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

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

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

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

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

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

Ravens wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, right, practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, right, talks with Roger Rosengarten, left, during training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running-back Derrick Henry practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, practices with running-back Derrick Henry during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, right, talks with Roger Rosengarten, left, during training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Raven safety Kyle Hamilton, left, practices with cornerbacks during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, left, practices with Ar’Darius Washington, right, during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens’ Keith Kirkwood, center, works out with the receivers group during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, right, practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide-receiver Rashod Bateman practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, and his back-ups, Josh Johnson, from left, Devin Leary and Emory Jones practice during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, right, hangs out with wide-receiver Rashod Bateman, left,during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running-back Derrick Henry speaks with media after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton speaks with reporter after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running-back Derrick Henry 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 outside linebacker David Ojabo speaks with media after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

When in Wisconsin, do what the Packers do. The Ravens are heading to Green Bay this week for a joint practice with the Packers on Thursday, giving quarterback Lamar Jackson and the rest of the starters who haven’t played in the preseason a chance to test themselves against an unfamiliar opponent. Baltimore players are also set to take part in a decades-old Green Bay tradition: riding bikes to practice. In what first started as a “spontaneous celebration” in 1958, kids are encouraged to bring their bikes to historic Lambeau Field to offer rides to Ravens and Packers players alike. Every Ravens player is expected to participate if there are enough bikes available, the Packers said, so fans and community members are asked to “welcome the team in true Green Bay fashion.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Adisa Isaac’s latest injury, Devontez Walker’s impressive day Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 20, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Hometown star Beau Brade hopes to beat the odds and make the Ravens Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has more energy, less fatigue and shakes off brief practice exit Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on upcoming joint practice with Packers, another OL combination and more The joint practice will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, and kids can line up near the visiting locker room entrance on the south side of Lambeau Field as early as 8 a.m. The Ravens will begin practice on Clarke Hinkle Field before joining the Packers on Ray Nitschke Field. Players will also ride bikes back to the locker room after practice. In recent years, the Packers have taken part in several joint practice sessions in conjunction with preseason games, hosting the Houston Texans, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots in Green Bay. Houston was the only other team to fully take part in the bike tradition, largely because former defensive end J.J. Watt played at the University of Wisconsin. The Ravens will face the Packers in both teams’ preseason finale Saturday at 1 p.m. at Lambeau Field. Baltimore begins the regular season Sept. 5 at Kansas City to take on the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, while Green Bay opens its season the following night against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil. View the full article

Few young football players get to live out their NFL dreams. Even fewer get to fulfill that prophecy on the team they grew up rooting for. Former River Hill and Maryland standout safety Beau Brade is vying to become the latest to join that group. As training camp nears its end and final cuts next Tuesday looming, Brade is fighting for his spot on the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster. One of five safeties on the 90-man roster, he grew up a Ravens fan, adopting many of his hard-hitting tendencies from Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. Brade is looking to become the third River Hill graduate to play in the NFL, following in the footsteps of wide receiver Michael Campanaro and cornerback Kevin Johnson. Campanaro, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft, appeared in 24 games for the Ravens from 2014 to 2017, while Johnson was a first-round draft pick in 2015 and played in 64 games for the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns from 2015 to 2020. Brade, who like Johnson was a Howard County Times Defensive Player of the Year as a high school senior, faces longer odds as an undrafted free agent. Through two preseason games, the safety is third on the team with 11 total tackles (seven solo) and a forced fumble. He finished with a