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Chuck Smith’s eyebrows furrowed behind tinted sunglasses. The Ravens outside linebackers coach stood behind the podium after Monday’s training camp practice, facing a fair preseason question: Is his defensive group challenging themselves to repeat the team’s NFL-leading 60-sack performance from a year ago? Smith let out a sincere giggle. “Everybody wants to be the best pass rusher in the league,” he said. “I don’t even think about that. I could [not] care less. My goal is to impact quarterbacks by beating them up. Simple as that.” If opposing quarterbacks don’t end plays the way they want, the second-year pass rush guru is happy. The numbers will follow, Smith declared. That said, someone has to be responsible for beating up the quarterback. And with a front seven that looks a little different from last year, who makes up for lost production remains to be seen. “Everybody on the front can be a threat at some point,” Smith said. “Mike [Pierce] was rushing last year. [Broderick Washington] got sacks, Travis [Jones] got sacks. [Brent Urban] had three sacks. You want everyone to be able to do that, and that’s kind of the good thing, we want everyone to be a threat.” The 2023 Ravens defense was among the best in football and a key reason they earned the No. 1 seed and reached the AFC championship game. They were the first unit in NFL history to lead the league in points allowed (16.5 ppg), sacks (60, tying 2006 for a franchise record) and takeaways (31, tied with the New York Giants). Sixteen Ravens registered at least one sack. And three — Justin Madubuike, Kyle Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney — recorded at least nine sacks, making the Ravens one of two teams to do so. The offseason brought change, however. Clowney signed a lucrative two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. And Patrick Queen, who had 3 1/2 sacks, fled for the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Madubuike leads the returners. The All-Pro is expected to repeat similarly dominant numbers — 13 sacks — in 2024. Van Noy, now 33, has the advantage of timing this year. He signed with the Ravens in late September and spent the early stages of the season adjusting to defensive schematics and new relationships. “Now, he’s one of the guys,” coach John Harbaugh said. “Everybody knows him, respects him.” Outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith says the Ravens’ goal is to beat up opposing quarterbacks. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) As an 11-year veteran linebacker, Van Noy said this will be only the third season he’s been able to focus solely on playing on the ball. In other words, “not as much communication, just focusing on my task and opportunity to win a one-on-one.” That could be a bonus toward his sack total. One significant draw in Van Noy coming to Baltimore was playing for Smith, who has a unique approach to coaching the position. “A lot of places worry about scheme,” Van Noy said. “This place worries about scheme and technique, and he’s a pass rush technician, and he’s very good. He’s helped me a lot in my career, and he’s helped other players, and I’m excited to get back to work with him again.” There’s still time for Baltimore to potentially bring in another pass rusher before the start of the season, but if nothing changes, after Madubuike and Van Noy, who might fill the gaps — literally and figuratively — to replicate such a lucrative defensive front? Fourth-year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh is the front-runner who, as Smith said, “came out smoking” in camp. The 2021 first-round draft pick played 13 games last season and recorded five sacks with meager reps behind Clowney and Van Noy. A strong camp has made him a common talking point among teammates. Harbaugh said Oweh’s unique skill set makes him particularly disruptive. “I always hear the little jokes sometimes about him missing sacks,” Smith said. “He did miss seven, eight, nine sacks in a season. So again, he’s getting there. He’s going to be an A-list rusher, and I’m just excited for him. He’s buying in as he always has, he’s a good dude, and no one deserves to finally reach that pinnacle [more] than Odafe, and I think he’s going to go 100% to reach that goal.” Third-year outside linebacker David Ojabo, a former second-round draft pick, would be another candidate, despite recording only one sack in three games after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in November. He and Oweh accompanied Madubuike this offseason on a training trip to Atlanta. The ever-hopeful Smith said Oweh just needs the opportunity — and health — to execute the skill set he’s already flashed. Jones and Pierce combined for three sacks a year ago. As two returning pieces of the Ravens defensive front, they’ll be counted on to fill lost production. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | How Ravens’ Patrick Ricard is helping lead ‘resurgence’ of NFL fullbacks Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Rashod Bateman and T.J. Tampa returning, Tavius Robinson’s potential and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 12, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection: Here’s where things stand after preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on adding WR Anthony Miller, the offensive line battle and more Defensive coordinator Zach Orr anticipates a noticeable third-year jump from Jones in the run and pass games behind a greater familiarity with schematics. Orr added, “When [Pierce] speaks, everybody listens, and he’s still playing at a very high level. So, I’m glad he’s here with us. I’m glad he’s on our team, on our defense.” Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson is another one to monitor. He played in every game as a rookie last year, although he produced only one sack. Smith called him a “glass eater.” Baltimore’s 60 sacks tied its franchise record, so meeting that total would certainly be an uphill battle. But as Smith said, as long as his group can consistently beat up the quarterback, he’ll be happy. “They love learning from [Smith],” Harbaugh said. “So let’s see where it takes us. It was good last year.” View the full article

On the first play of last Wednesday afternoon’s Ravens practice in Owings Mills, Patrick Ricard cleared a path for running back Derrick Henry. Two hours later, he slipped out of the backfield and caught a short pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson. In between, he did just about everything else, lining up in several spots across various formations. Such is life for Baltimore’s versatile fullback, who’s down to about 290 pounds this season from his typical weight of roughly 305. “When I first got asked to play fullback, I didn’t play offense in college, so for me, it was just like, ‘Take it step by step and really be a sponge [and] really ask a lot of questions,’” said Ricard, who’s now entering his eighth season with the Ravens and the final year of his contract. “I had to meet a lot with coaches and players.” For most of the existence of professional football, the fullback’s role was as simplistic as it was barbaric: find a hole in the offensive line, locate man, hit man, repeat. Those days are, of course, long gone, though today’s fullbacks are having something of a renaissance. While only a dozen teams used a fullback on offense last season and only 10 played more than 10% of the offensive snaps, three of the four teams from the AFC and NFC championship games — the Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions — fielded offenses that featured the use of a fullback. The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs did not for the first time in coach Andy Reid’s tenure, but he hasn’t ruled out bringing one back into the fold this season. And the upward trend appears to be growing still. After the Pittsburgh Steelers went without a fullback on the roster last season, they have Jack Colletto, a former college quarterback who switched to linebacker and also played fullback at Oregon State in 2021 and 2022, after adding him to their practice squad last October. The Los Angeles Chargers, meanwhile, spent a fifth-round draft pick on 6-foot-2, 303-pound offensive lineman Jordan McFadden out of Clemson, who has also been getting work at fullback and jumbo tight end under new offensive coordinator (and former Ravens coordinator) Greg Roman during training camp. And The Associated Press added last season a designated spot on its annual All-Pro team for a fullback for the first time since 2015. What’s behind the rebirth? While defenses have gotten smaller and faster to combat offenses that have become smaller and faster with the rise of the passing game over the past two decades, fullbacks now have a chance to use their size to their advantage. “Football is a very cyclic game,” former New England Patriots fullback James Develin said in a recent interview with Not For Long Media. “The fullback position isn’t dead … now there’s an opportunity to exploit defenses in these smaller packages and put 500 pounds in the backfield, put two tight ends on the field and run out of 22 [two tight ends, two running backs] and just smash mouth football again.” “You have to be a hybrid player,” Patrick Ricard said of his role as the Ravens’ fullback. “You need to be able to catch, block in the run game, block in pass protection, move around, be in a bunch of different spots, be a smart player.” (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The Ravens have long operated with a fullback — before Ricard signed with Baltimore as an undrafted defensive end out of Maine in 2017, they had Kyle Juszczyk, now an All-Pro with the 49ers. But when the team changed offensive coordinators last offseason from the run-heavy scheme of Roman to the more spread-out, pass-friendly attack of Todd Monken, there were questions about where — or if — Ricard would fit in. It didn’t help that his return to the field was slowed by offseason hip surgery. “When Monken got hired there were a lot of questions of, ‘Is he gonna use a fullback? Is he gonna use me? How’s he gonna use me? How much is he gonna use me?’” Ricard told The Baltimore Sun in a recent interview. “Because I had hip surgery, I couldn’t show him anything. I already knew a lot of tight end stuff, so I thought why not meet with the offensive line and see what they do and if that’s an opportunity to extend my career? It helped being in that room in terms of pass blocking and run blocking.” Yet, Ricard, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, saw a decrease in his playing time last season, lining up for 39% of the Ravens’ offensive snaps compared with 64% in 2022. His five catches were also his fewest since his rookie season. Per Pro Football Focus, he logged 317 snaps at inline tight end, 65 in the backfield, 45 in the slot, 10 out wide and six as an offensive lineman. He also logged 66 snaps on kick returns and 20 against field goal and extra point tries. That raises the question of whether Ricard’s role will continue to decrease or trend in the opposite direction now that the 30-year-old is healthy, leaner and thus quicker. “There’s always going to be a requirement for a guy like Pat — if you have a guy like Pat,” coach John Harbaugh said. “The questions last year were pretty much kind of debunked. He played a lot, and I think it’s going to be the same thing this year. “He’ll be out there playing, and we’ll find a lot of great roles for him to do. The nice thing is, he can actually run routes and catch the ball, and that’s something that people kind of take for granted that he wouldn’t be able to do.” That was evident in last December’s blowout win over the Miami Dolphins when, with Baltimore on Miami’s goal line, Ricard chip-blocked before leaking out across the formation into a vacant area to make a one-handed touchdown catch. Earlier in the season, in a Week 7 rout of the Detroit Lions, Ricard similarly found himself with no one in sight and rumbled for a 28-yard gain after another short completion from Jackson. And while the bulk of Ricard’s snaps last season came from an inline position, that wasn’t always the case. In Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts, he had a dozen snaps in the backfield compared with just five at inline. Other weeks, he logged just one or two snaps in the backfield, and in others he had as many as five from the slot and three lining up out wide. Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard is a four-time Pro Bowl selection. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) His versatility wasn’t just week to week, but often play to play as he lined up at fullback, as a blocking tight end or extra offensive linemen, or motioned across the formation or to the outside for the Ravens, who had the sixth-highest pre-snap motion rate of any team in the league at 28.2% last season. “You have to be a hybrid player,” Ricard told The Sun. “You need to be able to catch, block in the run game, block in pass protection, move around, be in a bunch of different spots, be a smart player. “It’s hard to find guys like that.” And it’s difficult to learn to be one. “Last year was kind of [for me to] learn as much as I can, and I missed most of the offseason with my hip surgery last year,” Ricard said. “But now, having the same offensive coordinator [and] a lot of the same guys in the offense, I was able to really have just a big foundation from last season and kind of just grow from that and kind of just keep learning different things [and] keep refining things I’m good at.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens led the NFL with 60 sacks in 2023. Doing it again will be a challenge. Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Rashod Bateman and T.J. Tampa returning, Tavius Robinson’s potential and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 12, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection: Here’s where things stand after preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on adding WR Anthony Miller, the offensive line battle and more Still, some of those things trace back to his roots coming out of Maine, where he was a defensive end. Ricard said his favorite thing to do within the Ravens’ offense and his myriad tasks is to hit people. Specifically, anytime there’s a downhill run, he relishes the opportunity to block a defensive lineman then proceed to crack the linebacker on the next level of the defense. The player that gives him the most trouble in that regard is Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt. Ricard said the four-time All-Pro and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is technically sound, works the edges well and punishes mistakes. “You take one bad step against him, he’s gonna capitalize on it,” he said. The same could be said of Ricard, and he should get plenty of opportunities to clear the way playing alongside Jackson and now Henry, the Ravens’ best running back since Ray Rice. He also said he doesn’t care whether he gets 5,000 snaps or five snaps, and that the fullback isn’t going away. “You kind of are seeing a resurgence,” he said. “Once fullbacks started getting taken out of the game, teams started using tight ends, but they’re not as good of blockers as fullbacks. So fullbacks have to evolve with the offense.” That evolution doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. View the full article

Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman and rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa returned to practice on Monday, albeit in limited capacities. Both participated in one-on-one drills but did not take part in team sessions, including seven-on-seven or 11-on-11. Tampa, whom the Ravens drafted in the fourth round out of Iowa State, was a full participant in offseason workouts this spring but was placed on the physically unable to perform list and had missed all of training camp while recovering from sports hernia surgery. It’s still not clear what has been ailing Bateman, who left practice last Monday after a hard fall. “They always have sort of a ramp-up plan that we try to abide by and follow, and those guys are on that path, but it was good to see them back out there,” coach John Harbaugh said. Tampa was taken off the PUP list before Monday’s practice and might suit up for the final preseason game Aug. 24 against the Packers in Green Bay. “I would love to see, it’s just going to depend on his ability to do it with the recovery from bilateral sports hernia surgery,” Harbaugh said of Tampa. “I think he’s got a good shot; we just have to see how it comes along in the next week or so.” All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton was also on a practice field doing some light running and stretching after he suffered an apparent left leg injury late in Sunday’s practice. “He will be kind of ramping back up a little bit,” the coach said. “He’s good. It’s kind of a minor, I’d say, a sprain, and so he got out there and moved around a little bit today, and [he’ll] just kind of progress each day a little more [and] get going.” Who stood out? Fullback Patrick Ricard and tight end Qadir Ismail stood out during a one-on-one session going against outside linebackers on Monday. Ricard, at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, is a technician and attacks his opponent instead of waiting to be attacked. His form is excellent; he’s always square and with a nice, wide base. Once he locks on, it’s hard to get him off an opponent’s body. Ismail, the 6-6 and 232-pound undrafted rookie, is in the middle of transitioning from wide receiver to tight end and was used in both positions Monday. It was surprising to see how well he pass blocked considering his limited repetitions at a new position. Besides his form, Ismail showed some toughness. New look on offensive line The Ravens were working with a new starting combination on the offensive line. Veteran Patrick Mekari was starting at center for the injured Tyler Linderbaum (soft tissue injury) while rookie Roger Rosengarten worked with the first unit at right tackle. Fourth-year player Ben Cleveland, who started at center all last week, worked with the second unit. The first group turned in an average performance in a 16-13 preseason loss to the Eagles on Friday with Rosengarten getting most of his playing time in the second half. Because of experience, Mekari will probably start the season at right tackle once Linderbaum returns. Defensive line woes? The defensive line needs to improve after allowing the Eagles to run for 146 yards on 38 carries. A lot of attention was focused on the offensive line, but defensive tackles Broderick Washington and Travis Jones got pushed around. Yes, the Ravens were without end Justin Madubuike, middle linebacker Roquan Smith and several other front-line players, but first-year offensive coordinator Zach Orr couldn’t have been happy with the performance regardless. Speed kills Rookie running back Chris Collier, a free agent out of Lock Haven, took a toss around the right end and went untouched for about 20 more yards. Collier is listed at 5-11 and 210 pounds, but I haven’t seen that type of speed in a Ravens running back since Keaton Mitchell had a strong rookie season a year ago with 386 yards rushing on 47 carries with two rushing touchdowns. Mitchell, of course, is still sidelined as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in December. Searching for consistency Second-year outside linebacker Tavius Robinson had a strong showing Monday, and perhaps he can work his way into the rotation as a pass rusher. He has a great frame at 6-6 and 232 pounds but needs to be more consistent. If he can work into a rotation with fellow outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy, It would be a major plus for the Ravens in the regular season if Robinson can work in with fellow outside linebacker Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy as the pass rush is without Jadeveon Clowney’s 9 1/2 sacks from a year ago. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews had a highlight-reel one-handed catch during practice Monday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Making plays Tight end Mark Andrews had a great one-handed 30- to 40-yard reception from quarterback Lamar Jackson, but the best catch of the day belonged to newly signed receiver Anthony Miller, who simply snatched the ball away from cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis for a 37-yard catch late in practice. Andrews’s catch was in an unlikely situation because Jackson held the ball for nearly 10 seconds. That would never happen in a game and Jackson most likely would have run it. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens led the NFL with 60 sacks in 2023. Doing it again will be a challenge. Baltimore Ravens | How Ravens’ Patrick Ricard is helping lead ‘resurgence’ of NFL fullbacks Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 12, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection: Here’s where things stand after preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on adding WR Anthony Miller, the offensive line battle and more Miller just ran stride for stride with Armour-Davis down the left sideline before pulling the ball away at the last second. The Ravens made sound decisions in adding Miller and Russell Gage because Bateman is still unproven as a consistent playmaker. Cornerbacks update It’s interesting watching cornerback Damarion Williams play. He appears to recover and attack better going forward instead of being able to backpedal, turn and run. Williams, at 5-10 and 180 pounds, doesn’t have ideal size but he might be better as a safety, especially with the defensive backs being so interchangeable in the Ravens’ defense. Speaking of cornerbacks, it was not a good day for starter Brandon Stephens. He seemed a little slow and was caught out of position several times. View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson practices during Ravens training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, center, throws during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, and his back-up Josh Johnson take part in Ravens training at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens back-up quarterback Josh Johnson, right, hands off the ball to running-back Justice Hill during training at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens back-up quarterback Josh Johnson practices during training at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson practices hand-off with running-back Derrick Henry during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, right, speaks with coaches during Ravens training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard practices during training at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard, left, practices with tight ends during training at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard, center, practices with tight ends during training at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens back-up quarterback Devin Leary practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens back-up quarterback Emory Jones practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson practices during Ravens training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy, right, takes part in training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy takes part in training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens tight end Mark Andrews practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide -receiver Rashod Bateman walks onto the field for training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith starts practice during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Young fans welcome Ravens back-up quarterbacks Josh Johnson, from left, Emory Jones, and Devin Leary to practice during training at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy speaks with media after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with media after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith speaks with media after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

No longer are we talking about just practice. The Ravens played their first preseason game Friday night — falling to the Philadelphia Eagles, 16-13, in dramatic if not stupefying fashion — and thus provided the best look to date of position battles, rookies in action for the first time, and potentially key reserves. It was revealing on multiple fronts. “I did think the offensive line played well, from a run blocking standpoint and a pass blocking standpoint,” coach John Harbaugh said Sunday of a group that has three starting jobs up for grabs at both guard spots as well as right tackle. “There’s nobody in that group of guys that you’re talking about that didn’t look like they could play.” The passing attack, meanwhile, is still a “work in progress,” he said — something that is unsurprising and largely unimportant considering quarterback Lamar Jackson did not play nor did any of the regular starters. That will likely be the case for Baltimore’s remaining two preseason games against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday and the Green Bay Packers the following week, with a joint practice with the Packers also scheduled for next week that will at least presumably feature the starters. But until then, here’s the latest look at the Ravens’ latest projected 53-man roster with a little more than three weeks until the regular-season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Quarterbacks (2): Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson In defense of Johnson’s four completions on 12 passes for 62 yards against the Eagles, Harbaugh noted the performance was tough to evaluate because the Ravens’ receivers who did play are mostly “developmental players.” It’s a fair point, and the 38-year-old understandably struggled. Harbaugh added that in some cases receivers ran the wrong routes. “I thought he handled himself really well and made some really good throws,” he said. “[He] protected the football like you want him to do and got us in the right plays, made some decisions on which plays to get us into, which is part of our offense.” One thing was clear: Neither rookie sixth-round draft pick Devin Leary nor undrafted free agent Emory Jones is unseating Johnson as the backup. Ravens rookie running back Rasheen Ali, left, is battling for a roster spot. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Running backs (3): Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Owen Wright Neither second-year Owen Wright nor fifth-round rookie Rasheen Ali looked overly impressive against the Eagles, though both had their moments. The former outperformed the latter, rushing for 33 yards on seven carries while catching a pass for 17 yards. Harbaugh said he isn’t worried about the fumbling issues that plagued Ali at Marshall, even though he nearly coughed up a kick return with the ball squirting out as he hit the ground. Only one of them is making the roster, though, and with Henry and Hill expected to get nearly all the carries during the regular season, special teams will be the difference. Wright provides more versatility as someone who’s been in the offense for a year and thus could contribute more in the backfield. Wide receivers (6): Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Deonte Harty, Tylan Wallace The top three spots on the depth chart are set. The group gets thin beyond that in terms of potential impact, however, which perhaps explains the Ravens’ signings of three veteran receivers (Keith Kirkwood, Russell Gage and Anthony Miller) over the past six weeks. “Sometimes you’re playing the opportunities,” Harbaugh said. “So why not take a look at these guys, see what they can do and if they can make a push?” Walker played only 19 snaps on Friday because of a rib issue, Harbaugh said, while Harty, who is expected to be the team’s kick returner and has experience at receiver, didn’t play after not practicing earlier in the week because of a lower leg injury (he returned Sunday). Wallace played and easily outperformed the other young receivers, catching both targets for 26 yards, including one on a nice back-shoulder play. The group was also plagued by poor quarterback play, particularly when it came to Leary. Right now, it’s difficult to see any of the Ravens’ young receivers breaking through, and it’s possible that someone like Miller could edge out Walker for a roster spot. Tight ends/fullbacks (4): Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard Scotty Washington spent last season on the practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract in January, so he could be back in a similar role this year. Qadir Ismail, the son of former Ravens receiver Qadry Ismail, continues to make the occasional play in training camp. But you can put this group in magic marker, even if Likely ends up being a de facto wide receiver. Offensive line (10): Ronnie Stanley, Tyler Linderbaum, Roger Rosengarten, Andrew Vorhees, Daniel Faalele, Patrick Mekari, Josh Jones, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Ben Cleveland, Nick Samac What was once an intriguing group with openings at both guard spots and right tackle seems much less so a few weeks into camp and after the first preseason game. Friday night provided coaches a much better sense of the unit, more so than at any other position. The left guard spot seems all but sewn up with Vorhees firmly entrenched. At right guard, Harbaugh said he liked what he saw out of Faalele, noting that he thought he made a “jump” in the game. “He was really good with his feet, punched well, stayed square, stayed in front of people,” he said. “I’d say he passed the test.” Rosengarten, who shared right tackle duties with Mekari and got just 18 snaps against the Eagles, should see more against the Falcons. With the Ravens’ preference to continue to use Mekari as a swing tackle and fill in where necessary, Rosengarten will likely have every opportunity to win the job. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on adding WR Anthony Miller, the offensive line battle and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton limps off practice field but appears to avoid serious injury Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Nate Wiggins did not suffer a serious shoulder injury in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Chiefs WR Marquise Brown ‘will miss some time’ after dislocating clavicle in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 16-13 preseason loss to Philadelphia Eagles Defensive line (5): Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Broderick Washington, Travis Jones, Brent Urban Like the receivers, the Ravens’ young defensive linemen are largely developmental. None of them stood out against the Eagles, and the players mentioned above are talented, reliable and experienced. The most intriguing thing to keep an eye on here is whether Jones will usurp Washington and get more snaps this season. Jones has looked the part so far and seems poised to be the Ravens’ next interior defender to leap forward. Inside linebacker (4): Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Malik Harrison, Chris Board Harrison played 21 snaps against the Eagles, which was perhaps more than expected. That could’ve also been because Board was being checked for a concussion and did not return to the game. Again, there doesn’t appear to be a lot of drama among this group. Josh Ross has at best an outside chance at cracking the roster. The 55 snaps Ross got against the Eagles were largely out of necessity, though Pro Football Focus did grade him respectably with a 64.4 mark. Outside linebacker (5): Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac Even though Ojabo has been a full participant in practice, he wasn’t medically cleared to play against the Eagles as he continues to work his way back from last year’s torn ACL. Isaac took second-team reps in Sunday’s practice as he continues to ramp up from a hamstring injury suffered in rookie minicamp, though Harbaugh noted that he’d like the third-round pick to be able to do so quickly, so expect to see him on the field soon. Quincy Roche, meanwhile, remains mysteriously absent, while Joe Evans played 68 snaps against Philadelphia, again largely out of need. Cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams sacks Kenny Pickett during Friday night’s preseason opener against the Eagles. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Cornerback (7): Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, Arthur Maulet, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion “Pepe” Williams The Ravens got good news when they discovered Wiggins’ injury against the Eagles was not serious and thus he’ll likely be back in time for the season opener. Maulet’s knee injury, however, could keep him out for the first couple of games of the season, Harbaugh conceded Sunday. Tampa also remains out after undergoing double sports hernia surgery, though the team expects him to be back soon. Trayvon Mullen, meanwhile, is back from a shoulder injury and practiced Sunday and could be in the fold if injuries pile up. Safety (4): Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Ar’Darius Washington, Eddie Jackson The Ravens got a momentary scare when Hamilton suffered an apparent leg injury late in practice Sunday. Harbaugh said the injury does not appear to be serious and that the All-Pro will be fine. Rookie seventh-rounder Sanoussi Kane played 20 snaps and had two tackles and missed another against the Eagles and suffered a stinger in the game. But it’s an uphill battle for him to make the 53-man roster anyway, especially when the Ravens boast one of the league’s best safety duos in Hamilton and Williams, a veteran in Jackson and the versatile Washington. Special teams (3): Justin Tucker, Jordan Stout, Nick Moore Tucker connected on both his field goal attempts Friday, including a 47-yarder. Stout had a much busier night with six punts but handled it well, averaging 51.5 yards with a long of 64. Stout also made a tackle on one return after four teammates missed on their attempts. Both would be wise to avoid trying to make any tackles in the preseason, though. View the full article

