltimore also did not fare well. Running back Owen Wright, who entered the day with the edge of being Baltimore’s third running back behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill to start the season, was carted off late in the second quarter after suffering a broken foot, according to coach John Harbaugh. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen, suffered a separated shoulder, Harbaugh said, during a missed tackle on a punt return. Meanwhile, backup center Nick Samac, who started in place of Pro Bowl selection Tyler Linderbaum, appeared to suffer a lower body/leg injury in the second quarter and was also carted off the field. Defensive lineman Deadrin Senat, inside linebacker Deion Jennings and cornerback Christian Matthews were all also injured. Though all of them figure at best to be on the periphery of the Ravens’ roster and practice squad, losing them puts a strain on the team’s depth. As for the game, Baltimore’s offense predictably struggled, failing to pick up a first down until a few minutes into the second quarter and finishing with just 177 total yards. The defense also at times had difficulty stopping the Packers, particularly on the ground, with Green Bay rolling up 193 rushing yards and 326 total yards. Now the Ravens will turn their attention to the roster and the regular season, with a re-match of the AFC championship game against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium looming on Sept. 5. “The bottom line is we play the Chiefs in 12 days,” Harbaugh said. “That’s our focus. “We’ll look at the tape and see if it tells us anything we didn’t know about our guys as far as who makes it, who’s on the practice squad. There’s gonna be important evaluations.” Who stood out Quarterback Josh Johnson: The Ravens have been committed to Johnson as their No. 2 quarterback behind Lamar Jackson since before the preseason began. And for the second game in a row, he solidified his position. Although Baltimore had a hard time moving the ball, the 38-year-old veteran showed good command of the offense and was efficient, going 5-for-7 for 71 yards with a touchdown and no turnovers. “I’ve played in a lot of different places, [and] I’ve learned a lot of different football,” Johnson said of when asked what he gives the Ravens. “I’ve played in some meaningful games as well. I’ve been thrown into a lot of uncharacteristic situations, so nothing kind of surprises me when situations may come up, and I feel like I’m a pretty good football player [and] quarterback when it comes to just getting the job done and moving the ball down the field.” That was evident in the first half Saturday. Among the highlights: converting a 4th-and-2 from the Ravens’ 46-yard line early in the second quarter with good zip on a 5-yard completion to tight end Charlie Kolar, then hitting wide-open receiver Tylan Wallace on a crossing route three plays later for what ended up being a 48-yard touchdown. Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace dives for the end zone to score a touchdown past Packers safety Zayne Anderson during the first half of Saturday’s preseason finale in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Mike Roemer/AP) Wide receiver Tylan Wallace: It was his only catch of the game, but it was a big one. On what looked to be a busted coverage on third-and-9, Wallace had no one around him as he cut over the middle. He caught the ball at the 32-yard line then headed for the far corner of the end zone. The best part of the play for Wallace, though, came when he stretched for the pylon while being dragged down by safety Zayne Anderson. Once thought to be a bubble player, Wallace is all but a lock to make the 53-man roster. The 2021 fourth-round pick not only provides special teams versatility, but he’s had nice chemistry with Jackson in training camp and showed tremendous effort to get across the goal line in what was an otherwise lackluster game for Baltimore’s offense. Cornerback Nate Wiggins: The speedy rookie pretty much picked up where he left off in the preseason opener, though the Packers didn’t challenge him nearly as much as the Philadelphia Eagles did. When Green Bay did try to attack the Ravens’ first-round pick, he was up to the task in terms of his speed and ability to track Packers’ receivers. If there was a weak spot, it was with his tackling on a couple of occasions. Still, Harbaugh said he has liked what he has seen from Wiggins and that the rookie will be “counted on heavily.” Like Simpson, Wiggins also played into the second half. Perhaps that was out of a need for reps after a shoulder injury kept him out of the second preseason game, or because of depth issues with injuries piling up. As for Wiggins’ shoulder, he said afterward it’s not 100% but getting better every day. Outside linebacker David Ojabo: With Ojabo having missed almost all of his first two seasons because of injury and just nine months removed from ACL surgery, it was perhaps unsurprising that he played into the second half Saturday. In doing so, the 2022 second-round pick continued to show plenty of power and speed getting around the edge. That included a nice spin move to force an early throw from quarterback Sean Clifford on one play and easily beating tight end Joel Wilson on another. Ojabo didn’t have any tackles or sacks, but he did get a quarterback hit on Clifford and was generally disruptive. Safety Sanoussi Kane: The seventh-round rookie out of Purdue played for the first time since being injured in the preseason opener, was physical and attacked the ball well when plays came his way. That bodes well for a roster spot. With Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams and veteran Eddie Jackson ahead of him on the depth chart, Baltimore could look to utilize Kane as a fourth safety in a backup role and on special teams, especially if they deploy the smaller Ar’Darius Washington in the slot with cornerback Arthur Maulet still dealing with a knee injury. Harbaugh said afterward that Kane has shown “flashes of physicality” on defense and special teams, and that showed up again Saturday with a few big hits he delivered. Who didn’t stand out Quarterback Devin Leary: It was another forgettable performance by the sixth-round rookie, who threw two interceptions, was strip-sacked and completed just 6 of 13 passes for 34 yards. The strip-sack seemed to be left tackle Josh Jones’ fault, but Leary did not comport himself well as edge rusher Arron Mosby hit him from behind to knock the ball loose. Safety Anthony Johnson Jr. returned the fumble 24 yards for a touchdown. Leary’s longest completion went for just 9 yards, and one of his interceptions was practically right to Mosby. “Putting the ball in jeopardy is not winning football,” he said. “That’s something I need to improve, watch the tape and learn from it. [There’s] little room for error playing at a level like this.” Leary finished the preseason 15-for-28 for 95 yards with two interceptions. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on offensive line, David Ojabo, Beau Brade and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 7 Ravens with most at stake entering Saturday’s preseason finale at Packers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ offensive line could be the gamble that undermines Super Bowl roster | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations from joint practice with Packers on Lamar Jackson, offensive line and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Finally, the Ravens get some fresh competition in Green Bay | COMMENTARY Left tackle Josh Jones: On the play in which Leary was strip-sacked, Jones went to his right to block Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks. The only problem was Brooks appeared to be Samac’s responsibility. The result was disastrous. Mosby raced by untouched on the outside with Jones flailing to try to get a hand on him. Leary, who was pulled the ball back from running back John Kelly on a run-pass option, got pounced on from behind. The ball shot free and Johnson eventually picked it up along the far sideline on his way to the end zone. Cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams: Firmly on the roster bubble coming into the game with Baltimore boasting a handful of adept slot cornerbacks, Williams did not make a strong argument to be on the 53-man roster. His worst moment came midway through the second quarter when Michael Pratt lofted a pass toward the corner of the end zone and receiver Bo Melton, who not only beat Williams on the route but out-leaped him for the catch. Williams was essentially a spectator on the play and did not make a play on the ball. Things didn’t get much better as the game went and with Williams still in the game in the fourth quarter, he stood out for the wrong reasons and is probably on the wrong side of the roster bubble. Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson: The 2023 fourth-round pick finished with five tackles and two quarterback hits, but too often he was a nonfactor for a defense that was largely disappointing when it came to pressuring the quarterback. Too often, Robinson continues to struggle to get off blocks and usually ends up chasing on plays. Other times, he simply missed tackles and in one particular example did not finish the play while trying to chase down Clifford on a rollout. The offensive line: For a second straight game, the offensive line struggled to generate much in the way of running room for Wright or others. Baltimore finished with just 98 rushing yards, only some of which could be attributed to its backs. Thee first-team line of Jones, Andrew Vorhees (left guard), Samac, Daniel Faalele (right guard) and Roger Rosengarten (right tackle) lacked some push against the Packers, much the way they did in joint practice earlier in the week. There were other issues, too, including a false start on Faalele on third-and-12 in the first quarter and a holding penalty on Sala Aumavae-Laulu on first-and-10 in the third quarter. “I feel like we have a lot more work to do, but also I feel like we’re in a good spot just with all the moving pieces,” Faalele said. “I feel like we’ve done a good job at adapting to new people and new plays.” One major difference, of course, is that left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Linderbaum are both expected to be on the field in Week 1 against the Chiefs. Season opener Ravens at Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 8:20 p.m. TV: NBC Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Green Bay Packers' Kalen King causes Baltimore Ravens' Riley Sharp to fumble during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Baltimore Ravens' Yvandy Rigby tries to stop Green Bay Packers' Joel Wilson during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson is seen during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs the ball during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps Baltimore Ravens' Zay Flowers signs an autograph before a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Green Bay Packers cornerback Kalen King (34) loses his helmet after tackling Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker (81) the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps Ravens running back Owen Wright is taken off the field on a cart during the first half of Saturday's preseason finale against the Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Matt Ludtke/AP) Green Bay Packers Sean Clifford throws under pressure during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Green Bay Packers safety Anthony Johnson Jr. (36) picks up a fumble and runs it in for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps Baltimore Ravens' Damarion Williams stops Green Bay Packers Sean Clifford during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Green Bay Packers running back Ellis Merriweather (38) is tackled by the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps Green Bay Packers' Anthony Johnson Jr. runs back a fumble for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens' Chris Collier runs during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Baltimore Ravens' Charlie Kolar tries to get past Green Bay Packers' Kalen King during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Baltimore Ravens' Nick Samac is taken off the field on a cart during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 24: Trayvon Mullen #30 of the Baltimore Ravens leaves the field with an injury during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace dives for the end zone to score a touchdown past Packers safety Zayne Anderson during the first half of Saturday's preseason finale in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Mike Roemer/AP) Baltimore Ravens' Tylan Wallace runs for a touchdown after a catch in front of Green Bay Packers' Christian Young during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Baltimore Ravens' Joe Evans tries to stop Green Bay Packers' Michael Pratt during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens' Josh Johnson throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) Baltimore Ravens' Joe Evans tries to stop Green Bay Packers Sean Clifford during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Show Caption1 of 21Green Bay Packers' Kalen King causes Baltimore Ravens' Riley Sharp to fumble during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Expand View the full article

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The last time the Ravens and Packers played, Aaron Rodgers was Green Bay’s quarterback, Lamar Jackson was sidelined with a sprained ankle and the Packers held on to win, 31-30, in a key late-season victory on Dec. 19, 2021, at M&T Bank Stadium. There of course will be much less at stake for Saturday afternoon’s preseason finale at Lambeau Field. Most of Baltimore’s regular starters won’t play, just as they haven’t in the first two preseason games. The outcome will merely — and importantly — shift the Ravens’ focus to the regular season, with a rematch of the AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs to open the season looming less than two weeks away. Still, it will provide one last opportunity for players on the bubble to impress coaches before the roster is trimmed to 53 players on Tuesday. With that in mind, there will be a few key things to watch for, from the offensive line to the backfield to the secondary and elsewhere. Here are the Ravens players with the most at stake as the preseason draws to a close. Offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu Remember when Aumavae-Laulu was touted as a possible starter at left guard during his rookie year last preseason? After not playing a snap all season, he hasn’t challenged for either opening at guard. In fact, Baltimore using him at tackle in the second half of last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons could be a sign of uncertainty in terms of where he best fits. He seems to be firmly on the bubble. What could work in Aumavae-Laulu’s favor, though, is that he might not have a lot of competition as a backup guard. Running back Rasheen Ali A fifth-round rookie out of Marshall, Ali has been wholly unimpressive in the preseason with just 26 yards on 10 carries and his longest run going for 5 yards. He has also struggled in short-yardage situations and missed time because of a stinger. Owen Wright, in his second year after going undrafted and spending last season on the practice squad, has outplayed Ali, but not by much. It’s possible the Ravens decide to carry just two running backs on their active roster with Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, but unlikely. Baltimore is reticent to cut draft picks — though they did so with last year with fifth-round cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly — and that could perhaps play into the decision when it comes to choosing between Ali and Wright. Inside linebacker Josh Ross Ross’ roster spot could come down to how Baltimore decides to use the versatile Malik Harrison. To wit, if the Ravens can get meaningful contributions from David Ojabo and rookie Adisa Isaac on the outside, then they could keep Harrison on the inside at off-ball linebacker, thus lessening Ross’ chances of making the roster. If they need to move Harrison back outside as a dependable edge setter who can also rush the passer, then keeping Ross, along with special teams ace Chris Board, on the inside behind Trenton Simpson and Roquan Smith makes sense. Isaac suffering another soft-tissue injury certainly helps Ross’ chances. Ravens cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams is battling for a spot in a deep group of defensive backs. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Cornerback Damarion ‘Pepe’ Williams Williams doesn’t land here so much because of his play, but because of the dynamics of the Ravens’ defensive backfield. Baltimore already has a handful of slot defenders, and though Williams has outperformed Ka’Dar Hollman, the latter provides special teams versatility and experience that Williams does not. Still, a good performance Saturday could help bolster his chances. So does veteran Arthur Maulet being injured. If Maulet ends up having to go on injured reserve because of his knee injury, he would have to miss at least the first four games of the season. If he doesn’t, that could be a strike against Williams’ chances. Safety Sanoussi Kane Speaking of injured players, Kane has been sidelined with a stinger since the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. The seventh-round pick out of Purdue did return to practice earlier this week and was on the field for the joint practice against the Packers on Thursday. That helps. Now he’ll have to show what he can do in a game. The Ravens already have four safeties ahead of him with Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Ar’Darius Washington and Eddie Jackson, so it’s likely Kane would be headed for a spot on the practice squad. Wide receiver Anthony Miller The top three receiver spots belong to Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor. After that, two more spots figure to be some combination of rookie fourth-round pick Devontez Walker, returner Deonte Harty and special teams ace Tylan Wallace. Could Miller nab the sixth and final spot, if the Ravens keep that many receivers? He’s been with the Ravens for two weeks but has shown some juice in practice and had three catches on three targets for 16 yards against the Falcons. A good outing Saturday could give him a shot to make the roster. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ offensive line could be the gamble that undermines Super Bowl roster | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations from joint practice with Packers on Lamar Jackson, offensive line and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Finally, the Ravens get some fresh competition in Green Bay | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens wide receiver Keith Kirkwood never quit. He has his daughter to thank. Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch in Ravens vs. Packers joint practice: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry in action Center Nick Samac While Ben Cleveland still hasn’t developed into the dependable starter the Ravens hoped he would be when they drafted him in the third round three years ago, he perhaps solidified a roster spot with his versatility to play center and guard. He has proven he can play both at an acceptable level off the bench. That also might be what costs Samac, a rookie seventh-rounder from Michigan State, a spot as Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum’s backup. Samac got some first-team reps at center in the joint practice with the Packers, but he did not seem to stand out. Perhaps more reps and a good showing in Saturday’s game will help his chances. Preseason finale Ravens at Packers Saturday, 1 p.m. TV: NBC Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

Every spring, as they prepare for a new wave of free agency and another draft, Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh trumpet the same philosophy: A great offense is built on the bedrock of a great offensive line. So it was surprising when the Ravens, coming off a dominant 2023 season and pegged as a Super Bowl contender again for 2024, embraced significant risk with the unit that protects franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson and paves trails for one of the sport’s most efficient ground attacks. They had right tackle Morgan Moses under contract for another year and likely could have re-signed right guard Kevin Zeitler for a modest price. Both veterans played well in 2023 until injuries caught up with them late. The Ravens kept neither, calculating that Moses and Zeitler’s health risks would persist as they play into their mid-30s. DeCosta also did not sign an experienced starter in free agency. He chose youth, drafting tackle Roger Rosengarten in the second round and putting Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele, who’ve started one NFL game between them, in position to win the left and right guard jobs, respectively. Only left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum were guaranteed starting spots when the Ravens opened camp in late July. As such, analysts routinely pointed to the offensive line when questioning the team’s Super Bowl qualifications. Pro Football Focus placed the group 25th in its preseason unit rankings (the Detroit Lions, with Zeitler at guard, topped the list). A month later, with the Ravens about to play their final preseason game and the season opener with the Kansas City Chiefs less than two weeks away, the same questions persist. We have a clearer idea who’s going to start — Faalele and Vorhees at guard with Rosengarten and Patrick Mekari still battling at right tackle — against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions on Sept. 5. How effective they’ll be is far less certain based on what we’ve seen this summer. This could be the gamble that undermines a roster designed to take the Ravens all the way to February. “I understand why the concern,” Harbaugh said Tuesday as the team prepared to fly to Green Bay for a joint practice and the preseason finale against the Packers. “I get the questions, and we’re all going to find out real soon, and it will be an ongoing [process].” He’s in the bunker now, working with the tools he has, so he has little choice but to push forward optimistically. The Ravens have their eye on the outside market, and it would be no surprise if they add a veteran lineman or two once teams cut their rosters next week. But everyone is looking for quality blockers, so the chances of finding a starting candidate are slim. The Ravens’ offensive line is relying on three new starters this year. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Instead, the Ravens have to hope that Vorhees’ inconsistent preseason is just him working out some technical kinks, that Rosengarten’s relatively slender frame will hold up to NFL bull rushers and that Faalele will acclimate to the quicker twitch required for interior blocking. To Harbaugh’s point, all three have flashed promising signs. There’s just considerable uncertainty packed into a five-man group that needs to become a dependably synchronous unit. “It’d be nice to have 22 starters out there that they’ve been playing, and they’re all great players, and you knew how they were going to play, and they were self-sufficient and proven guys, but that’s never the case,” Harbaugh said. “I’m excited about these guys, and the exciting thing about that kind of a situation is that the upside is something you kind of lean into. From an optimistic point of view, you say, ‘What can these guys be? Why not be great?’” Faalele’s seeming hold on the right guard job is the biggest surprise. He was drafted as a developmental tackle and seen as a candidate to succeed Moses going into offseason workouts. Instead, the Ravens redirected his remarkable 6-foot-8, 380-pound mass inside. He has worked hard to shorten up his pass-blocking sets against hard-charging interior rushers and graded well in that area in the Ravens’ second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. He missed an early run block that led to a stop for no gain, highlighting the degree to which he’ll need to compensate for his lack of natural quickness. But Faalele has performed well enough in games to strengthen his grip on a starting job. Considering his wildly inconsistent pass blocking at tackle last season, the Ravens will be thrilled if this guard experiment works. “He’s done a really good job in terms of pass protection,” Harbaugh said. “His room for improvement is really vast, because he’s so talented, and he’s naturally able to do so many good things. When he takes the next step in terms of an urgency in the movement that comes with confidence, you’re going to see a more physical player, because the physicality is there. He’s big, and he can move, and he can bend. He’s a powerful man, and he wants to be good. I think the upside is pretty immense.” The powerful Vorhees, meanwhile, was seen as the most likely starter among the inexperienced linemen entering camp, but he has struggled the most in games. He’s not controlling pass rushers with his hands, and backup quarterback Josh Johnson was buried on an early snap against the Falcons because of it. Vorhees, who missed all of last season as he rehabilitated a knee injury that dropped him to the seventh round of the 2023 draft, received a 0.0 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus for that performance. Ravens rookie Roger Rosengarten has looked steady at right tackle. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Rosengarten, the rookie from Washington, has looked steadier on the right edge, flashing the mobility that made him a well-regarded second-tier prospect in a loaded tackle class. His run- and pass-blocking grades improved as his snap load grew in the second preseason game, so he’s pointed in the right direction, perhaps giving the Ravens enough evidence to keep Mekari in his familiar super-utility role. Having Mekari as insurance feels more important than ever because this isn’t a deep group beyond the top six. Ben Cleveland has not pushed for the starting guard role many thought would be his. Josh Jones is a viable reserve tackle, but he’s penalty-prone. The Ravens averaged just 1.7 yards per carry in the first half against Atlanta, an alarming statistic that highlighted a less-discussed weakness on their offensive line — the lack of a bruising in-line blocker at tight end. They would like to reduce their reliance on Patrick Ricard because they believe their offense becomes too predictable when he’s consistently leading the charge on runs. But third-year tight end Charlie Kolar remains a work in progress no matter how much he has bulked up and embraced becoming a battering ram. Nick Boyle he ain’t. Even the certainties on this line don’t feel entirely certain. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 7 Ravens with most at stake entering Saturday’s preseason finale at Packers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations from joint practice with Packers on Lamar Jackson, offensive line and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Finally, the Ravens get some fresh competition in Green Bay | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens wide receiver Keith Kirkwood never quit. He has his daughter to thank. Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch in Ravens vs. Packers joint practice: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry in action The group is trying to come together without the familiar guidance of ailing coach Joe D’Alessandris, replaced for now by George Warhop, who’s still learning his personnel. Stanley took a pay cut in the offseason and is confronting his crossroads season with vigor, looking trim and participating in every workout. But he has played just 31 games over the past four seasons, and injuries kept him from performing to his usual standard for much of last year. Another significant one could imperil the 30-year-old’s NFL future and leave the Ravens stretched impossibly thin. Linderbaum is a rising star at center but missed much of training camp with a neck injury. Harbaugh said Monday he’s on track, and the Ravens have to hope his health is not added to the list of worries around their most worrisome position group. Perhaps we’ll look back in January and say all this fretting was misplaced. Perhaps we’ll say DeCosta was astute in overhauling a creaky 2023 unit and managing his salary cap in the same fell swoop. The Ravens won big with young, lightly tested lines in Harbaugh’s early years. Maybe they will again. Maybe. View the full article

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander came into the NFL together, separated by 13 picks in the 2018 draft. Alexander went 18th overall to Green Bay, and Baltimore traded up to select Jackson with the final pick of the first round. But before both players became Pro Bowl selections — and in Jackson’s case, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player — they were teammates at Louisville. On Thursday, they were reunited at the Packers’ practice facility across the street from Lambeau Field. The two former college stars first rode bicycles given to them by kids lining the street between the stadium and the practice fields before chatting with each other ahead of the sun-splashed joint practice. “It’s like watching a distant cousin or brother,” Alexander said of watching Jackson’s success from afar. “I always joke with him saying, ‘When we gonna meet in the Super Bowl?’ I think the time is coming soon.” For now, they had to settle for the end of training camp. With the Ravens not playing almost any of their starters during the preseason, including Saturday’s finale against Green Bay, the 2 1/2-hour session was the best glimpse yet of Jackson, new running back Derrick Henry, a work-in-progress offensive line and a revamped defense that a season ago led the NFL in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game with both teams playing starters for multiple periods. “They’re a very good team,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the Packers, who made a surprising run to the NFC divisional round last season with one of the youngest offenses in league history. “I thought our guys did well. “It was good to get out there in a little up-tempo situation against another team, situationally, and try to handle the problems that are caused by that.” There were some notably good plays, on offense and defense, but the results were largely mixed for the Ravens. Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker signs autographs during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson catches a pass during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) catches a pass during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) The Baltimore Ravens huddle before the start of an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Packers coach Matt LaFleur shares a word with Ravens running back Derrick Henry on Thursday. (Matt Ludtke/AP) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a pass during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a pass during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander, left, and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson talk during Thursday's practice in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Matt Ludtke/AP) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) catches a pass during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson (17) throws a pass during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson (17) throws a pass during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Emory Jones (10) hands the ball off to running back John Kelly Jr. (33) during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Isaiah Washington (86) catches a pass during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Fans come out in Green Bay for the Ravens’ joint practice with the Packers. (Brian Wacker/Staff) Fans come out in Green Bay for the Ravens’ joint practice with the Packers. (Brian Wacker/Staff) Fans come out in Green Bay for the Ravens’ joint practice with the Packers. (Brian Wacker/Staff) Fans come out in Green Bay for the Ravens’ joint practice with the Packers. (Brian Wacker/Staff) Show Caption1 of 17Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker signs autographs during an NFL football joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Expand Lamar Jackson The Ravens’ first play from scrimmage during 11-on-11 play ended somewhat dubiously with defensive tackle Kenny Clark sacking Jackson. But during the first two periods with starters going against one another, Jackson also had moments of taking what the defense gave him. He hit wide receiver Zay Flowers on a short route that went for about 20 yards up the right sideline and later connected with receiver Tylan Wallace on a crossing route with cornerback Eric Stokes trailing. He also hit receiver Anthony Miller for about 10 yards in the middle of the field with cornerback Corey Ballentine in tight coverage. There was also some chemistry with receiver Rashod Bateman, who had a couple of nice grabs, though a deep pass from Jackson to Bateman was broken up when Stokes and safety Xavier McKinney converged on the ball. “I thought he looked really good,” Harbaugh said of Jackson. “I also think that the value of this thing … because he’s coming back there telling me, ‘I should’ve done this. I should’ve done that.’ It’s just another kind of a circumstance for him to be in where he can kind of get ready for the season.” Offensive line The Ravens’ starting offensive line has started to come into focus over the past couple of weeks, with Andrew Vorhees at left guard, Daniel Faalele at right guard and Roger Rosengarten at right tackle. Interestingly, Patrick Mekari took first-team reps at right tackle in the first 11-on-11 series Thursday. As for how the linemen performed, Harbaugh said he thought they looked good. But there were plenty of times when they struggled against the Packers’ fast and physical front. Rosengarten, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, rookie Nick Samac — who got the nod at center with Tyler Linderbaum still dealing with a neck injury — and Faalele all had moments in which they got beat. It happened frequently enough that Jackson was routinely forced into scramble mode, be it in 11-on-11 play and especially in the red zone. “I thought their bull rush was really good, [their] run defense was really solid [and] strong,” Harbaugh said. “It looked like a bunch of big dudes that played hard. I was impressed with them. “You’re not going to be perfect, and Lamar definitely held the ball. Lamar was not looking to run; he was looking to stay in there and throw. I think he probably would run more in a game than he did today, and that’s a problem for the defense, too. From what could see [when] I was standing there — I can’t wait to see the tape — but I was happy with how firm the pocket was 90% of the time.” The tape will be telling, but other moments stood out, including four false starts between the first and second teams in the first two 11-on-11 periods and what appeared to be some struggles with pass protection in the red zone. Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary had at least one coverage sack of Jackson, while defensive linemen Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox Jr. had at least one pressure and a sack on backup Josh Johnson. Packers coach Matt LaFleur shares a word with Ravens running back Derrick Henry on Thursday. (Matt Ludtke/AP) Derrick Henry Henry rolled into practice on a bike with a sign that read “King Henry’s Royal Ride” and then looked pretty much as advertised. While the Ravens’ offensive line struggled with pass protection, they seemed to handle run blocking a bit better, opening some nice lanes for the four-time Pro Bowl selection. Henry burst through the line and into the Packers’ secondary on more than a few occasions. But the Ravens also did not burden the 30-year-old veteran with many carries. “He’s an explosive guy,” Harbaugh said. “He’s always critical of himself. He’s like, ‘Ah, I should’ve taken that one outside,’ or ‘I should’ve taken that one back.’ I love his attention to detail.” Defense Baltimore’s defense stood out in several ways, especially up front. In 11-on-11 play, middle linebacker Roquan Smith intercepted quarterback Jordan Love, who essentially threw the ball right to him as he tried to connect with wide receiver Jayden Reed over the middle. Defensive lineman Justin Madubuike and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh both had multiple pressures on Love. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce deflected a pass. The secondary had a little less success — at least in the red zone — but still had plenty of standouts. Notably, cornerbacks Brandon Stephens and Marlon Humphrey were largely sticky in coverage, though Stephens got lost during one red zone score and gave up a roughly 40-yard completion from Love to Romeo Doubs. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins, meanwhile, got burned deep a couple of times, including once by Grant DuBose, who got behind the former Clemson star and hauled in a long pass. Wide receiver Malik Heath also beat Wiggins on a go route down the sideline with backup Sean Clifford hitting him in stride. In four red-zone periods, Love threw four touchdown passes with one interception. Kicking Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was his usual accurate self, though he did come up short on a 62-yard field goal attempt. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Finally, the Ravens get some fresh competition in Green Bay | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens wide receiver Keith Kirkwood never quit. He has his daughter to thank. Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch in Ravens vs. Packers joint practice: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry in action Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Adisa Isaac’s latest injury, Devontez Walker’s impressive day Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 20, 2024 | PHOTOS Attendance The only new absence for the Ravens was wide receiver Nelson Agholor. Others who did not practice included cornerback Arthur Maulet (knee), rookie outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (soft tissue), Linderbaum and tight end Mark Andrews, who was in a car accident last week but is not dealing with any serious injury, according to Harbaugh. It should be noted, however, that Linderbaum and Andrews were both in attendance. Andrews also did some light running as players broke into positional drills before the teams converged on the same field. Safety Kyle Hamilton also briefly left the field after covering Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, but Harbaugh said the All-Pro’s injury was not serious. View the full article

The Ravens need fresh meat. After weeks of competing against themselves during training camp, which often gets boring, they are finally getting some Thursday morning in Green Bay at a joint practice with the Packers in advance of Saturday’s preseason finale. It’s easy to determine who would win individual matchups when players go after each other for a month straight. Players have certain nuances and teams have certain styles. Then there is the “brother-in-law” factor, when players just go through the motions, but that can’t happen Thursday morning. Both the Packers and Ravens are playoff contenders. Both teams won a postseason game a year ago, with Baltimore, which had the NFL’s best regular-season record, beating the Houston Texans and the Packers stunning the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams lost to their respective conference champions. “I think you’re talking about some competitive human beings, and everybody wants to win all the time,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the decision to practice only one day against the Packers. “So, that practice intensity gets to a level sometimes where on the second day, where it’s not as productive as it was on the first day.” The Ravens’ offensive line is worth watching. The season opener is two weeks away and the unit is still a work in progress with a cast of players going through as fast as a revolving door. In Green Bay, the Ravens will face quarterback Jordan Love, one of the NFL’s bright young stars after he threw for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns last season in his first year as the starter. He has a talented group of young receivers led by Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs. Even though Love won’t get hit in practice, it will be interesting to see whether the Ravens can pressure him, or if their front seven can stuff the Packers’ running game. The Ravens allowed 146 yards on 38 carries in a 16-13 loss to Philadelphia in the preseason opener and then gave up 151 yards on 31 carries in a 13-12 win over Atlanta a week later. Yes, the Ravens were without their star defenders such as middle