team-high eight tackles in Saturday’s 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons. “It’s been better than I could’ve expected. Growing up, this is the team I wanted to play for,” Brade told The Baltimore Sun on Monday. “My time here, of course, it’s been a dream. But it wasn’t a dream to really get here, it’s a dream to stay here and get to Super Bowls. I’ve been doing all I can to make this team and become the best player that I can be. Not just for myself but for the team, whatever they need.” Brade’s NFL journey didn’t start as he had hoped. After leading the Terps in tackles each of the past two seasons, the Clarksville native did not hear his name called in April’s draft and then missed much of the spring with an ankle injury that he suffered in the first practice. Yet, he persevered, leaning on support from family — his father, Ron, played college football at Virginia Tech — and the team. Those challenges developed a chip on his shoulder. They also proved humbling and reinforced playing with a purpose, never knowing when it could be his last snap. “He has dealt with a few injuries. Quiet until we got him in the rookie skit. Then he wasn’t quiet anymore; he was funny. That was fun to see his personality even more,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “He’s stepped up. He’s covered well, but he’s also made some hits. That’s what I’ve enjoyed seeing on both defense and special teams.” While Brade has brought thunderous hits, he’s also showcased his personality. In the group rookie sketch, Brade and others reenacted and shared some jokes about Marlon Humphrey’s podcast “The Punchline Pod.” One of the guys portrayed Roquan Smith with help from special guests veteran defensive lineman Brent Urban and outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith. “Growing up, this is the team I wanted to play for,” Ravens safety Beau Brade, left, said. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Brade’s humorous side is a stark contrast to his personality in practice and on gamedays. The rookie prides himself on practicing how he would play in a game. Yet, suiting up on gameday for his favorite childhood team requires a delicate balance. He described running out of the tunnel before the preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium against the Eagles on Aug. 9 as a “great feeling that hadn’t really sunk in yet.” Brade recognizes the magnitude of the accomplishment and the people who helped him get there. However, he doesn’t bask in its significance and treats it as any other game. That level-headed and hard-working mindset is ingrained in Brade’s DNA. He learned its value at a young age from his father and has built on it ever since. Brade vividly remembers watching Bud Foster’s hard-nosed Virginia Tech defenses as a kid and adopted that personality in his game. “Beau Brade has been great. He’s a locked-in young guy,” Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said on Wednesday. “I love to see that as an undrafted free agent. We knew he was talented coming from Maryland, and all he’s done is come in and work. I know he had the injury in the spring, but ever since he’s been back, he’s continued to get better and better and better. I’m really excited about him.” Safety Beau Brade, right, faces an uphill battle to make the Ravens’ roster as an undrafted free agent. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Brade blended that edge with a consistent thirst for knowledge to acclimate to the NFL. He is learning from his coaches and the veterans in the defensive back room, specifically defensive backs Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams and Humphrey. “The other day, Marcus Williams helped me with some middle of the field stuff, just to make sure I’m ready when the game comes around,” Brade said. “It’s the little things that really matter. So, even if I think I did it right or it looked like it was almost right, I can ask them to give me a little bit more information and that will make the biggest difference in the world. Those guys are All-Pros and Pro Bowlers, big-time players. I love to learn from them. I’m humble and I’ll take advice from anybody.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has more energy, less fatigue and shakes off brief practice exit Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on upcoming joint practice with Packers, another OL combination and more Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 13-12 preseason win over Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Josh Johnson, young pass rushers, offensive line and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Adisa Isaac shows promise before exiting preseason debut: ‘He was a factor’ Still, Brade faces an uphill battle to make the roster. He’ll likely need to stand out on special teams to earn his spot considering the prowess of the Ravens’ defensive backfield. In Monday’s practice, Brade rotated in multiple roles on the punt team, including as the upback. That versatility will be tested this week as the Ravens travel to Green Bay for a joint practice Thursday with the Packers before Saturday’s preseason finale at Lambeau Field. As training camp nears its end, Brade’s mindset remains the same: leave everything out on the field. “I just hope to do everything in my control and my power to make the team,” Brade said. “Going out every rep, trying my hardest and playing all the way through the whistle and getting as close to the ball as I can every rep. If I do that, I can’t have any regrets whether I make the team or not and I’ll be happy with that.” Preseason finale Ravens at Packers Saturday, 1 p.m. TV: NBC Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