For the second time in a week, the Ravens added a new face to the wide receiver room. Baltimore announced it signed veteran Anthony Miller before Sunday’s practice, where he was active in his first day with his new team. Miller, 29, hasn’t played since 2021. He suffered a season-ending injury in training camp before the 2022 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then bounced around several practice squads in 2023. The Kansas City Chiefs released him in May. The 2018 second-round draft pick caught 134 passes for 1,564 yards and 11 touchdowns over his first three seasons with the Chicago Bears. Miller brings another veteran presence to the position group after the Ravens also brought in Russell Gage last week. “He’s a talented guy,” John Harbaugh said of Miller. “Hasn’t broken through yet, but we’re impressed. Had a workout, looked very good, looks like he’s in great shape. Why not take a look at these guys and see what they can do?” The now-crowded unit will be cut down considerably before Baltimore travels to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in the NFL season opener next month. The Ravens broke the preseason with six receivers last season. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor are all but locks to make the initial 53-man roster, meaning 10 more are competing for likely three spots. Harbaugh not ready to name OL starters Andrew Vorhees, Roger Rosengarten and Daniel Faalele all saw considerable action in the Ravens’ 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason opener Friday night, with Vorhees starting at left guard, Rosengarten playing most of the second half at right tackle and Faalele manning right guard for much of the first half. Harbaugh said he was impressed by all three, who are in the running to take the open offensive line positions the Ravens entered camp with. The coach added that he thought Faalele “made a jump” Friday and that he expects Rosengarten to play more in Baltimore’s next preseason game Saturday afternoon against the visiting Atlanta Falcons. Still, Harbaugh isn’t ready to settle on a starting five. Linderbaum’s continued absence makes that more difficult, but the coach hopes to decide on starters soon. The trio of young linemen who seem to be in the lead passed their first test, according to Harbaugh. “I’m comfortable that they took the steps,” the coach said. “They’re not there yet, but we still got three weeks.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection: Here’s where things stand after preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton limps off practice field but appears to avoid serious injury Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Nate Wiggins did not suffer a serious shoulder injury in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Chiefs WR Marquise Brown ‘will miss some time’ after dislocating clavicle in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 16-13 preseason loss to Philadelphia Eagles Injury updates The Ravens were without several key players for Sunday’s practice, which was lighter than most have been since Baltimore transitioned to fully padded practices. Nate Wiggins, Bateman and Tyler Linderbaum were all out. Harbaugh said Wiggins’ shoulder injury isn’t serious after the rookie went down in the third quarter of Friday night’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he expects Bateman, who suffered an undisclosed injury last Monday at practice, to return soon. Linderbaum has been absent for more than a week while he deals with a soft tissue injury. Rookies Rasheen Ali and Sanoussi Kane were both sidelined with stingers suffered in Friday’s game. Chris Board, who left the loss with a concussion, and Quicky Roche also didn’t practice. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen returned Sunday after missing nearly two weeks of action. David Ojabo wasn’t cleared to play in Friday’s game but has continued practicing. Harbaugh said he believes Ojabo will eventually be cleared to play in preseason games. Rookie T.J. Tampa, who has missed all of training camp but has recently started working with trainers on a side field, is close to returning. Fourth-round draft pick Devontez Walker, who was targeted just once Friday night, is dealing with a rib issue that kept him from seeing more opportunities in the contest. Owen Wright continues to get work with the Ravens’ second team as he battles for the No. 3 running back spot. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Highlights • Isaiah Likely was the star of Sunday’s practice. He was Lamar Jackson’s favorite target in the seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 portions and made several leaping, one-handed grabs over the middle of the field that went for big gains or touchdowns. • Before he left early with an injury, Kyle Hamilton intercepted Jackson on one of the first plays of practice. Jackson attempted a no-look pass to Likely over the middle, but it sailed behind the tight end and into Hamilton’s hands. • With Ali out, Owen Wright was featured heavily with the second team Sunday. The second-year undrafted running back led the Ravens with 33 rushing yards on seven carries Friday night as he pushes for the third No. 3 spot behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. • Wide receivers Malik Cunningham and Sean Ryan were popular targets for backup quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Devin Leary. Both finished without a catch Friday but have spent most of their time with the second-team offense in camp as they jockey for one of the last available wide receiver roster spots. • Contact was light Sunday, but Henry displayed his quickness and broke a few outside runs for large gains despite would-be tacklers avoiding him. The veteran running back likely won’t play in the Ravens’ final two preseason games, and Harbaugh said the team is managing Henry’s workload in camp to keep the 30-year-old fresh for September and beyond. View the full article

The Ravens had a momentary scare when All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton went down and then limped off the field with an apparent left leg injury late in practice Sunday afternoon in Owings Mills. But coach John Harbaugh said Hamilton appears to be OK. “Looks stable, looks good,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll continue to do tests tonight and tomorrow to make sure, but first indications are he’s just fine.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 53-man roster projection: Here’s where things stand after preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on adding WR Anthony Miller, the offensive line battle and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Nate Wiggins did not suffer a serious shoulder injury in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Chiefs WR Marquise Brown ‘will miss some time’ after dislocating clavicle in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 16-13 preseason loss to Philadelphia Eagles With about 25 minutes left in the nearly 2 1/2-hour practice — Baltimore’s first since Friday night’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles — Hamilton was contesting a pass to tight end Riley Sharp when he lunged for the ball and crashed to the ground. There did not appear much if any contact on the play. Hamilton stayed down on the ground and was attended to by trainers before getting up and limping off under his own power. He then left the field and headed inside with two trainers. Hamilton did not dress in the Ravens’ loss to the Eagles and, along with most of the regular starters, is not expected to play much if at all in Baltimore’s two remaining preseason games. The 14th overall draft pick in 2022, he is coming off his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection and is perhaps the Ravens’ best defensive player. It’s also the second time he has suffered an injury scare after bumping knees with wide receiver Puka Nacua during Baltimore’s Week 14 game last season against the Los Angeles Rams. He returned the following week but injured the knee again in the Ravens’ Week 15 rout of the San Francisco 49ers and missed the next week’s game against the Miami Dolphins before returning in the playoffs. Last season, Hamilton had 81 tackles, three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 13 passes defended, four interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown in a Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns. View the full article

Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins did not suffer a serious shoulder injury in Friday’s preseason opener, coach John Harbaugh said on Sunday, a significant relief considering the elite coverage skills the cornerback flashed in his first dose of NFL action. Harbaugh joked that he recently suffered a similar injury, which he called an AC sprain, on a water slide and could have been ready for the preseason opener. “I don’t even know that his was that serious,” he said, though he did not offer a specific timeline for Wiggins’ return to practice or preseason play. The rookie did not participate in Sunday’s practice. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Chiefs WR Marquise Brown ‘will miss some time’ after dislocating clavicle in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 16-13 preseason loss to Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens offensive line is a clear work in progress. But for how long? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Ravens offense stumbles in 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins dazzles, then leaves preseason opener with shoulder injury The injury, which sent Wiggins to the locker room early in the third quarter with his right arm hanging at his side, cut short a brilliant debut performance in which the team’s first-round draft pick defended three passes, made a tackle for loss and earned the highest grade of any Raven from Pro Football Focus. Though Wiggins is not projected to start over incumbent cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey or Brandon Stephens, he made his case for substantial playing time by showcasing the outside coverage skills that many scouts rated the best in this year’s draft class. “I think they kind of went at him a bit, which was good to see,” Harbaugh said after the 16-13 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. “And heck yes, when you’re a corner — a corner of his caliber — he wants that, so I think he was excited about that. He came up and made that hit later, so he played a good game.” View the full article

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kansas City Chiefs receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was taken to a local hospital with a dislocated clavicle, a potentially significant setback for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. The former Ravens first-round draft pick, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract in March, landed awkwardly on his shoulder after an 11-yard reception on the opening play of a 26-13 preseason loss at Jacksonville on Saturday night. “I think he’ll miss some time,” coach Andy Reid said. “We’ll just see where he’s at. He’s kind of going through it right now and we’ll know more later on.” Reid said it was the same injury — a sternoclavicular joint dislocation — that sidelined former Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill for four games early in 2019. Coincidentally, Hill was injured on the same field in the regular-season opener that year. Kansas City opens the regular season Sept. 5 against the visiting Ravens. Brown’s injury was one of several issues for the Chiefs in their preseason opener. Jacksonville’s Parker Washington delivered the longest return under the NFL’s new kickoff rules — an ankle-breaking, 73-yarder that set up an early touchdown — and the Jaguars nearly scored three times on special teams. “We’ll get it cleaned up,” Reid said. Washington made at least five tacklers miss before finally going down at the Chiefs’ 30-yard line. Trevor Lawrence found running back Travis Etienne for a 9-yard score four plays later to give the Jaguars the two biggest highlights of the game. “He’s a spark,” Lawrence said of Washington. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and Kansas City’s other starters played a series before watching the rest from the sideline. Mahomes drove the Chiefs into field-goal range and might have done more had Rashee Rice not dropped a third-down pass over the middle. Washington, meanwhile, made the most of every opportunity. The second-year pro, a sixth-round draft pick in 2023 from Penn State, turned heads with the kickoff return and then added a 13-yard punt return. He later chipped in a 10-yard catch in which he slipped out of Keith Taylor’s grasp. The Jaguars have raved about Washington since training camp opened, and he showed up under the lights. He’s expected to be the team’s No. 4 receiver in a room that includes Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr. Washington gave the Chiefs plenty to work on moving forward. Covering kickoffs has to be an area of emphasis for them. After Jacksonville went ahead 18-10 on C.J. Beathard’s 44-yard TD pass to former Ravens speedster Devin Duvernay, Mecole Hardman tried to down a kickoff that bounced in and out of the end zone. Officials huddled, checked the replay and ruled it a safety. “I think that’s kind of the first time that’s ever happened,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said at halftime. “With the new kickoff rule, the ball is always live, even when it hits in the end zone.” Jacksonville’s Tank Bigsby looked like he was going to return the ensuing kickoff for a score — kicker Harrison Butker showed no interest in trying to tackle the 215-pound running back — but Bigsby tripped near midfield. Questionable call Officials overturned Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell’s 52-yard fumble return for a touchdown late in the third. Braswell stripped the ball from Nikko Remigio following a 29-yard reception in which he landed on the ground and got up to gain more yards. Officials ruled Braswell touched Remigio while he was still on the ground, but few in the stands and none on Jacksonville’s sideline agreed. Rookie watch Thomas, the 23rd overall pick in April from LSU, had the catch of the night for Jacksonville. Thomas hauled in a 41-yarder from Beathard in the first quarter despite having cornerback Joshua Williams draped all over him. Pederson thought Williams should have been flagged for pass interference. It was Thomas’ lone reception. Kansas City’s Xavier Worthy, selected five picks after Thomas, started but wasn’t even targeted in the game. Notable injuries The Jaguars held out eight players, including starting defensive backs Darnell Savage (shoulder) and Tyson Campbell (ankle). They also held out two starting offensive linemen: left guard Ezra Cleveland (heel) and right tackle Anton Harrison (concussion protocol). Second-year linebacker Ventrell Miller, who missed all of last season after tearing his right Achilles tendon, left the game briefly with a right shoulder injury but later returned. Chiefs guard McKade Mettauer limped off the field in the fourth with a left knee injury after getting caught in a pile. Rookie linebacker Curtis Jacobs also was shaken up late. View the full article