linebacker Roquan Smith and end/tackle Justin Madubuike, but some of their regulars — tackles Broderick Washington, Travis Jones and Brent Urban and linebackers David Ojabo and Trenton Simpson — did suit up. Ever since defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis produced that record-setting defense in 2000, the Ravens have usually been able to cut off the run first and then shut down the passing game. Thursday will be a good test of that philosophy, as Green Bay signed former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs in the offseason to pair with bruiser AJ Dillon. Ravens defensive ends Brent Urban, left, and C.J. Ravenell block defensive tackle Broderick Washington during practice on Monday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “The mindset of the two teams is the most important thing,” Harbaugh said. “If both teams come in with the same idea, that they’re two good football teams that are trying to take advantage of an opportunity to practice against another good football team and get a good football practice in, that’s what you want. We’re excited to go against Green Bay. We think they’re that kind of a group. [They’re] a good football team. [They’re] right there; [they were] almost in the NFC championship game, [and they’re] a proven team.” The Ravens have had some busted coverages throughout training camp. Perhaps that’s to be expected with so much transition among coaches, including having Zach Orr take over as defensive coordinator. It could take this group some time to reach last year’s level. But Baltimore needs to improve in other areas, too. Starting center Tyler Linderbaum hasn’t practiced this month because of a soft-tissue injury in his neck, and the Ravens have used at least four centers in his place. The revolving door on the offensive line seems to have slowed with Baltimore appearing to settle on Daniel Faalele at right guard and Andrew Vorhees at left guard. Ronnie Stanley will start at left tackle, but the right side position is a battle between Patrick Mekari and rookie Roger Rosengarten, who appears to be the long-term answer. Rhythm and familiarity are what make the offensive line work well together. Against Green Bay, the Ravens will face a group that likes to get up field and penetrate. The Packers have several explosive players on the defensive front in edge rushers Preston Smith and Rashan Gary and tackle Kenny Clark, all of whom had more than seven sacks last season. “There’s an opportunity to see a different style that we haven’t seen before, plus just the level of intensity,” Harbaugh said. “Getting guys locked in and focused at the end of a long camp, there’s a benefit in that.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens wide receiver Keith Kirkwood never quit. He has his daughter to thank. Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch in Ravens vs. Packers joint practice: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry in action Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Adisa Isaac’s latest injury, Devontez Walker’s impressive day Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 20, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens will ride bikes to practice in Green Bay. No, really. Regardless of changes in the game, it always comes down to the interior lines. The Packers will see some of quarterback Lamar Jackson with running back Derrick Henry, a combination Ravens fans haven’t seen yet, but Baltimore isn’t going to show too many of its cards. Some basic plays and schemes are revealed, but others remain a secret. Defensively, the Ravens still need to show that they can provide a consistent pass rush after leading the NFL with 60 sacks a year ago and that their cornerbacks — Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens and rookie Nate Wiggins — are up to the task. The other attraction will be receivers Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman playing against Packers safety Xavier McKinney and cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. But the Ravens need to be ready to win the battle of the interior lines. It’s good for the psyche of this team and could be the key to another deep postseason run. View the full article

Keith Kirkwood made the most impactful decision of his NFL career sitting on the toilet. It was the day before the 2018 NFL draft. Kirkwood was in the bathroom at his grandfather’s house in Neptune, New Jersey, mulling over his future. Despite a successful college career at Temple, league pundits weren’t certain he’d hear his name called. Kirkwood walked into that bathroom thinking if he could play at least one NFL season, that would be enough — dream realized. If he had to go be a police officer or a janitor afterward, he told his wife Shayna, so be it. “Everything inside of me [was] like, ‘Ah, I don’t wanna do the NFL,’” he thought. But Kirkwood had a realization that day with his pants wrapped around his ankles. If he quit football, what kind of example would that set for Aria, the daughter he’s raised like his own? The undrafted free agent receiver has been cut, hurt, inactive and designated to practice squads over six years in the league. The Ravens finalize their 53-man roster at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Now with a second daughter, Kali, and a son due in November, Kirkwood still isn’t quitting football. Aria is Shayna’s daughter. Her biological father tragically drowned off the Jersey Shore before she was born. Kirkwood has raised her like his own. He can remember meeting her so vividly. It was at FINS, a Caribbean restaurant in Bradley Beach, New Jersey, where Kirkwood and Shayna had their first date. He was 18 years old. Aria was 1, a glowing cherub dressed in all white. “I just knew I had to be in this child’s life,” Kirkwood said. “Something was filling me in that moment, like a spirit coming over me like, ‘Hey, you cannot leave this child’s side.’ Throughout my entire life, she has been the strength for me not to give up.” They met at a pivotal time in Kirkwood’s life. Ravens wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, a former undrafted free agent, is battling for a spot on the roster. (Kim Hairston/Staff) The lifelong basketball player with multiple Division I offers who many deemed destined for a future in the NBA pivoted before senior year. He was enamored by his peers competing under Friday night lights. Neptune High School football coach Mark Ciccotelli recruited Kirkwood to a preseason seven-on-seven tournament at Rutgers University. It was a trial run, but it turned into so much more. Kirkwood, 6 feet 3 with no concept of routes or formations, caught four touchdown passes. Back at the school, Ciccotelli pulled Kirkwood aside. “Do you want to be a 6-3 center in the NBA? It’s not gonna happen,” Ciccotelli said. “But do you want to be a 6-3 NFL wide receiver? Kid, I believe in you and I know you can be an NFL player one day.” Kirkwood said, “That moment right there changed my entire life.” He went home to his football-wary parents, greeted by a series of lectures on why he should stick with basketball. The next day, Kirkwood tried pleading with his late aunt, Ramona Gonzalez. One forged signature later, he was set on a new path. The University of Hawaii was one of the few schools interested in a late-start recruit with sparse tape. As a freshman 10 hours from home by plane, he wore a band around his wrist to remind him of Shayna and Aria. Hung up in his locker were pictures of his family to remind him of home. When he transferred to Temple, Kirkwood often bunked at Shayna’s parents’ house 90 minutes from the North Philadelphia campus. That meant leaving at 4 a.m. most mornings to get to workouts in time. Kirkwood began his career in New Orleans — a bit of serendipity considering his grandfather’s house was filled with Saints paraphernalia. Injuries hampered his time there and with the Carolina Panthers. But he kept pushing. On a clear-skied afternoon following a recent Ravens training camp practice, Kirkwood retold the rollercoaster it took to land in Baltimore. His head tilted back slightly, letting his eyes shut softly. He took a deep breath. Gratitude poured off his tongue with each twist and turn. “It was such a fulfilling moment,” Kirkwood