Midway through Monday’s practice, Lamar Jackson sat about 20 yards behind the wall of teammates watching 11-on-11 drills in the red zone. A trainer stood over the Ravens quarterback while he stretched his ankles. Baltimore’s starting quarterback and the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player went inside, missing about 10 minutes of the light practice, likely getting his ankles taped. He returned to the field, hopping right into seven-on-seven drills without hesitation. Jackson finished practice taking his normal reps without any noticeable setbacks. How does he feel after the brief, mid-practice exit? “I’m good. I’m wonderful. I’m great. I’m good,” he said confidently. The practice was a much calmer environment than the last few weeks have been, with Monday being the first day without fans roaring after every big play. While the defense seemed to still pounce at something closer to resembling game speed early, Jackson still made a few impressive plays. His best throw was a bomb down the right sideline to wide receiver Rashod Bateman for a touchdown. Two plays later, he went to veteran wideout Anthony Miller, a recent addition who continues to impress, for a 20-yard pickup against the right sideline. After that, Jackson overthrew Nelson Agholor in double coverage on a post route. His one interception of the day was a lob toward the back left corner of the end zone intended for Keith Kirkwood. Third-year cornerback Damarion Williams undercut the route and made a leaping grab for a pick. Jackson returned to the field against what was by then a more lax defense. He threaded an impressive ball through a seam to a streaking tight end Charlie Kolar up the left hash mark. He connected again with Bateman up the left sideline, beating coverage by rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins. Jackson hasn’t played in either of the Ravens’ first two preseason games and likely won’t play at 1 p.m. Saturday for the preseason finale in Green Bay. That’s in line with coach John Harbaugh’s precautionary decision to keep him out in recent years. “We want to put our best foot forward right out of the gates as much as we can,” Harbaugh said. Jackson will, however, finally see a defense that isn’t wearing purple during a joint practice with the Packers on Thursday — “I’m tired going against my guys,” he said. “I’m very competitive, so sometimes I do want to go play,” Jackson continued. “But at the same time, I know why our coaches are keeping us off the field; and I’d rather just play [the] regular season than going out there and things happen.” Jackson dropped a bit of weight from last year to this year, entering camp at 200 pounds. That’s reportedly 15 pounds slimmer than last year and 30 below his 2022 weight. The visibly slimmer Jackson has previously talked about becoming faster and more elusive. A visibly slimmer Lamar Jackson says he has more energy this year, saying, “I’m not fatigued as much. If I’m running 30 yards down the field, I can come back and just be like me, like a robot, even though I’m not a robot.” (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Some of that has been noticeable in camp thus far. He said it’s most noticeable returning to the huddle after a big play. “I’ve got a lot more energy,” Jackson said. “I’m not fatigued as much. If I’m running 30 yards down the field, I can come back and just be like me, like a robot, even though I’m not a robot. So yes, I’m feeling good. I just feel better, a lot better.” It’s the kind of change Jackson envisions making him even more dynamic. Last season, Jackson had a career-high 307 completions at his best percentage (67.2) for his most yards (3,678). He also had the third-most carries (148) of his career for the third-most yards (821). More energy and less fatigue are a dangerous boost to his already strong dual-threat capabilities. “Lamar Jackson does things that just don’t seem possible with the football in his hands,” Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning said at Fanatics Fest over the weekend. Soon-to-be Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady — who has previously criticized the league’s talent level — doubled down that Jackson “always impresses me as a player.” Jackson was asked his reaction to hearing such praise from two of the game’s best at his position. “That’s crazy,” he said, a bit bug-eyed. “That’s dope, especially coming from those guys. Those [are] guys who [are] on top of the Mount Rushmore right now, for me at least. That’s great — that’s great to hear that from the GOATs.” Jackson also hit on how excited he is about the start of the regular season with the playmakers around him. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on upcoming joint practice with Packers, another OL combination and more Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 13-12 preseason win over Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Josh Johnson, young pass rushers, offensive line and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Adisa Isaac shows promise before exiting preseason debut: ‘He was a factor’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Tavius Robinson on key tackle | VIDEO He joked about always getting questions on running back Derrick Henry: “Just to see this guy do what he’s been doing since forever, I’m just ready,” he said. Jackson lauded the growing chemistry with many of his returning stars in the passing game heading into Year 2 leading Todd Monken’s offense. “I feel like this year,” Jackson said, “it’ll be different this go-around.” While assuring eager reporters that he’s fully healthy, digesting acclaim from legends and handing out compliments to teammates, one reporter noticed a significant tear in his undershirt. Jackson said it happened during a practice last week. He hugged the ball and darted through a hole in the offensive line when a defender tried to wrangle him down by his T-shirt. “I just kept running,” Jackson said. “But I’m going to say a bear tried to fight me, and I won. How about that?” Only 17 more days until he’ll face 11 bears dressed as Kansas City Chiefs defenders — a tall Week 1 test. View the full article