The Ravens kept quarterback Lamar Jackson, linebacker Roquan Smith and almost all of their key starters on the bench for their preseason opener, a 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Here are five things we learned from the game. We’ve been focused on right guard, but maybe the more interesting battle is at right tackle While starters at most positions sat, jobs were at stake on the offensive line — by far the greatest source of uncertainty on a largely settled roster. Andrew Vorhees, the favorite at left guard, opened with the first team, with Daniel Faalele at right guard and Ben Cleveland standing in for Tyler Linderbaum at center. Perhaps the most interesting competition unfolded at right tackle, where Patrick Mekari started but traded drives with rookie Roger Rosengarten. The Ravens might have sat Mekari if he was earmarked for the super-utility role he has filled in the past. The start suggests he could be the man to fill Morgan Moses’ shoes despite concerns that he might struggle with the wear and tear of a 17-game season. Or the Ravens could give Rosengarten, their second-round draft pick out of Washington, an immediate chance to swim. The rookie, known more for fluid movement than power, has struggled with bull rushes at times in camp. But he looked good in his first dose of action against the Eagles, keeping pass rushers locked up and sealing his man as quarterback Josh Johnson darted for 9 yards in the red zone. The Ravens could give Roger Rosengarten, their second-round draft pick out of Washington, an immediate chance to swim. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) If the Ravens had to win a playoff game next week, Mekari, with his long track record of solid play, would get the nod. But they need to find out if Rosengarten can be a long-term starter, and he just might be doing enough for his audition to begin sooner rather than later. “Absolutely,” Rosengarten said when asked if he feels on track to handle that responsibility. “Everything starts in practice. It starts in the board room and transfers to practice, and that’s where I build my confidence. Just going into these next preseason games, I’m excited for those and then going into Week 1.” Coach John Harbaugh kept his comments on the offensive line short and general pending careful study of the game tape. “The next time we have a press conference, I’ll have a little more to talk about,” he said. Nate Wiggins was every bit the coverage star advertised, which made his shoulder injury that much more worrisome The Ravens were delighted when the best pure cover cornerback in the 2024 draft fell to them at pick No. 30. For all the talent they’ve cycled through their secondary, they have not had a player with Wiggins’ skill set in many a year. The rookie wasted no time making an impression in his M&T Bank Stadium debut, essentially wiping out the Eagles’ first drive by himself. After Philadelphia moved into Ravens territory, Wiggins stepped in front of rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson to bat a pass to the ground on first down. Two plays later, he kept his body between Philadelphia receiver John Ross and the ball on Kenny Pickett’s downfield attempt. On fourth down, Wiggins blanketed yet another Eagle, Joseph Ngata, and again got his hand on the ball. Make that three passes defended on four plays, a rate that would put the rookie in the Pro Bowl. Wiggins isn’t going to produce at that clip, but he showcased the skill set that had the Ravens so excited in April, hanging step for step with wide receivers on the outside, attacking the ball and playing with the arrogance required at the sport’s ultimate mano-a-mano position. “That’s what he looked like at Clemson,” said linebacker Trenton Simpson, Wiggins’ college teammate. So hearts sank when Wiggins trudged to the locker room early in the third quarter, holding his right arm uncomfortably at his side. Any harm done in a preseason game feels like a waste. To see a sensational opening bow cut short is that much more of a drag. Harbaugh declined to offer an immediate update on the injury, saying tests Saturday will reveal more. With incumbent cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens having excellent camps, even a healthy Wiggins would not start the season opener in Kansas City, but expect to see him plenty whenever he’s ready. “They went at him a little bit,” Harbaugh said of Wiggins’ performance Friday. “Heck yeah, when you’re a corner of his caliber, he wants that. So he was excited about that, he came up and made a hit later, and he played a good game.” Trenton Simpson looked the part as he prepares for his big promotion We’ve spent the whole offseason talking about how big the Ravens bet on Simpson, who played just 46 defensive snaps as a rookie. They didn’t make a push to keep Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen and didn’t sign a veteran to compete with Simpson in camp. They have treated the 2023 third-round draft pick as Roquan Smith’s presumptive partner in every way. With Smith on the sideline Friday, Simpson got to be the man at the heart of the team’s defense. He wore the green dot as chief signal caller for the first time and did not shrink from the moment, stalking side to side on his way to a team-high nine tackles in the first half and 60 defensive snaps overall. “The more you see at this position, the more you learn,” Simpson said. “The faster you can play.” We’ve seen Simpson’s speed and ferocity in practice, but it’s always reassuring to see a camp star translate fully to a game setting, especially when the player in question is going from a negligible role to a primary one. “He wants to be great at everything he does,” Harbaugh said. “That’s a good start for him. He’s not going to be afraid.” David Ojabo’s waiting game continues No one needs a jolt of confidence more than Ojabo, the 2022 second-round pick who spent most of his rookie year rehabilitating a torn Achilles tendon and had his second season cut short by knee surgery. The gifted outside linebacker will have to wait at least another week after he sat out the preseason opener. Ojabo has been a full practice participant for most of camp, but Harbaugh said doctors did not clear him to face the Eagles. Even if Ojabo had never suffered the catastrophic injury that robbed him of a chance to be drafted in the first round, he would have been a developmental prospect. He started just one season at Michigan, and though he was excellent, scouts thought he would need time to translate his length and explosiveness into NFL sack production. Instead, Ojabo has waited and waited, with limited practice and game reps to hone his pass rushing arsenal. He’s a guy who could use a dominant preseason performance to vault him into the regular season, where the Ravens hope he’ll supplement an edge group that lost Jadeveon Clowney after last season. Rasheen Ali, a 2024 fifth-round draft pick out of Marshall with explosive burst and pass-catching skill, is a flashier candidate to make the 53-man roster. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Neither Owen Wright nor Rasheen Ali took a clear lead for No. 3 running back It’s not clear how many carries will be available behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, but someone will step into the role, at least until Keaton Mitchell is ready to electrify again. Wright, a 2023 undrafted free agent, started against the Eagles and ran with his usual blunt force, gaining 33 yards on seven carries. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens offensive line is a clear work in progress. But for how long? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Ravens offense stumbles in 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins dazzles, then leaves preseason opener with shoulder injury Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles in Preseason NFL game | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | What to know about new NFL rules: Ravens hope kickoff format is an ‘advantage’ As a 2024 fifth-round draft pick out of Marshall with explosive burst and pass-catching skill, Ali is a flashier candidate to make the 53-man roster. But he continued an uneven summer by almost fumbling a kickoff return against the Eagles (he was ruled down) and failing to punch in a potential touchdown in the fourth quarter. He averaged just 2.6 yards per carry compared to Wright’s 4.7. We’ve seen the Ravens move on from fifth-round picks before, so Ali’s draft status doesn’t guarantee him anything. It will be a question of what the Ravens want from their third running back. If it’s versatility and upside, that’s probably Ali. If it’s a guy to pick up tough yards when Henry or Hill needs a blow, that’s Wright, who’s also trying to make his case as a special teams contributor. The Ravens might figure Wright would be easier to stash on the practice squad, where he spent most of last season. One thing we know for sure is that this competition, still wide open, will continue over the next two preseason games as Henry and Hill wait to take the real stage. Preseason Week 2 Falcons at Ravens Saturday, Aug. 17, noon TV: NBC Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

Even with starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum, it’s hard to predict if the Ravens can build a solid offensive line this season. The Ravens opened the preseason Friday night losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, 16-13, at M&T Bank Stadium, and there was enough optimism to see development, but enough negativity that might cause problems as well. Let’s just say the outcome was a draw, or about as even as the Ravens finishing with 82 passing yards and 82 rushing yards against the Eagles. Overall, the group turned in a solid effort considering Stanley, the ninth-year player out of Notre Dame, was held out and Linderbaum couldn’t play because of a “soft tissue” injury. Offensive line play is about timing and rhythm, and after last season, the Ravens lost both starting guards, John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler, as well as starting right tackle Morgan Moses. Both coach John Harbaugh as well as offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris knew it was going to take some time to rebuild the front five, and it showed against Philadelphia. When the game mattered most in the first half, the pocket was fairly clean for backup Josh Johnson, who started in place of star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Johnson had ample time to throw, but the 38-year-old struggled either because of his own errant passes or his slow progression in processing coverages. The Ravens worked some of their combination blocks well, especially 6-foot-8, 380-pound guard Daniel Faalele and 6-6, 360-pound center Ben Cleveland. Second-year left guard Andrew Vorhees, who missed his rookie season because of a torn ACL, is eventually going to be a top player and has strong mechanics. But it was easy to tell that this group doesn’t have the timing down yet. For one, they missed Linderbaum because centers usually set the slide protection. There were times when the Ravens were late in identifying blitzes or were so involved that they couldn’t recover fast enough to slow the Eagles. Faalele has great size, but there are still questions about his conditioning as well as hand placement and pad level. Cleveland played well Friday night, which was somewhat surprising because he had only been the starter at the position for the previous five practices. Patrick Mekari is the most technically sound offensive lineman on the roster and he took most of the repetitions with the first unit at right tackle in the first half, but there are still questions about his mobility and recurring back problems. Those are the same concerns about Stanley, who has had several season-ending ankle surgeries in recent years. Rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten, the team’s second-round draft pick, barely played Friday night and is still an unknown. Right now, the offensive line is easy to read. Josh Jones, who started in place of Stanley, tilts to his left or leans back on his heels on passing plays. Faalale takes a big split from the center on obvious “draws” or leans forward heavily on running plays. If it’s noticeable by the media from the press area, opposing defensive coaches and coordinators will see it after watching tape. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 16-13 preseason loss to Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Ravens offense stumbles in 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins dazzles, then leaves preseason opener with shoulder injury Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles in Preseason NFL game | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | What to know about new NFL rules: Ravens hope kickoff format is an ‘advantage’ But remember, it was only one preseason game. The Ravens have two more before they open the season Sept. 5 against the defending Super Bowl champions in Kansas City. Will there be a dramatic difference by then? Probably not. It can take as many as four games to work out all the nuances of strong offensive line play. It didn’t help that both Linderbaum and Stanley were on the sideline, and the Ravens had some players out of position. Cleveland was a guard at the University of Georgia. Faalale played tackle at the University of Minnesota. It doesn’t sound like much of a difference, but it’s a new world. A year ago, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said his unit was a work in progress. A year later, the offensive line is in the same position. View the full article