said. “I was smiling from frickin’ ear to ear.” Earlier this summer, Kirkwood had been home in New Jersey getting his affairs in order. He had come to terms with retiring from football after six seasons. Playing a career-high 13 games with the Saints last year and catching his first touchdown pass since 2018 was plenty to feel proud of. He flew back to New Orleans later that day to check on his property. A text from his agent came not 30 minutes after he deboarded, “Hey, I don’t know if somebody was listening to you but the Ravens wanna bring you in for minicamp.” Kirkwood called Ryan Daly, his beloved trainer of three years, and was on a flight home the next morning. They had four days to get him ready. There were 6 a.m. lifts and extensive mobility workouts. Then they’d get out to the field to get Kirkwood in football shape. Daly said they attacked a plan of mobility, strength and power and then field work. It ended with Kirkwood running the top speed of his life at 29 years old: 21.9 mph. The NFL veteran sobbed tears of joy. Daly got him a hoodie to immortalize the feat. “He’s a guy that just always works really hard,” Daly said. “There are very few guys that you meet in life that they just make you better. When Keith Kirkwood is around, he just makes everybody better.” Trainer Ryan Daly gifted Keith Kirkwood a custom hoodie after the Ravens receiver ran the top speed of his career this offseason. (Courtesy of Ryan Daly/handout Kirkwood finished minicamp healthy and confident. He even caught a touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson on the last day. The Ravens pulled him in for a physical, which he said generally insinuates the player will be signed. Kirkwood went to meet with a scout. The scout let him down easy. He had a great three days and maybe they’d sign him down the road, he said. But not this year. Kirkwood walked to his car head held high. “It was the most unbelievable experience that a seven-year veteran who’s been practice squad, inactive, cut, hurt,” he said, “just to be in that position was unbelievable.” Kirkwood called his family on the drive home to share his career had seemingly reached its curtain call. But before getting back to New Jersey, his phone rang. It was the Ravens’ front office. There was a miscommunication and they wanted to sign him. He’s had three catches for 56 yards over two preseason games. He’s taken some reps with the starters. But Baltimore’s receiver room is overcrowded with limited spots available. Whatever happens next week, he never quit. “Sometimes when I can close my eyes and take that deep breath, I can think about all those trials I’ve been through,” Kirkwood said. “When I walk out of that building — whether on this team or not — I’m gonna have my head held high and I’m gonna be the happiest guy on this earth.” View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hasn’t taken a snap in a preseason game since 2021, and that’s not changing this year. “I’m very competitive, so sometimes I do [say], ‘I want to go play,’ but at the same time I know why our coaches [are] keeping us off the field,” he said this week. “I’d rather just play [the] regular season than going out there and things happen.” Jackson will, however, be on the field for the next closest thing Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Ravens and Packers will hold a joint practice two days ahead of their preseason finale at Lambeau Field. With nearly all of Baltimore’s expected starters not participating during the preseason — and in most cases their opponents doing largely the same — practicing against the Packers servers as the best competitive action Jackson, new running back Derrick Henry and the rest of the starters on offense and defense will have this summer before the Ravens kick off their season Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. In matching up with Green Bay, the Ravens also face a team that made the playoffs a season ago and is expected to be contend with the Detroit Lions for the NFC North title this year, so it should be a good barometer. “You have a chance to go against a different style [of defense],” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, noting the Packers’ defensive line’s upfield, penetrating style of play that is similar to Baltimore’s Week 3 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys. “Plus, the level of intensity getting guys locked in and focused at the end of a long camp, there’s a benefit to that.” The meeting will also serve as showcase of two of the game’s best and most dynamic quarterbacks. Jackson, 27, is a two-time and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, while Jordan Love, 25, is coming off a season in which he threw for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while completing 64.2% of his passes in his first year as Green Bay’s starter. The two have never met, on or off the field, and Jackson said he’s looking forward to the opportunity. The practice will take place at 10:30 a.m. CT and there will be just one — as opposed to what has often in the past been two — in an effort to cut down on the likelihood of scuffles breaking out. Players will once again carry out what’s been a tradition in Green Bay, too, with fans bringing bikes for them to ride to practice. Here’s what else to keep an eye on. Lamar Jackson against Packers defense In the early part of training camp, Jackson’s play was inconsistent. Timing with his receivers was sometimes off. His deep throws were often underthrown. Underneath passes were occasionally off the mark. That’s subsided for the most part in recent weeks, and the seventh-year quarterback has fallen into a nice rhythm with wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as well as tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, among others. Now comes the opportunity to play against someone other than his own defense. The Packers were very much middle-of-the pack defensively last season, but they have a talented front with edge rushers Preston Smith (eight sacks in 2023) and Rashan Gary (nine sacks) and defensive tackle Kenny Clark (7 1/2 sacks). On the back end, they added veteran safety Xavier McKinney and feature rising young cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. “Some competitiveness — just not going against my guys each and every day,” Jackson said when asked what he’s looking forward to. “Finally get to go against someone else. Especially [since] I’m not playing preseason, [it’s] just great to see how we are against other opponents.” Practicing against the Packers will be the closest Ravens running back comes to live game action during the preseason. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Derrick Henry’s debut It’s been even longer — 2018 — since Henry has played in the preseason, and that’s not changing in Baltimore. Practicing against the Packers will likewise be the closest he comes to live game action, and it will be worth watching how he and Jackson operate in what is one of the NFL’s most dynamic backfields. Henry, who spent his first eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans before signing as a free agent, is likewise looking forward to the contact he’ll face in Green Bay. “I think it’s fun,” he said of the joint practice. “We’ve been going against one another for about a month. You get to practice against another team, see some different looks, and [it] kind of gives us a good look and see how far we are and things we need to work on as an offense.” The offensive line Harbaugh said at the start of training camp that he would like to have the offensive line figured out within the first two or three weeks. That time has come and gone, and the two guard spots and starting right tackle job remain open, though there are strong indications of what direction the Ravens are leaning. The joint practice along with possibly the preseason finale could help solidify it. So far, it seems apparent Baltimore is content with Andrew Vorhees at left guard, Daniel Faalele at right guard and Roger Rosengarten at right tackle. Patrick Mekari could perhaps end up starting over Rosengarten, especially early, but Baltimore prefers the 27-year-old veteran as a swing tackle. “I think we’re close,” Harbaugh said. “I think we have a pretty good idea and what way it’s trending in different areas. It’s not altogether solidified, but we’re in a good place right now.” Secondary matchups Once a question mark between roster turnover and potential injury concerns is now a strength of the Ravens, who have a deep and talented secondary. First-round draft pick Nate Wiggins shined in Baltimore’s preseason opener but suffered a shoulder injury in the process and only recently returned to practice. Getting him reps against the Packers’ top receivers of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed should offer even more insight. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens wide receiver Keith Kirkwood never quit. He has his daughter to thank. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Adisa Isaac’s latest injury, Devontez Walker’s impressive day Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 20, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens will ride bikes to practice in Green Bay. No, really. Baltimore Ravens | Hometown star Beau Brade hopes to beat the odds and make the Ravens It will also be interesting to see how the Ravens deploy some of their depth pieces against the Packers in practice, be it Eddie Jackson as the third man in a three-safety look or Ar’Darius Washington playing in the nickel role typically occupied by the injured Arthur Maulet. And it presents an opportunity for rookies T.J. Tampa and Sanoussi Kane to show what they can do. Running back and wide receiver depth There remains some mild intrigue when it comes to the back end of the running back and wide receiver rooms. Rookie back Rasheen Ali has looked largely unimpressive in preseason play, then suffered a stinger and only returned to practice on Tuesday. Second-year undrafted free agent Owen Wright, meanwhile, had a solid preseason opener, only to take a step back Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons. Ali figures to have the edge to be the third back behind Henry and Justice Hill after being drafted in the fifth round, but he might have to show something this week. Meanwhile, the sixth wide receiver spot — if the team carries that many on its 53-man roster — seems wholly up for grabs. Flowers, Bateman and Nelson Agholor occupy the first three spots on the depth chart. After that, in some order, are likely Deonte Harty and Tylan Wallace, given their special teams ability. That leaves fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker, recently signed veteran Anthony Miller and undrafted free agent Dayton Wade competing for a spot. View the full article

Undrafted tight end Qadir Ismail played an important role for the Ravens on their final day of training camp Tuesday before departing for Green Bay for their preseason finale: He covered up his purple No. 83 jersey with a yellow No. 87. Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the Ravens are shifting their focus to the Kansas City Chiefs, who host Baltimore on Sept. 5 in the NFL’s regular-season opener. So on Tuesday, Ismail roleplayed as Travis Kelce. Kelce tormented the Ravens in the AFC championship game last season and has 33 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns in five career regular-season matchups against Baltimore. Scout team quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Devin Leary peppered Ismail with targets in the flat, across the middle and up the seam to give Baltimore’s first-team defense a look at what they’ll potentially see from the star tight end in Week 1. Ismail has had one of the most impressive camps of any Ravens pass catcher. Unfortunately for the son of former Ravens wide receiver and broadcaster Qadry Ismail, he plays the same position as Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. And the Ravens likely won’t keep more than three tight ends. Ismail could stick around on the Ravens’ practice squad. He’ll also have one more preseason game to perhaps show other teams he’s worth a roster spot. Until then, he’s helping the Ravens prepare for a familiar foe. Adisa Isaac injured again Isaac, a rookie edge rusher from Penn State whom the Ravens took in the third round, suffered another soft tissue injury, Harbaugh said Tuesday. This one is in the opposite leg from his previous hamstring injury, which kept him sidelined for most of the summer. “It’s not going to keep him out like he was before,” Harbaugh said. “It’s just a matter of him working into football shape. He’ll have to work into that and I’m sure he will.” The 22-year-old stood out in limited opportunities during Baltimore’s second preseason game Saturday before exiting early. Isaac didn’t practice Monday and worked on a backfield with trainers during Tuesday’s practice. The Ravens’ edge rusher group is full of question marks and is now even more murky. The team is relying on Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo to take leaps in their fourth and third seasons, respectively, and continued production from 33-year-old Kyle Van Noy. Isaac could have helped supplement the loss of veteran Jadeveon Clowney, but it’s again unknown when the rookie will be ready to contribute. Rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker had his best day of training camp on Tuesday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Devontez Walker finally flashes Walker has had a difficult training camp. He’s been uninvolved in most offensive sessions for weeks and hasn’t caught a ball in two preseason games as he works back from a rib injury. But Tuesday was one of his best days of the summer. The rookie fourth-round pick caught three passes from Johnson and Leary against the first-team defense, capped by a touchdown from about 50 yards out that he grabbed over safety Marcus Williams. Walker was always likely to make the Ravens’ 53-man roster, even though they’ve been willing to cut Day 3 draft picks before and Walker’s struggled to stand out. He’s also a candidate to start the season on injured reserve if his rib injury proves too serious to play through. Tuesday was a step in the right direction. Saturday will be another test for him to show he’s healthy. Walker’s grabs were the lone highlights of an otherwise sloppy day from the offense. Lamar Jackson was out of sync with his receivers on multiple occasions. The star quarterback was intercepted by Ka’dar Hollman during goal line work on a ball intended for receiver Tylan Wallace, and several passes sailed incomplete because of miscommunication or incorrect routes. Attendance report Rookie running back Rasheen Ali returned in a limited capacity after missing Monday’s practice. He worked alongside Isaac with trainers on a side field for much of the afternoon. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 20, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens will ride bikes to practice in Green Bay. No, really. Baltimore Ravens | Hometown star Beau Brade hopes to beat the odds and make the Ravens Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has more energy, less fatigue and shakes off brief practice exit Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on upcoming joint practice with Packers, another OL combination and more Cornerback Marlon Humphrey and right tackle Patrick Mekari were both absent Tuesday, although Harbaugh said both are “fine.” Andrews missed practice again after a car accident last Wednesday in which the team said he did not suffer any apparent injuries. Extra points • Anthony Miller was heavily involved in the offense, catching five passes from Jackson during team drills. Miller, who was signed two weeks ago and hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2021, has impressed in his brief stay in Baltimore as he pushes for a roster spot. • Seventh-round rookie Nick Samac took reps as the starting center Tuesday for the second straight day. The Ravens are searching for a true backup at the position with Pro Bowl selection Tyler Linderbaum still out. Mekari and Ben Cleveland have spent time there. • The Ravens spent about 10 minutes Tuesday doing a field goal block exercise. Justin Tucker booted soccer balls while a rotation of defensive backs took turns exploding off the edge and diving to block Tucker’s kick. Only cornerbacks Nate Wiggins, Damarion “Pepe” Williams and Trayvon Mullen were successful. View the full article