The Ravens have one more preseason game on Saturday in Green Bay, a final chance for the players on the fringe to prove they deserve a spot on the initial 53-man roster. But with a monumental opponent on the horizon in the regular-season opener, coach John Harbaugh said the Chiefs are starting to come into Baltimore’s focus. “We’re pointing toward two things,” he said. “We’re pointing toward Green Bay. And we’re also pointing toward Kansas City.” The Ravens will practice with the Packers on Thursday before their preseason finale. Joint practices have been commonplace under Harbaugh — Baltimore has done one eight of the past 10 years, but just once since 2021. They offer a unique test for teams that have become accustomed to battling their teammates in practice. That can get mundane. Energy, at times, is low, and each side gets used to the other’s tendencies. For the first time this summer, several starters will go against an opponent not wearing purple and black, the last time they’ll do so until they face the two-time defending Super Bowl champions to begin the NFL season on Sept. 5. But for that same reason, joint practices also present unique challenges. Aggression that’s festered with no way to release it could surface. The Ravens hope to avoid that. “If both teams come into it with the same idea, that they’re two good football teams trying to take advantage of the opportunity to practice against another good football team and get a good football practice in, that’s what you want,” Harbaugh said. “If the team’s coming in like, ‘We’re trying to prove something,’ some junior high thing, then it’s usually not good.” Injury report Mark Andrews didn’t practice Monday and hasn’t taken the field since his car accident on Wednesday. Harbaugh called the tight end’s situation “very minor” and said he “doesn’t want to mess with anything” by having Andrews practice. He’ll be with the team in Green Bay but might not see the field again until next week. Tyler Linderbaum is “right on schedule” with his recovery from a neck injury, Harbaugh said, but the center won’t be cleared for contact this week. The team remains hopeful he’ll be ready for the regular-season opener. Rookies Adisa Isaac, Devontez Walker and Rasheen Ali also did not practice on Monday. They all played sparingly in Saturday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons and are dealing with various ailments. Baltimore Ravens defensive ends Brent Urban, left and C.J. Ravenell block defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton catches the ball during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The Baltimore Ravens line use rubber bands during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones blocks nose tackle Michael Pierce during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens' Daniel Faalele sets during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman tosses the ball during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens' Roger Rosengarten during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tackle Roger Rosengarten practices in front of quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Devin Leary during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson holds out his hands to imaginary fans while emerging to participate in training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Sanoussi Kane catches the ball during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Yvandy Rigby during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Deion Jennings catches the ball during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Members of the Baltimore Ravens offense listen to instructions during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson speaks to the media during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinatorZach Orr during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Sanoussi Kane catches the ball during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman holds the football during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens catches the ball during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens cornerback T.J. Tampa catches a ball during practice on Monday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A football tumbles through the air during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Show Caption1 of 22Baltimore Ravens defensive ends Brent Urban, left and C.J. Ravenell block defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Expand A sight to behold There are few things more frightening than having 6-foot-3, 247-pound Derrick Henry turn the corner on a toss play. But it’s even worse when 6-3 and 300-pound Patrick Ricard is the lead blocker. The Ravens ran counter several times Monday only to have Ricard pull. Other times, inside linebacker Deion Jennings and Yvandy Rigby took steps forward only to have Ricard block down on them. If these were game situations, both Jennings and Rigby might still be searching for teeth. More OL juggling The Ravens had yet another offensive line combination, with Nick Samac, a 2023 seventh-round draft pick, starting at center. The Ravens have had Patrick Mekari and Ben Cleveland (and others) there, but all these guys are agile and can make blocks into the second level. It’s still Linderbaum’s job, of course, but at least the Ravens have some solid backup candidates. Now, while on the subject of the offensive line: End Justin Madubuike embarrassed guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu several times on Monday. Not only did he beat the second-year guard several times during seven-on-seven action, but he also left right guard Daniel Faalele scratching his head and looking for answers during one-on-one pass protection drills. You can’t help but feel kind of bad for the Ravens’ offensive line at this point. They are going to miss line coach Joe D’Alessandris, who will be out for a significant time with an undisclosed illness. D’Alessandris had a unique relationship with his players. He wasn’t afraid to get in their faces when they screwed up but was also able to get them to play hard because of his straightforward approach. “I think we’re close,” Harbaugh said of finding the starting five offensive linemen. “I think we have a pretty good idea and what way it’s trending in different areas. It’s not all together solidified, but we’re in a good place right now.” Undrafted rookie running back Chris Collier, right, continues to impress at Ravens training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Undrafted rookies making their mark Two rookie sleepers who might make the roster one way or another are rookie running back Chris Collier, the 5-11 and 210-pound free agent out of Lock Haven, and safety Beau Brade, a former River Hill and Maryland standout. Neither are expected to get much playing time in 2024, but Brade, at 6-foot and 209 pounds, has played well in training camp, and the Ravens have been impressed with his progress. “Beau has dealt with a few injuries, but [he’s] quiet, until we got him in the rookie skit, [and] then he wasn’t quiet anymore; he’s funny,” Harbaugh said. “So, that was fun — to see his personality even more. But yes, he’s stepped up. He’s covered well, but he’s also made some hits — that’s what I’ve enjoyed seeing – both on defense and special teams.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has more energy, less fatigue and shakes off brief practice exit Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens’ 13-12 preseason win over Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Josh Johnson, young pass rushers, offensive line and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Adisa Isaac shows promise before exiting preseason debut: ‘He was a factor’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Tavius Robinson on key tackle | VIDEO Moments to forget Ugliest pass of the day belonged to rookie quarterback Devin Leary, who started down a tight end wearing a Travis Kelce jersey, and then had an interception returned for a touchdown by rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins. Practice makes perfect Harbaugh has heard the advantages and disadvantages of playing starters in the preseason, but with a bizarre second-half schedule, the Ravens have to get off to a strong start. “We want to start the season off well. We want to put our best foot forward right out of the gates as much as we can,” he said. “It’s hard to do, there’s no guarantee you’re going to do that, and there’s a lot of question marks to that every year. We have done well over the years doing that because we practice well. It comes down to practice. Practice is what makes it; preseason games don’t make or break you that way, it’s the practices that make you because that’s what you stack.” View the full article