After nearly three weeks of practices and the doldrums of long, hot afternoons of training camp, the Ravens got their first taste of competitive football against someone other than themselves Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium. Or, at least Baltimore’s reserves did. With quarterback Lamar Jackson and most of the team’s starters not playing, the Ravens’ offense struggled to find any sort of rhythm and lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 16-13, on a 49-yard field goal by Jake Elliott as time expired in the preseason opener for both teams. “Many good things and many things to work on,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “That’s the thing I told [the team] is the great thing about a first game is you have an opportunity to see exactly where you’re at. You get to see some good stuff and you get to see where you’re exposed and what you need to work on. Sometimes that’s hard to see in practice.” The result was, of course, inconsequential, though it gives Baltimore a three-game preseason losing streak after its NFL-record 24-game winning streak in exhibitions ended last year. More pertinent was how the players performed, from the offensive line — where there are three starting jobs up for grabs — to the secondary — where Nate Wiggins made an immediate impact while at times looking like the rookie he is. It also marked the debut for defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who in addition to being the second-youngest defensive coordinator in the league at age 32 made his his debut calling plays. The offense, meanwhile, unsurprisingly struggled without Jackson. Baltimore had just 164 yards (compared with the Eagles’ 259) and was an abysmal 2-for-12 on third down. But the numbers only told part of the story. Here’s a look at who stood out and who didn’t. Who stood out Nate Wiggins: It didn’t take long for the Ravens’ first-round pick to make an impression, breaking up three passes on the Eagles’ opening drive. That included one deep down the sideline intended for John Ross from former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett and another on fourth-and-8 intended for Joseph Ngata to end the drive. The former Clemson standout’s speed was obvious as he had little trouble keeping close in coverage, but he appeared to have a mix-up on a 7-yard touchdown catch by running back Will Shipley with 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Wiggins got sucked inside on the play, with Shipley slipping out of the backfield for an easy, wide-open grab. Afterward, the cornerback appeared to utter “crap.” Most concerning, however, is that Wiggins left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury after making a tackle. Harbaugh did not have an update on his condition and said he will undergo testing Saturday, but the coach was pleased with the rookie’s performance. “I thought they kind of went at him a little bit, which was good to see,” Harbaugh said. “When you’re a corner of his caliber, he wants that. … He played a good game.” Unfortunately, when he’ll be available for the next one is a major question mark, and it puts some stress on a secondary that is already without cornerbacks Arthur Maulet (knee), Trayvon Mullen (shoulder) and T.J. Tampa (sports hernia). Ravens running back Owen Wright finds an open hole for a first down against the Eagles during the Friday’s preseason opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Owen Wright: With neither Derrick Henry nor Justice Hill playing, the bulk of the carries fell to second-year back Owen Wright and fifth-round draft pick Rasheen Ali. Of the two, Wright, who got the start, clearly stood out, showing good speed and hole recognition while running hard. On the Ravens’ opening drive of the game, the 25-year-old undrafted free agent out of Monmouth who spent last season on the practice squad accounted for all 29 of Baltimore’s yards. That included a 12-yard burst up the middle on the Ravens’ first play from scrimmage and a short catch that went for 17 yards, eventually leading to a 46-yard field goal by Justin Tucker. Wright, a Bethesda native who starred at Georgetown Prep, finished with 33 yards on seven carries, along with the one catch. “I really just wanted to show that I was consistent, [that] I could make plays on special teams and on offense,” he said, adding that he has a much better understanding of the scheme and the offensive concepts now compared with a year ago when he was just trying to make roster. “Having that year under your belt is huge.” Patrick Mekari, Roger Rosengarten: With openings at right tackle as well as both guard spots, there is still a lot to be determined when it comes to who will land those starting jobs. Friday provided the best look yet at how that competition is shaping up. Baltimore opened the game with veteran Mekari at right tackle, Daniel Faalele at right guard, Ben Cleveland at center, Andrew Vorhees at right guard and veteran Josh Jones at left tackle. Starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, unsurprisingly did not dress. As for who did play, Mekari performed as expected and held his own. Rosengarten, the rookie second-round pick, showed good mobility and did not appear to get pushed around much at right tackle as he rotated regularly with Mekari, notably helping clear the way for a 9-yard run by quarterback Josh Johnson in the second quarter. “I lean on the vets a ton,” Rosengarten said. “I’m building off the confidence I already have and the guys already next to me.” Cleveland, meanwhile, said he was pleased with the group’s communication in what was his first extended action at center, which went off without a hitch. “Offensively we definitely have to get our run game going,” Cleveland said. “I think our pass protection was pretty solid most of the night. “I think the most challenging part was just being first game back of the year, just getting back into the grove of things and getting a feel for the speed of the game. But that’s very short-lived.” Jordan Stout: With a game that lacked much if anything in the way of offense, the Ravens’ third-year punter had a fairly busy night. And he handled it with aplomb. Stout had six punts and averaged 51.5 yards per kick, including a field-flipping 64-yarder in the third quarter. With the Ravens stalled on their own 16-yard line, Stout uncorked one to the Eagles’ 20 that was returned just 6 yards. Who didn’t stand out Daniel Faalele: The Ravens continue to give Faalele a look at guard, and it continues to look like an odd fit given his size (6 feet 8, 380 pounds). It didn’t play out all that well, either, for the third-year player. He still looks a bit slow on basic fundamentals, and he was flagged at one point for a false start, something that at times has been habitual for the group throughout training camp. Faalele started the second half as well and didn’t show much improvement. Ravens backup quarterback Josh Johnson completed just 4 of 12 passes for 62 yards with zero touchdowns in a listless first half of offense. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Josh Johnson, Devin Leary and Emory Jones: Johnson was long ago declared Baltimore’s No. 2 quarterback, but he didn’t show much command. The 38-year-old veteran completed just 4 of 12 passes for 62 yards with zero touchdowns in a listless first half of offense. His longest completion of the night was for 19 yards to wide receiver Tylan Wallace, with Wallace doing a nice job of snatching the back shoulder throw. Johnson finished with an abysmal 51.4 passer rating. “Timing and that sort of thing, that’s tough to evaluate,” Harbaugh said. “Guys aren’t all out there. It’s not always gonna look real great. I thought he handled himself well, made some good throws, protected the football and got us in the right place.” Leary, a sixth-round pick out of Kentucky, was even worse. He completed 6 of 10 passes for just 37 yards, though he did have a fourth-quarter sneak for a touchdown to tie the game. Harbaugh said that Leary also wasn’t on the same page at times and had receivers running the wrong routes a couple of times. Both quarterbacks were sacked once. Neither had a turnover, though Johnson should have been picked off by rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell on a poor throw late in the second quarter. But Jones, an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, made the biggest mistake of all on his only snap of the game. After Elliott missed a go-ahead 50-yard field goal attempt with 21 seconds left, Jones was immediately strip-sacked by Patrick Johnson, who also recovered the fumble at the Ravens’ 32-yard line. Given another chance, Elliott kicked the game-winning 49-yard field goal as time expired. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 16-13 preseason loss to Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens offensive line is a clear work in progress. But for how long? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins dazzles, then leaves preseason opener with shoulder injury Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles in Preseason NFL game | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | What to know about new NFL rules: Ravens hope kickoff format is an ‘advantage’ Rasheen Ali: The speedy fifth-round rookie out of Marshall got the start in the second half, but his biggest play came on a second-quarter kickoff that he returned 31 yards up the middle, showing good burst on the league’s new “dynamic” kickoff format. Ali nearly coughed up the ball on the play — something that was a problem for him in college — but he was ruled down before it escaped his grasp. He finished with 26 yards on 10 carries, with his longest run just 5 yards. Trenton Simpson: With Patrick Queen now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Simpson steps in to take over alongside All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith (who was also not in uniform). On paper, Simpson looked terrific, leading Baltimore with 11 tackles. On grass, however, the 2023 third-round pick rarely stood out and at times was shoved around. That’s hardly a surprise — Queen also struggled early in his career, and most of the Ravens’ starters on defense, save for defensive tackle Travis Jones, did not play. Curiously, outside linebacker David Ojabo, who has essentially missed the past two seasons because of injuries but has been a participant during training camp, was not cleared to play by doctors, Harbaugh said. As for Simpson, who wore the green dot as the defensive signal caller, he didn’t play poorly but rather was simply unremarkable. Afterward, Harbaugh noted that Simpson was “flying around” but would be the first one to say that he wasn’t happy with his play. Sitting nearby during the postgame interview, the linebacker agreed. Simpson said he wasn’t pleased with some of his run fits and needed to be more aggressive shooting the gaps. “As a young linebacker, getting as many reps as I can is a blessing,” he said. “The more you see at this position the more you learn, the faster you can play. “The more I see, the more the game slows down.” Preseason Week 2 Falcons at Ravens Saturday, Aug. 17, noon TV: NBC Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was the early star of the Ravens’ preseason opener Friday night. His night ended in concern. The first-round draft pick exited Baltimore’s 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Wiggins, the No. 30 overall selection in April, started the preseason opener and excelled in his first test. He defended three passes during the defense’s first possession, including a breakup on an underthrown deep ball on third down and a drive-ending swat on a fourth-down pass from Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett. After the first stop, Wiggins joyfully ran to the end zone. The latter play ended with Wiggins wagging his finger as the defense jogged to the sideline, both moments capturing the swagger and confidence the 20-year-old cornerback plays with and what Baltimore hopes to see more of. Coach John Harbaugh had no update on Wiggins’ injury after the game. “I thought they kinda went at him a little bit,” Harbaugh said. “When you’re a corner of his caliber, you want that.” Wiggins played the entire first half and returned to start the second. To cap the defense’s first drive out of halftime, he swarmed a pass to the flat and dove at Philadelphia running back Lew Nichols’ feet to make the tackle for loss. Wiggins leaped up in celebration but left the field and entered the medical tent favoring his right arm. He departed for the locker room shortly after, was listed as questionable to return and never came back. The defensive back group has been depleted even more recently. Fourth-round pick T.J Tampa (sports hernia surgery) is on the physically unable to perform list and has been sidelined throughout training camp. Three-time Pro Bowl selection Marlon Humphrey and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton have missed time this summer with various ailments, although both have returned since the start of training camp. Trayvon Mullen has been sidelined for about a week with a shoulder injury. Arthur Maulet will miss time after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 16-13 preseason loss to Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens offensive line is a clear work in progress. But for how long? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Ravens offense stumbles in 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles in Preseason NFL game | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | What to know about new NFL rules: Ravens hope kickoff format is an ‘advantage’ Safety Sanoussi Kane, the team’s seventh-round pick, suffered a stinger delivering a crushing hit to an Eagles receiver in the third quarter and didn’t return Friday night. Kane, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play, remained on the field for a few moments before walking off under his own power alongside team trainers. Ravens linebacker Chris Board also exited in the first half to be evaluated for a concussion and was later ruled out. Harbaugh didn’t provide an update on the status of Board or Kane. Wiggins was likely to be in line for a rotational role to start his rookie season, but he might be thrust into a larger one after the injury to Maulet, who was the likely starting slot cornerback. His absence might push Humphrey to that spot, opening up a perimeter role for Wiggins depending on the severity of his shoulder. That position is where the first-round pick started Friday and flashed in his first chance — and where he showed why his slender 6-foot-1, 182-pound frame could translate to a heightened risk of injury. “Nate played great,” said Wiggins’ former Clemson teammate and Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson. “Just to see him fly around, I was so happy to see him with pass breakups, make some tackles. … He’s gonna be a special guy for us this year.” View the full article

The Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker makes a field goal during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff) The Baltimore Ravens #16, Tylan Wallace tackles Eagles #14 Kenneth Gainwell from below as #25 Ka’dar Hollman assists on first kickoff return of a preseason game. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff) Baltimore Ravens’ Rasheen Ali leaps free of Philadelphia Eagles’ Patrick Johnson on a kickoff return during the first NFL preseason game of the 2024-’25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens #2 Nate Wiggins breaks up a pass intended for Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson in first quarter of the preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff) Ravens #98 Travis Jones rushes Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett in first quarter of the preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff) The Ravens mascots, Edgar, Allan and Poe lead the team for player introductions during the first NFL preseason game of the 2024-’25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Owen Wright runs down the field before a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh looks around the stadium before a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff) Baltimore Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome is on the field before a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff) Baltimore Ravens players participate on the field before a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a football during pregame of preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens offensive Todd Monken looks on before preseason game against the Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr is on the field before preseason game against the Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, jokes around with Randy Brown, senior special team coach before preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

Attorney by day and NFL referee the rest of the time, Clete Blakeman has seen a lot over his 17 years patrolling football fields across the country. None of it compares with the league’s new kickoff format. “This is the biggest rule change that I’ve experienced,” he said earlier this week at the Ravens’ facility in Owings Mills. “It’s a really unique play.” Indeed. The new kickoff rule, which is based on what the XFL uses and was among a handful of rules changes this offseason, will look much different when Baltimore opens its preseason Friday night against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium. In the words of Ravens coach John Harbaugh after watching last week’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears: “The one thing that did jump out at me was it’s confusing for the fans.” With that in mind, here’s a look at why the league altered the kickoff rule, an explanation of it and what else to know. Why did the NFL change its kickoff rule? In short, the new rule, which will be in place for one season (and still could be tweaked during the preseason) before it is reviewed and voted on again, was designed to sharply increase the number of returns per game after a steady decline, including a record-low mark of 21.8% in 2023. By aligning players closer together and limiting when they can move, the league believes it will not only increase the return rate but decrease the number of injuries from high-speed collisions. How will it look? The ball will still be kicked from the 35-yard line, but with 10 players from the kicking team lined up at the opposing team’s 40, with five players on each side of the field. The receiving team, meanwhile, will have at least nine players lined up in the “set up zone” between its own 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of them touching the 35. There will be up to two returners allowed inside the 20. What happens once the ball is kicked? Only the kicker and the returners are allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20. If the ball reaches the end zone in the air, it can be returned or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and get the ball at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone will also result in a touchback at the 30. Should the ball hit a returner or the ground and then go into the end zone, it can be returned or taken as a touchback, with the ball being placed at the 20. If a kick goes out of bounds before the end zone, or hits the ground or is touched by the receiving team before reaching the landing zone, however, the play is blown dead and the ball will be placed at the receiving team’s 40. The same is true if the ball does not reach the landing zone. Is anything about kickoffs the same? The ball is still kicked from the 35-yard line. Kicks following a safety will still be from the 20-yard line, though the new alignment and rules still apply. What about onside kicks? Onside kicks can now only take place in the fourth quarter and be done by the team that is trailing. That team must also inform officials, and players would then be instructed to line up in a traditional formation. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was injured last season by a hip-drop tackle, which is now banned by the NFL. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Other rules changes The kickoff format isn’t the only new rule. Among other changes, the league also banned hip-drop tackles, which is when a defender unweights himself and drops onto the ball carrier’s legs during the tackle. Blakeman confirmed that it was a hip-drop tackle used by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson on Ravens tight end Mark Andrews in Week 11. Andrews injured his ankle on the play and missed the remainder of the regular season as well as a divisional round playoff game. Other high-profile players have been injured on similar plays in recent years; now players will be hit with a 15-yard penalty. Even if a player isn’t penalized, he could still be fined by the league. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | ‘It’s just the beginning’: Qadir Ismail, son of Ravens Super Bowl champion, forging his own NFL path Baltimore Ravens | 10 Ravens with most at stake in preseason opener against Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ‘professor’ Nelson Agholor provides valuable veteran presence in receiver room Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Arthur Maulet’s injury update, Ben Cleveland at center and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 7, 2024 | PHOTOS The longtime referee also conceded it could be be a difficult penalty to call. “If I’m not sure, I’m not pulling the flag,” Blakeman said. “That’s clear from [the league office in] New York. … They don’t want reigning down a bunch of flags.” But there is no bigger change than the rules around the new kickoff, which includes a 5-yard penalty if a player moves too soon. How does Harbaugh, a longtime special teams coach of the Eagles before being hired by Baltimore in 2008, think the new kickoff rules will play out? He believes Baltimore will have an advantage over many other teams, given his background, but he’s also as curious as anyone. “I’m hopeful that we come out here, and we act and look like we know what we’re doing,” he said. “We hope we coach it the right way, and we hope it’s an advantage for us the first part of the season. “The first preseason game, all of the fans, we’re all going to be closely to see what it looks like.” View the full article

When the Ravens host the Philadelphia Eagles to open the preseason Friday night, longtime fans will see a familiar name when Qadir Ismail takes the field. Ismail is the son of former NFL wide receiver Qadry Ismail, who led the Ravens with 68 catches, 1,105 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 1999 before helping the team win Super Bowl 35 a season later. As he prepares to suit up for the Ravens decades after his father, Qadir revels in the opportunity to suit up for his hometown team, aiming to make a name for himself as he starts a career of his own. “He’s here because he’s worked for it,” said Qadry Ismail, who played 10 years in the NFL with five teams and spent several years as the Ravens’ radio color commentator. “I’m most proud of the journey, and the work he’s put in to get here, for him to be at this moment, he’s put himself in a good position.” Regardless of his NFL pedigree, Ismail has hit the ground running, impressing many during his short time in Baltimore. “Qadir is doing a great job, really at everything he’s been asked to do,” coach John Harbaugh said July 31. “He doesn’t back down from any challenge.” Ismail grew up in Bel Air and started as a quarterback at John Carroll before committing to Villanova, taking with him the wise words and firsthand knowledge of the game passed down from his father. “He’s always taught me to finish,” he said. “Finish every catch, finish every rep and finish every play. In my mind, every time I touch the ball, it’s going for a touchdown.” Ismail transferred to Samford, where he played two seasons at wide receiver. He was not drafted, but the Ravens invited him to rookie minicamp with something new in mind. They wanted him to play tight end. “When it comes to the art of playing football, you can go fast alone or far as a team,” Qadry Ismail said. “He’s embraced that understanding of wanting to go far and making the necessary sacrifices to help the team.” “Being with this great organization, wearing the purple and black, this is the dream now,” Qadir Ismail said. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) After a good showing at rookie minicamp, Ismail was added to the 90-man roster and invited to training camp. He’s made a mark. “He’s a big body, he can run, he can catch [and] he’s learning the position,” tight ends coach George Godsey said July 27. “He’s played quarterback, [so] he knows what the quarterback is looking at. He’s young, he’s learning, he’s eager and he has a big capacity to learn, so [I’m] excited about him.” “It’s been a pretty seamless transition for him,” fullback Patrick Ricard, who has also played multiple positions throughout his career, said Tuesday. “He’s still learning, but he’s been very active in meetings, he’s always trying to get better.” With Qadry Ismail watching from the sidelines this summer, he might not be directly coaching his son like he did when he was a Bel Air Terp, but he still lends his expertise when he can. “I’m here to be whatever he needs,” Qadry Ismail said. “Whether it’s encouragement or walking things through with him to get an idea of what he and I both saw out there, I’m doing whatever it takes to help him get better every day.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | What to know about new NFL rules: Ravens hope kickoff format is an ‘advantage’ Baltimore Ravens | 10 Ravens with most at stake in preseason opener against Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ‘professor’ Nelson Agholor provides valuable veteran presence in receiver room Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Arthur Maulet’s injury update, Ben Cleveland at center and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 7, 2024 | PHOTOS Qadry Ismail jokes that training camp is a lot more tame now than it was in 1993 when he had to grind through full-contact practices twice a day. But one thing that hasn’t changed, he said, is the job at hand for players in Qadir’s shoes. “It is the No. 1 priority for him to show that he belongs,” Qadry Ismail said. With a preseason full of game reps and opportunities fast approaching, Ismail is eager not just for his professional debut with his father’s old team, but also for the chance to go out and make a name for himself as he looks to start his path to a long career of his own. “Being with this great organization, wearing the purple and black, this is the dream now,” he said. “This is the reward for all the hard work, but at the same time, it’s just the beginning.” View the full article

Lamar Jackson won’t play in the Ravens’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium. The two-time and reigning MFL Most Valuable Player hasn’t taken a snap in the preseason since 2021, and that trend will likely continue this summer. And while the same is expected for most of Baltimore’s regular starters, there are several players with plenty to play for. Though there are not a lot of starting jobs up for grabs — even the competition for the three offensive line openings seems to have been winnowed down through the first two-plus weeks of training camp — there are key reserve roles to be determined. Practice only tells the coaching staff so much, so the Ravens’ three preseason games figure to go a long way in determining those spots. Here is a look at the 10 players with the most at stake this week: Quarterbacks Devin Leary and Emory Jones With coach John Harbaugh having already declared Josh Johnson as the No. 2 quarterback behind Jackson, and the likelihood that the Ravens keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster because of a new rule that gives teams unlimited elevations from the practice squad, Leary and Jones are, at best, competing for a spot on said squad. So far, neither has looked sharp. Leary, a rookie sixth-round draft pick who had a proclivity for turning the ball over at Kentucky, has continued to demonstrate that trait during training camp. Jones, an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, has thrown his share of interceptions as well. While Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has been mum on which players will and won’t play, Philadelphia’s secondary isn’t nearly as dangerous as Baltimore’s, though the addition of rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell should help. Expect Leary and Jones to each get significant playing time. Running backs Rasheen Ali and Owen Wright As with quarterback, the top two spots on the depth chart at running back are set with four-time Pro Bowl selection Derrick Henry and veteran Justice Hill. With Keaton Mitchell not expected to return until some point during the season after suffering a torn ACL last December, however, the No. 3 role will go to either Ali, a rookie fifth-round pick out of Marshall, or Wright, an undrafted free agent from Monmouth who is in his second year after spending last season on the practice squad. Both have good speed, but Wright has understandably looked the more complete and competent player having been in the system for a year. “Owen has grown so much from last year, coming in as an undrafted free agent,” running backs coach Willie Taggart said. “From that time to the last preseason when he played against the Bucs, that’s when he showed everyone that he can play at this level. … What we’re seeing right now is a young man that is playing with confidence.” Wright had 89 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in that preseason finale against Tampa Bay last year and figures to play special teams as well. But Ali will get an opportunity in the preseason to show what he can do as well, especially with Henry and Hill unlikely to play much if at all this summer. Former quarterback Malik Cunningham has transitioned to his new role fairly seamlessly. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Wide receiver Malik Cunningham The former quarterback has transitioned to his new role fairly seamlessly. He’s a capable route runner, has the benefit of understanding the offense from the passer’s perspective and has some chemistry with Jackson, his former Louisville teammate. Still, he’s had some concerning drops and will need to perform much better in camp and especially in the preseason to land on the 53-man roster. There’s also a good deal of competition when it comes to the back end of the receiver group. With the top five and possibly six spots largely accounted for between Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Deonte Harty, Tylan Wallace and rookie Devontez Walker, he’s likely battling a few others (Russell Gage, Sean Ryan, Keith Kirkwood, Dayton Wade) for a possible practice squad spot. Offensive linemen Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Josh Jones Last summer, Aumavae-Laulu was given first-team reps at left guard the first two weeks of training camp, then never played a snap during the regular season after John Simpson easily beat him out for the job. With Simpson having moved on in free agency, opportunity presented itself again. But through the first two-plus weeks of this year’s camp, the second-year player has done little to distinguish himself among the competition for two open guard spots, with Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele working almost exclusively with the starters thus far. Similarly, Jones, who arrived via free agency earlier this year and whose resume includes having played every position on the line but center, has seemed like an afterthought. Ben Cleveland’s move to center while Tyler Linderbuam recovers from an injury should present more chances to show what they can do, and it’ll start in earnest against the Eagles. “I think we’ll get a lot of questions answered in this game in terms of where everybody’s at at this time,” Harbaugh said. Defensive end CJ Ravenell Preseason is when players like Ravenell, an undrafted free agent out of Division II Missouri Western who’s a longshot to make the team, can grab the coaches’ attention. A four-time All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association selection, the 6-foot-5, 292-pound Ravenell had 14 1/2 career sacks for the Griffons, including three last season. He also had 45 tackles in 2023, 11 of which were for a loss. With the Ravens boasting a talented and experienced front of Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington and Brent Urban, the 24-year-old Ravenell is playing for nothing more than a spot on the practice squad, and the preseason is when he’ll get the opportunity to show what he has. 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But with Smith unlikely to play and Simpson probably getting in sparingly, Ross will get his share of snaps. Through his first two years, the Michigan product has appeared in just five games for the Ravens and only on special teams. Outside linebacker David Ojabo Normally, an established starter wouldn’t play much if at all in the preseason. But with Ojabo essentially missing his first two years in the NFL because of injuries after being a second-round pick, he needs at least some reps. Plus, with Odafe Oweh and veteran Kyle Van Noy not likely to play against the Eagles, Malik Hamm on injured reserve, Adisa Isaac just returning from injury and Quincy Roche absent from the past three practices, the Ravens are quite thin at outside linebacker. That means the reps will fall to Ojabo, Tavius Robinson, Joe Evans and probably a good bit to Harrison. Given how little Ojabo has been on the field, it will be important for his progress, at least to an extent, to compete in a game. Preseason opener Eagles at Ravens Friday, 7:30 p.m. TV: ABC Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

Entering his 10th season, Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor has seen it all. A first-round pick in 2015 by the Philadelphia Eagles, he has experienced the ups and downs that come with a long career in the NFL. “You always have a certain expectation coming in, but it pans out in different ways,” said Agholor, who won Super Bowl 52 with the Eagles and later signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots. “To be in this league going on 10 years, being able to play in the big game and even play in the AFC championship last year, I’m blessed.” Agholor has transformed from a rookie first-round sensation to a sought-after free agent and everything in between. Now in his second year with Baltimore, the 30-year-old has once again embraced the role as the “old guy” in the wide receiver room. As the most tenured pass catcher on the roster, he embraces the opportunity to lead his younger teammates on and off the field as they work toward reaching the franchise’s first Super Bowl since the 2012 season. “Being able to share my experiences from my career and also learn from the younger guys at the same time, it’s a beautiful thing,” Agholor said. As the team papers for training camp’s toughest stretch and the preseason, some of his most potent messages to the young group center around the importance of preparation and taking care of your body. “The most important thing you have to do is practice,” Agholor said. “Watch the film and be self confident, but also be self critical and grow. The best ability is availability, so take care of your body so you can practice and get better.” Early in camp, Agholor’s impact on the young guys has bled into the offensive meeting rooms. “His nickname is ‘The professor’ [in the meeting room],” wide receiver Tylan Wallace said. “He details all the routes and maps it out. Just listening to him, you can immediately tell he knows a ton of football.” “The best ability is availability, so take care of your body so you can practice and get better,” Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor said of the advice he gives to younger teammates. (Amy Davis/Staff) “He’s engaged,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “If he doesn’t understand, he asks. If he has a better way of doing it, he talks about it. That, to me, is the number one part of leadership, or being an older player, is seeing the big picture and then relaying that to the rest of the players.” Agholor brings a unique perspective to the Ravens’ receiver room in large part because he has been in the position many of his young teammates on the roster find themselves in. The Super Bowl champion has been in the shoes of fourth-round pick Devontez Walker, a young rookie with high expectations and bountiful potential trying to make a name for himself in the league. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Arthur Maulet’s injury update, Ben Cleveland at center and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 7, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens WR Jacoby Jones died of heart disease, coroner rules Baltimore Ravens | Trenton Simpson played sparingly as a rookie. The Ravens are betting he’s ready for much more. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 6, 2024 | PHOTOS He’s been Zay Flowers, a first-round pick who has shown promise early, proving himself worthy of being a major part of the franchise for years to come and ready to take the next steps toward being elite. He has also been Rashod Bateman, a top draft pick who has dealt with the struggles of the NFL, fighting through some tough moments and excessive criticism from fans. “He’s the definition of a true professional, that’s why he’s been around for so long,” Wallace said of Agholor. “Watching the way he carries himself on and off the field has helped me out so much as a player.” Good or bad, Agholor has taken it all in stride throughout his career. When a fan in Philadelphia went viral for a quick jab at the receiver for some critical dropped passes during a television interview after a 2019 house fire, Agholor responded with class, calling the fan a “hero” and inviting him and his family to an Eagles game to thank him for his life-saving efforts. Some of Agholor’s messages to his teammates have included handling and understanding criticism and taking it in stride while going through rough patches. “Everybody gets criticized,” Agholor said. “As a player, you have the right to just get better and to put your best foot forward for your individual career, for your teammates and for your family. The criticism will always be there, it’s not personal, it’s just part of the game.” Agholor’s reliable veteran presence has been shown on the field as well. He was the only Ravens wideout to appear in all 17 regular-season games last season and caught more than 75% of his targets, the highest rate of any wide receiver on the team. “I’ve done everything, been in every position and seen it all,” Agholor said. “My job is to come in, play football and do whatever’s asked of me.” Ultimately for Agholor, the goal is to add another Super Bowl championship to his resume and share that feeling with his Ravens teammates. With a talented young group, he embraces the opportunity to lead. “He comes in every day and is ready to work,” Wallace said. “Just being able to pick up on the little things he does, coming in early, catching extra balls after practice, it sets the tone for the group.” Preseason opener Eagles at Ravens Friday, 7:30 p.m. TV: ABC Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