Tavius Robinson’s clutch tackle on a 2-point attempt clinched the Ravens’ 13-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in their second preseason outing. Here are five things we learned from the game. David Ojabo reminded us he can be quite a sight coming off the edge This was how he and the Ravens imagined it — Ojabo whipping around his blocker’s outside shoulder and hurrying Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke into an incompletion. Ojabo has spent most of his NFL career fighting to feel like himself. First, a torn Achilles tendon delayed his start. Then, a knee injury cut short his hotly anticipated second season. If his luck does not turn in Year 3, will it ever? Doctors did not clear Ojabo for the Ravens’ preseason opener, but he was back on the field Saturday, and that rush on Heinicke reminded us why the team regarded him as a potential second-round steal in the 2022 draft. As much as anyone on the team, Ojabo needs encouraging game reps after playing so little in his first two seasons. “It seemed like when he was out there, he was a factor,” coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s great in practice, especially when you’re in pads. But the game is when it’s football. So to see guys step up in games is really important.” That hurry and a quarterback hit in the two-minute drill were the highlights of a promising performance in which pass rushing opportunities proved scarce. The Falcons often went with quick throws that flowed away from Ojabo. He dropped into coverage when Atlanta faced third-and-11 on its first drive. Even when he was touted as a first-round pass rusher, Ojabo drew more praise for his length and quickness than his power. He sometimes struggles to generate push when pitted one-on-one against NFL tackles, in this case Atlanta’s third-string left tackle, Julien Davenport. But he did fine setting the edge on a few running plays, and Harbaugh called his run defense “stout.” Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus, left, tries to get past Ravens guard Daniel Faalele during Saturday’s preseason game. (Kim Hairston/Staff) The Ravens’ offensive line plan was always risky. On Saturday, we saw the downside. The Ravens have spent the last month behaving as if Andrew Vorhees will start at left guard and Daniel Faalele at right guard. That’s a second-year guy who did not play at all last season as he rehabilitated a torn ACL and a converted right tackle who struggled in limited opportunities over his first two years. It’s risky, no matter what you think of Vorhees and Faalele’s potential. Kevin Zeitler’s pencil-it-in excellence is a thing of the past. With the caveat that offensive line play is difficult to judge in the moment, both guards started shakily Saturday. The Ravens’ first drive ended with Falcons defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro mauling quarterback Josh Johnson for a 12-yard loss after he easily shed Vorhees’ block. On their second offensive series, the Falcons stopped running back Owen Wright for no gain on second-and-6 in part because Faalele could not stay in front of his man in space. Wright and Chris Collier combined for a paltry 22 yards on 15 carries in the first half, scary stuff for an offense that counts on leading the league in ground efficiency. Johnson and Wright aren’t Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, but even deity-tier talents need room to work. If the Ravens’ offensive line does not grow up and grow together in a hurry — with coach George Warhop standing in for an ailing Joe D’Alessandris — its inconsistency could undermine everything else that’s good about the team’s offense. “Some, some bad,” Faalele said when asked to assess Saturday’s performance. “The good thing is, it’s still training camp, so we have a lot to work on.” He feels he’s making progress shortening up his pass blocking sets to account for the quicker pace of interior combat. He still texts Zeitler, now with the Detroit Lions, for tips. According to the timeline Harbaugh laid out at the beginning of camp, the Ravens are close to setting their line for the start of the season. They hope the unit, which could include three first-time starters in Vorhees, Faalele and right tackle Roger Rosengarten, will cohere, but that’s a projection based on limited, mixed evidence. “I feel like the more we play together, the more we mesh,” Faalele said. Josh Johnson answered his critics The 38-year-old Johnson’s 4-for-12 performance in the preseason opener had fans calling for general manager Eric DeCosta to make an emergency purchase on the backup quarterback market. Some touted Heinicke, the man starting for the other side Saturday, as a potential target. In a conversation after practice Thursday, Johnson said he doesn’t sweat the criticism. It comes with the territory when you’re backing up one of the league’s most exhilarating talents. Part of the reason the Ravens trust Johnson is that he’s seen and heard it all since he was drafted in 2008. If the worst happens and he has to step in for an injured Jackson, he won’t freak out. His cool was on display against Atlanta as he completed 11 of 11 passes, several into tight windows, to lead the Ravens to a 7-3 halftime advantage. “My style of play may not be as exciting as Lamar, but in terms of making the plays that are necessary, I can do that,” Johnson said. Game-by-game assessments of Johnson’s preseason are largely beside the point. No one is arguing he’s one of the league’s top backups or that he’s going to surprise us at this point in his career. But he knows Todd Monken’s offense inside and out, serves as a valuable sounding board for Jackson and comes at the right price for a team without much wiggle room under the salary cap. Starting the season with him at backup quarterback is no emergency, as he demonstrated Saturday. Anthony Miller has wasted no time making an impression Few of us thought much of it when the Ravens added the 2018 second-round draft pick as part of a wide receiver shopping spree that also brought Russell Gage to Baltimore. Though Miller gave the Chicago Bears reasonable production in his first three seasons, he’s caught all of six passes over the last three seasons, bouncing around practice squads and losing all of 2022 to a shoulder injury. But, man, did he catch the eye as soon as he pulled on a purple No. 5 jersey, running confident routes and accelerating away from coverage as other Ravens receivers trudged through the dog days of training camp. Miller didn’t bust any big plays against the Falcons but caught all three passes thrown his way as he continues his improbable push for a roster spot. It’s probably still a long shot given that Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor are entrenched in the top three spots while Tylan Wallace and Deonte Harty offer special teams value and fourth-round pick Devontez Walker is likely to stick because of his upside. If the Ravens had to play one of these guys in a must-win game next week, however, the 29-year-old Miller looks more ready to help than the rookie Walker, who has struggled to stand out in camp and is now dealing with a rib injury. Ben Cleveland is a man in search of a role The lone strong impression Cleveland made Saturday was a poor one as his errant, mistimed snap derailed a potential scoring drive. Not what you want from a player whose main purpose in camp has been stepping in for injured starter Tyler Linderbaum. “We were trying to go fast, and I was trying to get guys lined up, and everybody was talking and talking. You hear something from this side and something from that side, and I thought I heard the cadence,” Cleveland explained afterward. “That’s completely my mess up, and on me, so we’ve just got to figure out how to differentiate that — the quarterback’s voice to everybody else’s voice — and move forward and not let it happen again.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Josh Johnson, young pass rushers, offensive line and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Adisa Isaac shows promise before exiting preseason debut: ‘He was a factor’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Tavius Robinson on key tackle | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Josh Johnson, David Ojabo stand out in Ravens’ 13-12 preseason win over Falcons Baltimore Ravens | Ravens announcer Gerry Sandusky apologizes after criticizing chain gang in preseason game In theory, Cleveland’s ability to play center gives him a leg up in making the Ravens’ 53-man roster. He could also play right guard if Faalele falters. A versatile reserve is an attractive reserve. That said, Patrick Mekari started at center against the Falcons and would likely be the next man up if Linderbaum can’t go in the regular season (assuming Mekari isn’t playing right tackle). Meanwhile, the Ravens seem disinterested in giving Cleveland reps at guard. So we have to wonder if the 2021 third-round pick is finally running out of chances to carve out a meaningful place on the roster. There’s still a case to be made that Cleveland is more of a sure thing than Faalele. He has performed competently in seven career starts. It’s possible Faalele is getting all the first-team reps because he needs them for development while Cleveland is a known quantity. Unless something changes this week, however, the Ravens aren’t treating Cleveland as a candidate for any of their open jobs. If he can’t compete for snaps at his original position, and he’s not really the backup center, what is he to this team? View the full article

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson might have eased some concerns about him possibly filling in for starter Lamar Jackson with a solid performance Saturday in the Ravens’ 13-12 win against the Atlanta Falcons in the second preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium. Johnson, a 10-year veteran, had a spotty performance a week ago in the preseason opener, completing only 4 of 12 passes for 62 yards in a 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was slow as far as making his reads, which also resulted in poor decision-making. But Saturday, Johnson completed all 11 of his passes for 120 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Owen Wright in the second quarter before being relieved at halftime. The 38-year-old veteran appeared more in control of the offense and threw some nice touch passes, including ones of 31 and 26 yards. Just as important, Johnson appeared in control of the offense, redirecting offensive personnel before the snap. The Ravens could still possibly bring in another quarterback, but they have to feel better about Johnson after Saturday’s game. “I think I can handle everything that’s expected of me [with] regards to the operation of the offense,” Johnson said. “My style of play may not be as exciting as Lamar [Jackson], but in terms of making the plays that are necessary, I can do that. For me, I use my experience to my advantage. Being able to know what the defense is doing and knowing where guys should be, I know how to handle the protections and all those different things. So, I just try to make sure to bring that to practice and in the game, and every game.” David Ojabo shows progress … The Ravens couldn’t get outside linebacker David Ojabo cleared to play last week, but he had a strong performance against Atlanta. Ojabo, a second-round draft pick out of Michigan in 2022, has missed most of the past two seasons with leg injuries and the team has worked hard to get him into playing shape for the 2024 season. The 6-foot-4, 252-pound edge rusher played well Saturday. He wasn’t credited with any tackles but had one quarterback hit and several pressures that forced Falcons quarterbacks to step up in the pocket. The Ravens are counting on Ojabo to have a strong season, especially after their top edge rusher, Jadeveon Clowney, signed with the Carolina Panthers during the offseason. Clowney led the team’s outside linebackers with 9 1/2 sacks in 2023. The Ravens want Ojabo to work into a rotation with fellow outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh. On Saturday, Ojabo showed good speed to the outside and was able to change direction once his progress was halted. He still needs to hold the edge longer, but that will probably come with more playing time or until a running back breaks a long run off the edge he vacated. “It seemed like [Ojabo] was out there, and he was a factor,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It looked like he was really stout against the run. I thought he set some edges really well. He had his eyes back inside — falling back on the ball — trying to get in the C-gap a few times, and then, [his] pass rush was a factor out there. He had some pressures. He looked good.” … but offensive line doesn’t The Ravens started Ben Clevleand at center, Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees at the guard positions and rookie Roger Rosengarten and Josh Jones at the tackle spots, but the group wasn’t impressive. The unit wasn’t very dominant up front and seldom got much movement off the ball. There were times when the pass protection was better than the run blocking, which is ironic considering the Ravens have had one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL over the past five years. The biggest mistake came on third-and-2 from the Falcons’ 22-yard line with 12:04 left in the first half when Cleveland snapped the ball out of the shotgun to Johnson, who wasn’t ready. Atlanta recovered the loose ball on its own 43, ending a promising drive. Baltimore had 301 yards of total offense, but only 71 rushing yards on 30 attempts. “Yes, that was just a miscommunication,” Cleveland said. “We were trying to go fast, and I was trying to get guys lined up, and everybody was talking and talking. You hear something from this side and something from that side, and I thought I heard the cadence. That’s completely my mess up, and [it’s] on me, so we’ve just got to figure out how to differentiate that — the quarterback’s voice to everybody else’s voice — and move forward and not let it happen again.” Cornerback ups and downs Third-year cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis had a strong training camp and has played well in two preseason games. Davis, often bothered by injuries earlier in his career, had two tackles against Atlanta and broke up one pass. Even when he didn’t knock down a pass, his coverage was strong, especially his recovering and closing speed. One player, though, who has struggled has been cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams, who has lacked a strong physical presence since the start of camp. Williams had four tackles Saturday, but also missed a couple of tackles on running backs to the outside. Ravens tight end Riley Sharp lifts wide receiver Dayton Wade after the undrafted receiver scored a 56-yard touchdown against the Falcons on Saturday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Undrafted rookie makes a play The best fake of the game came from Ravens undrafted rookie wide receiver Dayton Wade, who gave Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams a quick squat or sit down move before blowing by him and catching a 56-yard touchdown pass near the left side line from Emory Jones. Hellams did a lot of talking after the catch, but there wasn’t much he could say. “I got the play out of the huddle, knew it was a double move, I got off coverage, and [Falcons cornerback Anthony Johnson] was playing hard inside. I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to set it a little more,’ because I know, previously, I ran the same route, which I ran the double move off of, and they were just playing hard inside and sitting on it,” Wade said. “I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to make sure I really sell it,’ just so I can get the defender to drive, and when I’m coming out of my break, I just know he’s going to try to put hands on me, because I know I’m going to [burn] him right there. So, I got his hands off of me, saw the ball in the air [to] drive and track the ball.” Backup quarterback watch If the Ravens are still in the market for a backup quarterback, they got a nice audition tape from Atlanta’s Taylor Heinicke, who completed 8 of 16 passes for 114 yards. They should also continue to monitor the situation in Cleveland, where the Browns have Jameis Winston at No. 2 followed by former Ravens backup Tyler Huntley and second-year player Dorian Thompson-Robinson backing up starter Deshauwn Watson. Harbaugh said he was happy with his current quarterbacks on the roster, but that could change quickly. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookie Adisa Isaac shows promise before exiting preseason debut: ‘He was a factor’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Tavius Robinson on key tackle | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Josh Johnson, David Ojabo stand out in Ravens’ 13-12 preseason win over Falcons Baltimore Ravens | Ravens announcer Gerry Sandusky apologizes after criticizing chain gang in preseason game Baltimore Ravens | Orioles encourage fans not to show up early Saturday to avoid ‘parking challenges’ with Ravens Adisa Isaac impresses Outside linebacker Adisa Isaac had a strong game for the Ravens, finishing with four tackles. The rookie from Penn State was relentless in pursuit, and few of the Falcons could block him cleanly. Isaac was drafted in the third round in April but was put on the non-football injury list because of a hamstring injury on July 15. When on the field, it appears this kid can play. “He was a factor, rushing the passer [and] in the run game,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a big guy. He’s explosive. He’s not as far along as David [Ojabo] is — as far as the conditioning part of it — because he had the hamstring [injury], so he’s going to be sore tomorrow; I’m quite sure. Hopefully, we can get him back in time for next week, just because that’s tough to get out there and work that kind of … play in a real game with that kind of [explosiveness] and that kind of speed when it’s hot out there without as much conditioning. “So, I do worry about that a little bit with him, but I am happy about the way he played. He sure looked good. He’s kind of got a start there.” Keep an eye on Anthony Miller It might be wishful thinking to believe veteran receiver Anthony Miller will make the roster, but he just keeps making plays. He had only three catches for 16 yards Saturday, but he certainly put Johnson in a comfort zone by completing several quick outs early in the first quarter. View the full article