The Ravens will be without a dependable cornerback for the foreseeable future. After Arthur Maulet expectedly missed his second consecutive practice, coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that the 31-year-old will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Harbaugh called it a “cleanup type of situation” that won’t end his season. They’ll reevaluate as the regular season creeps closer. Maulet played in 14 games in 2023, starting three in his first year in Baltimore. He tied or set career highs in sacks (2), tackles for loss (5), quarterback hits (3), interceptions (1), passes defended (5) and fumble recoveries (2). Maulet has been one of the top performers in training camp thus far, but NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that the injury could possibly keep him out until October. Wednesday marked the final half-contact practice before the Ravens strap on full pads for their preseason opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is not expected to play after resting during the preseason the past two years; Harbaugh said “that will be the same.” Veteran backup Josh Johnson, 38, is likely to start in his place. Wolfe reported that running back Derrick Henry also won’t play until the regular season opener in Kansas City next month. “We haven’t really done any preparation for the Eagles but we’ll go out and run our plays and see how the guys do,” Harbaugh said. Cleveland at center Ben Cleveland played a little bit of center in high school. He was strictly a right guard during his four years at Georgia. But the Ravens started giving him spot reps at center last year and again through organized team activities this summer as part of an effort to make him more versatile along the offensive line. Earlier this week, Cleveland was moved primarily to center on the heels of starter Tyler Linderbaum missing for a fourth straight practice because of a “soft tissue” problem, according to Harbaugh. “Ben has done such a good job at center, and now we have Tyler out for a while,” Harbaugh said, “I think you’re going to see him at center for the next two weeks.” Cleveland said he’s been leaning on the Pro Bowl selection Linderbaum during his positional change. “It’s been nice playing beside him and all that in the past. … We keep the same terminology and everything like that; it’s just a matter of the perspective in which you see the defensive fronts and things like that [are] different,” Cleveland said. “Every day after practice, he’s in there watching film, [and] we’re going over how I can step better, do this better and whatnot, so it’s been nice having somebody who’s, obviously, as good as he is at that position to help me better myself.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson completed an estimated 14 of 19 passes in 11-on-11 plays on Wednesday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Jackson didn’t compound mistakes It’s hard to read too much into anything Jackson does in camp. For a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player with a trip to the conference championship on his resume, he doesn’t have much to prove in August. But since missing the opening days of practice because of an illness, he’s been his usual steady self in Owings Mills. Wednesday was more of the same, as he completed an estimated 14 of 19 passes in 11-on-11 action with five touchdown passes. More importantly, each Jackson gaffe — his fault or not — was followed with a dart, touchdown pass or highlight-caliber play. There was the overthrow to Malik Cunningham on a long ball down the left sideline. The quarterback-turned-wideout beat his defender off the line of scrimmage but couldn’t catch up to the ball’s descent on a diving attempt. Jackson followed that up by finding tight end Isaiah Likely in space for a 15-yard gain. Then, with an overloaded right side, he rolled out to his left for a 40-plus-yard touchdown run and excitedly fired the ball against the signage behind the end zone. During red zone reps, Jackson threw a pass too high for Likely, who was double-covered. But his next pass found receiver Keith Kirkwood for a touchdown in the front of the end zone. Oweh flashes Odafe Oweh spent Wednesday afternoon’s practice taking lunch money from an offensive line still finding its bearings. While the fourth-year pass rusher can’t touch the quarterback, there were more than a few plays in which he maneuvered his way into the backfield at an arm’s length from the signal-caller. Oweh recorded five sacks and 23 total tackles in 13 games last year. Teammates and coaches have noticed an uptick in his production through camp after having spent a week training in Atlanta this offseason. As for the offensive line he’s bull-rushing, that competition could start to settle itself as preseason games get underway. Harbaugh has been noncommittal on the matter of solidifying a group but said, “We’ll see all of the guys we need to, and it will be quite a few guys.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 7, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens WR Jacoby Jones died of heart disease, coroner rules Baltimore Ravens | Trenton Simpson played sparingly as a rookie. The Ravens are betting he’s ready for much more. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 6, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Russell Gage signing, offensive line rookies and more | COMMENTARY Williams’ impressive interception Third-string rookie quarterback Devin Leary tried to find Cunningham streaking across the back of the end zone from right to left. Leary’s throw was on target, but Damarion “Pepe” Williams undercut the route, pulling the ball right down from under Cunningham’s hands for an interception. Seesaw day for Kirkwood Kirkwood was signed in late June to add a veteran presence to the positional group. He’s not expected to be in the mix among the offense’s primary weapons, but with a pecking-order competition at play and Rashod Bateman still absent from an injury he suffered earlier this week, Kirkwood is getting plenty chances in his fight to make the roster. We saw the good and the ugly of that effort on Wednesday. He had a touchdown catch on a short route. Later, Jackson let one fly that Kirkwood hauled in as he toppled out of bounds inside the 2-yard line. Sandwiched between those plays were a pair of would-be-touchdown passes that both clanked off Kirkwood’s hands. View the full article

DUPLICATE***Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Russell Gage catches a pass during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Sean Ryan stands during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens fans cheer for wide receiver Sean Ryan during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Megan Rosburg, Baltimore Ravens assistant coach during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Malik Cunningham drops a pass during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Emory Jones passes during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Owen Wright turns toward quarterback Josh Johnson during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali takes off from the line of scrimmage during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs out for a pass during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson passes while Josh Johnson, left and Emory Jones watch during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Marianna Salas, Baltimore Ravens coaching fellow during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens fans cheer for wide receiver Sean Ryan during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry catches a pass while Justice Hill watches during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor salutes fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a deep pass during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor talks with fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Malik Cunningham laughs while engaging fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Marianna Salas, Baltimore Ravens coaching fellow reads schemes as Megan Rosburg, assistant coach watches the defensive line during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland, left shares his pair of oversized camo Crocs with tackle Roger Rosengarten who pauses before speaking to the press during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Wearing a pair of oversized camo Crocs shared by Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland, tackle Roger Rosengarten speaks to the press during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks to the media during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Youngsters reach memorabilia to Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Youngsters reach memorabilia to Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Russell Gage autographs for young fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Russell Gage autographs for fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

Former Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones died last month from heart disease, a Louisiana coroner ruled. A spokesperson for the New Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office said Wednesday that a July 15 autopsy found Jones’ manner of death to be from natural causes. His specific cause of death was listed as hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which refers to heart problems stemming from long-term high blood pressure. Jones, a wide receiver and All-Pro kick returner for the Ravens from 2012 to 2014 who starred in the team’s Super Bowl 47 victory, died “peacefully at his home” on July 14, according to his family in a statement through the NFL Players Association. He had just turned 40. “We are completely heartbroken to learn about the passing of Jacoby Jones,” the Ravens said in a statement at the time of his death. “Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered. His charisma, joy and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten any dark day. “Jacoby will long be remembered not just for his success on the football field, but for the lasting personal connections he made with countless people in the Ravens organization, Baltimore community and every area he called home.” Jones’ biggest moment for the Ravens came on the game’s biggest stage in the Super Bowl in his hometown of New Orleans against the San Francisco 49ers, with a 56-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter and a game-record 108-yard kickoff return for a score to open the second half to give the Ravens a 28-6 lead. Baltimore held on for a 34-31 victory for the organization’s second championship. Perhaps even more memorable was a play he made during the playoffs to help get them there, dubbed the “Mile High Miracle.” Jones had a 70-yard, game-tying touchdown catch in the waning seconds of regulation in Baltimore’s AFC divisional round game that season against the Denver Broncos, which the Ravens went on to win in double overtime. The play was voted the greatest moment in team history for the NFL’s 100th anniversary in 2019. “I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement at the time of his death. “His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light. He was the cherished son of his loving mom, Ms. Emily. They were so close. He was a man of faith. “My favorite football play was when Jacoby was talking to his mom in the end zone, just before a late-game kickoff return against the Vikings in a snowstorm shootout. Jacoby then raced to catch the ball and run it back for a touchdown. My favorite Jacoby personal moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of Joy. Rest in peace, Jacoby, in the arms of Jesus.” Jones was also remembered by teammates for his spirit, charisma and humor, as well as his dancing on and off the field as a participant in “Dancing With the Stars.” A third-round draft pick out of Division II Lane College by the Houston Texans in 2007, he spent nine seasons in the NFL, including his first five with Houston. He also played for the then-San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones holds the Ravens’ record for most career kickoff return touchdowns (four), most kickoff return touchdowns in a single season (two) and the longest kickoff return in team history. He finished his career with 203 catches for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 4,940 yards and five touchdowns as a kick returner and 2,688 yards and four scores as a punt returner. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Trenton Simpson played sparingly as a rookie. The Ravens are betting he’s ready for much more. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 6, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Russell Gage signing, offensive line rookies and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Arthur Maulet, a valuable and versatile veteran, could be out for a while with knee injury Baltimore Ravens | Ravens sign veteran WR Russell Gage; Rashod Bateman injury ‘not serious’ After signing a one-day contract with Baltimore in September 2017 so he could retire as a member of the Ravens, he went on to be the wide receivers coach at Lane College from 2018 to 2019 as well as at Calvert Hall in 2020. He also coached tight ends at Morgan State in 2021 and wide receivers at Alabama State beginning in 2022. Jones was inducted into the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame last month and is a member of the Hall of Fame at Lane College as well as his high school alma mater, Marion Abramson. Earlier this year, Jones was hired by the Beaumont Renegades, a professional indoor football team based in Texas, as their head coach and offensive coordinator. “What Jacoby loved doing the most was giving back and helping the next generation of kids achieve their dreams and reach their fullest potential,” the Renegades said, in part, in a statement at the time of his death. “He left no one behind and gave time to every young kid and player that asked for it.” View the full article

Trenton Simpson loves the part of his job that calls for unchecked aggression. When the pads went on a week into Ravens training camp, he reveled in the resulting demolition derby. That doesn’t mean he sees contact as the essence of playing linebacker in the NFL. “The linebacker is the quarterback of the defense,” Simpson said. “He’s the person who sets the tone. Everything starts with the linebacker. It’s a pride thing. You’ve got to call the calls, set the front. When you have a great linebacker, I feel like that’s what makes a great defense.” An apt perspective in the town where Ray Lewis made himself the face of a new NFL franchise 28 years ago. But Simpson’s words also illustrate the enormity of the task in front of him as the Ravens ask him to leap into a starting job after he played just 46 defensive snaps his rookie year. He possesses every physical tool required and a mature outlook honed in a military family. Teammates and coaches don’t hesitate to offer bullish predictions on how he’ll handle the promotion. “The guy works his tail off like no other,” said Simpson’s All-Pro linebacking partner, Roquan Smith. “Always trying to find ways to get better, and you can see day-in and day-out his approach to the game, his extra meeting time, and the guy is probably one of the most athletic people on the team, if not [the most]. Jumps out of the gym, 4.3[-second 40-yard dash] speed, can do everything. With more reps and him putting it all together, I think the guy really has a chance to special, and he has that hungry attitude, so I’m just excited to go to work with him.” Make no mistake, however, the Ravens gambled aggressively when they made little effort to re-sign Pro Bowl inside linebacker Patrick Queen or to sign a veteran to compete with Simpson this summer. With a salary cap constricted by quarterback Lamar Jackson’s enormous deal, they have to rely on recently drafted players at key spots. In Simpson, they’re counting on a lightly tested third-round draft pick to do a complex job, one that did not come easily to his predecessor, Queen. Of Pro Football Focus’ top 20 graded inside linebackers who played at least 600 defensive snaps last season, only two were in their first or second seasons. “It’s always a step in this league,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s going to be expanding his responsibilities greatly, but he’s done much to earn that opportunity.” The Ravens are betting not just on Trenton Simpson’s talent but on the idea his task won’t be quite so daunting with Roquan Smith at his side. (Kim Hairston/Staff) The Ravens are betting not just on Simpson’s talent but on the idea his task won’t be quite so daunting with Smith at his side, calling the defensive signals from middle linebacker. Queen, for example, benefited from shifting to the weak side when the Ravens brought back veteran Josh Bynes to stabilize the middle of their defense in 2021. His play hit another level when the Ravens traded for Smith midway through the 2022 season. Context is essential, and Smith’s presence will mitigate some of the scrutiny on Simpson when he makes inevitable mistakes in zone coverage and other subtler aspects of his job. Two wildly different men live inside Simpson. There’s the easy-smiling 23-year-old who greets you with a firm handshake and thinks carefully before answering each question. Then there’s the berserker who began dropping teammates as soon as the Ravens introduced contact to camp. “I feel like I’ve been that way my whole life on the football field,” he said. “I truly do. When I put that helmet on, it’s like a switch. It’s time to ball. It’s time to be a dog. When I take it off, it’s good person, teammate.” It’s a familiar dichotomy for Ravens linebackers. Smith is a curious, affable conversationalist in the locker room, a foul-mouthed, guided missile on the field. “Being around Roquan has definitely helped me get better at turning that switch on,” Simpson said. “Every play is a game rep, Super Bowl trip on the line. So you’ve just got to focus like that.” Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr knows more than a little about thriving at inside linebacker while being a nice guy every day but Sunday. He sees Simpson’s personality as a natural fit. “Really, just as a football player, but I think specifically at that position, you have to have a different type of mindset when you step out on that field,” Orr said. “You have to be mean, you have to be tough, and you have to be physical. So, if you’re going to play middle linebacker, you know [that] when you step between those white lines, it gets real, real fast, so you’ve got to be ready.” Simpson spent his early years around Fort Benning, Georgia. His dad, Timothy, was an Army Ranger who served 17 overseas tours — father and son often had to maintain their bond over Skype and FaceTime — and rose to the rank of Command Sgt. Major. “It taught me discipline, how to be accountable,” Simpson said of growing up in a military setting. “Holding myself to a standard, having a routine, following it. My parents always instilled being respectful.” Taking on new jobs in unfamiliar settings, a pertinent quality for professional athletes, is second nature to him. “I feel like the Army teaches you to be adaptable,” he said. “You get put into different locker rooms, you do to different teams throughout your life, and you’ve just got to know how to adapt.” He made his football debut as a 6-year-old running back with the Northeast Packers. Like most young men, he felt most alive with the ball in his hands. He was still a ball carrier at the start of his career at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. In his first game as a starting defender, he sacked the quarterback three times. A deluge of scholarship offers soon followed. He was a 5-star recruit, listed by some recruiting services as the best linebacker in the country. Given such acclaim, he warmed to the notion of demolishing running backs instead of being the target. “I fell in love with it,” he said. His “get back up” mentality served him well last season, when, after a decorated career as a starter at Clemson, he watched Smith and Queen handle all the meaningful reps for one of the finest defenses in football. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 6, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Russell Gage signing, offensive line rookies and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Arthur Maulet, a valuable and versatile veteran, could be out for a while with knee injury Baltimore Ravens | Ravens sign veteran WR Russell Gage; Rashod Bateman injury ‘not serious’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens player slams Olympic sportsmanship display by Team USA gymnasts “I truly believe that it humbled me and brought me back down to have a true appreciation for the reps you do get,” Simpson said. “And then, whenever your moment comes, you have to maximize it. But honestly, it was the best thing that could have happened to me, because it gave me a year to grow. I sat behind two Pro Bowl linebackers. There was nothing rushed.” With Smith sitting for the Ravens’ regular-season finale last year, Simpson made four tackles, including a sack, in 26 snaps, earning one of the highest grades on the team from Pro Football Focus. His stellar cameo helped convince the team he would be ready for a star turn in Year 2. Simpson doesn’t pause in saying he expects to become a Pro Bowl linebacker, but his goals for this year aren’t that specific. “They just want to keep seeing growth, and that’s the goal for me,” he said. “Just being a growing player, learning from my coaches and teammates and becoming somebody they can trust.” After a year on the sideline, Simpson greets even the scorching, tedious days of camp enthusiastically. He’s a natural partner for Smith, who still sprints onto the practice field every afternoon in his seventh season. “You get a chance to go perform today,” Simpson said. “That’s the feeling I’ve been getting every single day, and I pray it continues to stay the same.” View the full article