The Ravens have had two rookies suffer injuries in as many preseason games. Last week, it was cornerback Nate Wiggins who exited early with a shoulder injury against the Philadelphia Eagles before returning to practice Thursday. On Saturday, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac went to the medical tent and did not return after going down on a run play late in the fourth quarter. When asked about Isaac after the game, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said the issue was “kind of cramping up and stuff so we’ll have to see how he feels tomorrow.” The third-round draft pick out of Penn State walked off the field under his own power but eventually headed to the locker room before the end of Baltimore’s 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He was not made available to the media postgame. With three minutes to go, Falcons running back Spencer Brown took a handoff toward the left side when tight end John FitzPatrick undercut Isaac’s right leg. Isaac had shown promise in his Ravens debut before the hit. He finished with four total tackles (the team’s fifth most), two of which were solo. He also played on special teams. “He was a factor,” Harbaugh said. “Rushing the passer and the run game. He’s a big guy. He’s explosive. He’s not as far along as David [Ojabo] is as far as the condition part of it because he had the hamstring [injury]. He’s gonna be sore tomorrow, I’m quite sure. “Hopefully we can get him back in time for next week just because that’s tough, to get out there and play in a real game with that kind of explosiveness, that kind of speed and it’s hot out there, without as much conditioning. So I do worry about that a little bit with him, but I’m happy about the way he played, he sure looked good.” Inside linebacker Trenton Simpson wore the green dot Saturday, meaning first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr was in his ear communicating each defensive play call. Simpson loved Isaac’s eagerness from his first snap. “That speed, that tenacity and that young motor — I’m excited for him,” Simpson said. “It’s been awesome because he’s so willing to learn and he’s just hoping to grow. … He’s gonna have a great future ahead of him.” The Ravens’ win came down to a goal line stand in the waning minute. After the Falcons drove 80 yards on 11 plays for a touchdown, capped by running back Jase McClellan’s 3-yard run up the middle with 36 seconds left, Atlanta went for two since there are no overtime periods in the preseason. Falcons quarterback John Paddock again handed the ball off to McClellan, but outside linebacker Tavius Robinson burst off the line untouched for a game-saving tackle. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Risers and fallers: Josh Johnson, David Ojabo stand out in Ravens’ 13-12 preseason win over Falcons Baltimore Ravens | Ravens announcer Gerry Sandusky apologizes after criticizing chain gang in preseason game Baltimore Ravens | Orioles encourage fans not to show up early Saturday to avoid ‘parking challenges’ with Ravens Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Answering questions about backup QBs, offensive line and biggest surprises Baltimore Ravens | Making the case for Ravens QB Josh Johnson as a reasonable backup to Lamar Jackson | ANALYSIS It would have been Isaac in that spot had he not gone down. Even though Robinson subbed in for the burgeoning Isaac, the 2023 fourth-round pick noticed both during Saturday’s game and throughout training camp the potential for Isaac to be a legitimate contributor among the Ravens’ pass rush group. “He plays relentless,” Robinson said. “I think he’s a dawg. Seeing him in camp, the way he runs to the ball, seeing how physical he is, how we strive to play up front, he’s got that. He’s gonna be a great addition to our D-line for sure.” Pass rush coach Chuck Smith first got wind of Isaac when Penn State “beat the brakes” out of Auburn on Sept. 17, 2022. Smith said earlier this week that Isaac’s explosiveness and power jumped off the page. “[We] wanted someone that can fit in, has the right mindset that can work in a team, because the team is kind of like a puzzle,” Smith said. “All the pieces have got to fit, and our room has got to be like that as well. I like Adisa. He’s out there just getting started. It’s exciting to see him do some good things.” View the full article