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Devin Leary hands off to running back Chris Collier during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar blocks tight end Mike Rigerman during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar catches a pass above tight end Scotty Washington during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Russell Gage makes the first appearance with his new team during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill receives the handoff from quarterback Josh Johnson during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive end Brent Urban breaks during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive end Brent Urban drinks water during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Bump Cooper Jr. sprints during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive back Brandon Stephens and safety Kyle Hamilton turn upfield during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams sprints during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins and safety Beau Brade turn together during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace autographs memorabilia for youngsters during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Outreached arms holding footballs surround Colton Berg, 11 of Pasadena as young fans seek the autograph of Baltimore Ravens Josh Jones during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

The Ravens signed veteran receiver Russell Gage on Tuesday, and it’s a good move to add depth and get Gage adjusted if top wide receiver Rashod Bateman misses extensive time. Bateman did not practice Tuesday after making a strong catch going up against two defenders in the latter part of practice Monday. He was eventually helped off the field by a trainer, but he walked under his own power. “Yes, not serious,” coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday of Bateman’s injury. “You saw him land on it after he made that catch, [and he] kind of hit the ground hard. [It’s] nothing long term.” It’s not unusual for a team to make this kind of move, and most teams are aware of unsigned free agents. Gage, 28, has spent the past two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but missed all of last season with a torn patellar tendon. Before Tampa Bay, he spent four season with the Atlanta Falcons. He has 2,491 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns in 74 career games. If Bateman is out for some time, at least Gage will have familiarity with the Ravens’ offense under second-year coordinator Todd Monken. Three other noteworthy players who didn’t participate Tuesday were center Tyler Linderbaum for the fourth straight practice as well as outside linebacker Odafe Oweh and cornerback Arthur Maulet. “Arthur has been dealing with a knee issue. We’ll see. It’s not going to be anything season-ending, but we’re looking at it right now – we have to figure out what it is,” Harbaugh said. “Odafe [Oweh] sprained his ankle a little bit — he should be fine.” Moving pieces up front Ben Cleveland, the fourth-year offensive lineman out of Georgia, took most of the repetitions with the first-team offense Tuesday at center but the Ravens also allowed Darrian Dalcourt, a rookie free agent out of Alabama and a Havre de Grace native, to get a lot of work at the position. At 6 feet 3 and 320 pounds, Dalcourt moves reasonably well and has enough quickness to make blocks into the second level. The St. Frances graduate also knows how to position himself well and cut off pursuit from the backside. In addition to Dalcourt, another rookie starting to make a favorable impression is right tackle Roger Rosengarten, the second-round pick out of Washington. He has good explosiveness off the ball and seems more comfortable with the offense. Several times on Tuesday, he held up in pass protection against Justin Madubuike, who was one of the best defensive linemen in the league last season. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Devin Leary hands off to running back Chris Collier during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill receives the handoff from quarterback Josh Johnson during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams sprints during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Russell Gage makes the first appearance with his new team during training camp Tuesday in Owings Mills. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Beau Brade walks behind another Ravens player with the same number, wide receiver Russell Gage, who makes the first appearance with his new team during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Bump Cooper Jr. sprints during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive back Brandon Stephens and safety Kyle Hamilton turn upfield during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins and safety Beau Brade turn together during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar blocks tight end Mike Rigerman during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar catches a pass above tight end Scotty Washington during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace autographs memorabilia for youngsters during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Outreached arms holding footballs surround Colton Berg, 11 of Pasadena as young fans seek the autograph of Baltimore Ravens Josh Jones during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Show Caption1 of 16Baltimore Ravens quarterback Devin Leary hands off to running back Chris Collier during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Expand Where’s the syrup? Did anyone get the license plate of that truck? During individual pass protection Tuesday, one member of the defensive line tossed rookie guard Andrew Vorhees around in a move that was straight out of professional wrestling. It was brutal. In fact, I haven’t seen a pancake like that since my last visit to the International House of Pancakes. The ups and downs For the second straight day, safety Ar’Darius Washington came up with a big interception, this time late in practice when he read the eyes of quarterback Lamar Jackson and jumped in front of the intended receiver to make the catch. There were some questions about Washington making the team, especially with so much talent in the secondary, but he just keeps finding ways to make plays. Speaking of Jackson, if he had a little more discipline, that might be the difference in him winning a Super Bowl title. Jackson’s technique or mechanics get sloppy at times, even when he is playing well. Sometimes it costs him. Unfortunately, it has happened in big games. Jackson is 2-4 in the postseason. Backup looks better Backup quarterback Josh Johnson, a 10-year veteran, struggled early in training camp when Jackson missed time because of an illness. But as the backup, the 38-year-old Johnson has played well and showed some really good touch on passes down the field. Maybe it’s because the pressure is off with Jackson back working with the first team. Best on best There was a nice battle down the right sideline for a 40-yard pass midway through practice with slot receiver Zay Flowers going against cornerback Brandon Stephens. Flowers had a step or two on Stephens and had to wait a second for the ball, but it was a catch he should have made. He dropped the pass while going out of bounds. Stephens, though, did make a good play and I liked his celebration dance. Those are the things that can make training camp practices fun, even though Flowers wasn’t laughing. A wrinkle or two? I can’t go into detail here, but I like some of the stuff the Ravens are doing offensively inside the red zone. They will catch some teams that won’t be prepared. It’s both fun and entertaining. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 6, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Arthur Maulet, a valuable and versatile veteran, could be out for a while with knee injury Baltimore Ravens | Ravens sign veteran WR Russell Gage; Rashod Bateman injury ‘not serious’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens player slams Olympic sportsmanship display by Team USA gymnasts Baltimore Ravens | Looking for a breakout Raven? You can’t miss ‘superhuman’ Travis Jones | ANALYSIS Back in top form A year ago, there were a lot of fans demanding the Ravens should trade cornerback Marlon Humphrey because he was getting toasted downfield by speedy receivers. I never thought it was entirely Humphrey’s fault, but also good coaching by the other team. Humphrey was missing extensive time because of injuries, so it was a great strategy for opposing teams to challenge him down the field with the long ball. Now that his body has had time to heal and he has lost some weight, Humphrey has been one of the best defensive backs in camp. That’ll work I saw running back Derrick Henry dart into the right side of the line of scrimmage and then bounce outside as he outran middle linebacker Roquan Smith around the edge. I don’t know Smith’s pursuit angle, but if you can beat the All-Pro defender off the edge, I’ll take it. Getting the full picture Safety Kyle Hamilton spends a lot of time looking over the computer tablet during practice. It’s all part of the NFL’s new generation, but that usually doesn’t happen in practice. View the full article

Injuries are inevitable during training camp, and the Ravens suffered their most significant one to date this week. Cornerback Arthur Maulet was absent from Tuesday’s practice in Owings Mills with a knee injury, coach John Harbaugh said. While Harbaugh didn’t put a timetable on Maulet’s return, it doesn’t sound as if it will be immediate. “We’ll see,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not going to be anything season-ending, but we’re looking at it right now.” When a reporter asked whether it was more of a long-term injury, Harbaugh responded by saying he’d just answered that. Maulet practiced Monday and didn’t appear to be in any pain. Late in the session, he was standing on the sideline talking with teammates and showed no signs of discomfort. Though the Ravens have a deep and talented secondary, losing the 31-year-old veteran would be a blow given his ability and versatility. Maulet is expected to again be Baltimore’s starting slot corner, a role he performed well in after signing a one-year deal with the Ravens last summer. Last season, he had 37 tackles, one interception, five passes defended, two sacks, five tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries in 14 games. A physical and skilled defender and adept at blitzing off the edge, Maulet also performed solidly on special teams and epitomized the Ravens’ culture. That netted him a raise with Baltimore re-signing the ex-Pittsburgh Steeler to a two-year, $4 million deal last month. “It was very key to re-sign Arthur Maulet,” Harbaugh said last week. “He’s a guy that I was pretty confident that we were going to re-sign all the way. I felt like he wanted to be here, and we wanted him back, and [general manager] Eric [DeCosta] had a good plan. It’s one of these things, sometimes the right players are looking for the right team, and I feel like Arthur was the right player for us, and we were the right team for him, and it’s really paying off.” Arthur Maulet had been a standout through the first two weeks of training camp. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Maulet likewise had little interest in leaving Baltimore to test free agency after asking the Steelers to release him in May 2023. “I didn’t want to go anywhere,” he said last week. “I love it here — this is like a second home to me. “I want to end my career here. I just want to prove every day that I’m worth their investment, like I said, [and] keep grinding away and getting better every day.” Maulet had been a standout through the first two weeks of training camp and at one point recorded an interception on three consecutive days. He has been a vocal leader among the group as well. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens sign veteran WR Russell Gage; Rashod Bateman injury ‘not serious’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens player slams Olympic sportsmanship display by Team USA gymnasts Baltimore Ravens | Looking for a breakout Raven? You can’t miss ‘superhuman’ Travis Jones | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Soccer and football in 72 hours: Renovated Ravens stadium prepares for AC Milan, FC Barcelona Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on the offensive line conundrum, Rashod Bateman and more | COMMENTARY He also expects to play an expanded role this season alongside starting cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens after ranking fourth among Ravens corners in snaps last season with 408. “Offseason work [helped me],” Maulet said last week. “I worked out every day, I didn’t take too much time off. Broke down the film and saw my weaknesses and attacked them. Just got in the lab. was truthfully honest with myself. wanted to be a bigger piece this year [and] help this team win. I think we have one common goal, and we know what it is.” Though it appears the Ravens will be without Maulet for some time, they do have replacement options. Humphrey as well as All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton are among those who can step in to play in the slot. Cornerback Ar’Darius Washington, who has primarily been working at safety during training camp, also has experience in the role. “We have a lot of guys we’ve got a lot of confidence in,” Harbaugh said last week of the secondary. “We just want to see those guys keep doing well, keep growing [and] keep getting better, and see where it takes us.” The Ravens will open their preseason Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles. View the full article