View the full article

The preseason is when offenses struggle to find a rhythm. That’s especially true when the Ravens aren’t playing their starters, as they did for the second straight week. Still, Baltimore’s offense, for at least the first half, was much better than a week ago and had its moments in a 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons on a warm but overcast Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium. Notably, quarterback Josh Johnson had a near-perfect passer rating and led Baltimore to its only touchdown drive of the first half in the second quarter. But that was only part of what stood out for the Ravens, who ended their three-game preseason losing streak. Who stood out Quarterback Josh Johnson: A week after completing just four passes in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles, Johnson connected on that many on one drive, leading to the Ravens’ lone touchdown of the first half. Three passes in particular stood out, with the 38-year-old veteran hitting receiver Malik Cunningham for 13 yards to convert on fourth-and-2 from the 50-yard line, then nicely leading receiver Tylan Wallace over the middle for what ended up being a 31-yard gain to the Falcons’ 5. Three players later, Johnson hit running back Owen Wright on a short play-action pass for the 6-yard score. Earlier in the game, Johnson also connected with Keith Kirkwood for a 26-yard gain with a zippy throw on a deep out. Johnson ended the day perfect, completing 11 of 11 passes to eight targets for 120 yards and a touchdown in the first half. He also had a nice 8-yard scramble. Baltimore Ravens DB Beau Brade is hit by Falcons OL John Leglue after getting his hands on the ball in the second half of pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium. The play was deemed to be an incomplete pass to an Atlanta receiver. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens WR Dayton Wade makes a catch ahead of Falcons CB Anthony Johnson and takes it into the end zone during the second half of in a pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens WR Dayton Wade runs the ball into the end zone ahead of Falcons CB Anthony Johnson in the second half of a pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens TE Riley Sharp lifts WR Dayton Wade after he scored against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half of a pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke is tackled by Ravens WLB Trenton Simpsonin the first half of a pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens WR Dayton Wade gestures after scoring in the second half of a pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens WR Dayton Wade runs the ball into the end zone ahead of Falcons CB Anthony Johnson in the second half of a pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Atlanta Falcons safety Lukas Denis #41 and inside linebacker Milo Eifler pursue Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace for a second down during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Atlanta Falcons safety Tre Tarpley III, Baltimore Ravens place holder Jordan Stout and kicker Justin Tucker watch his point after try against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh holds the challenge flag as the bench signal for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens running back Owen Wright reaches for the end zone to score a touchdown during Saturday's preseason game against the Falcons. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens QB Josh Johnson before a pre-season game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Ravens QB Devin Leary warms up before a pre-season game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Ravens LS Nick Moore and kicker Justin Tucker before a pre-season game against the Atlanta Falcons for at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Jordan Stout receives the ball from LS Nick Moore as Justin Tucker prepares to kick as they warm up before a pre-season game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Ravens Justin Tucker watches his kick as he warms up for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Jordan Stout prepares to place the ball for kicker Justin Tucker as they warm up before a pre-season game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens coach Sam Koch talks with punter Jordan Stout during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Emory Jones drops back between quarterback Devin Leary and wide receiver Keith Kirkwood during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens punter Jack Browning during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerbacks Trayvon Mullen #30, Damarion Williams #24, Ka'dar Hollman #25, Bump Cooper Jr. and T.J. Tampa stretch during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who had been involved in a rollover crash several days ago stands on the sidelines during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who had been involved in a rollover crash several days ago stands on the sidelines during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who had been involved in a rollover crash several days ago stands on the sidelines during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Show Caption1 of 24Baltimore Ravens DB Beau Brade is hit by Falcons OL John Leglue after getting his hands on the ball in the second half of pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium. The play was deemed to be an incomplete pass to an Atlanta receiver. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Expand Inside linebacker Trenton Simpson: There’s never been any question about Simpson’s speed, and he showed it off against the Falcons. On Atlanta’s opening possession, the 2023 third-round draft pick rushed Taylor Heinicke on third-and-11 and got a quarterback hit, helping force an incompletion with Jalyn Armour-Davis breaking up the pass on the other end. Simpson also had a tackle for loss, nabbing running back Jase McClellan in the backfield, and made a nice open-field tackle on Heinicke on third-and-9 one play later to keep the Falcons well short of the first down. Lastly, and just as he has all training camp, Simpson showed good skills in pass coverage, which included a pass breakup on tight end John FitzPatrick. Outside linebacker David Ojabo: After not being cleared by doctors for last week’s opener against the Eagles despite practicing all week, Ojabo made his preseason debut and didn’t disappoint. After showing good burst, power and consistently being in the backfield in practice all week, the 2022 second-round pick carried those same traits to the game. On the stat sheet, he was credited with just one quarterback hit, but he was bothersome and disruptive on a handful of occasions and showed off his bend when it came to getting around the edge. That’s an encouraging sign for a player who is not only just nine months removed from ACL surgery but will be expected to be a significant contributor to the Ravens’ pass rush. Wide receiver Anthony Miller: The 29-year-old veteran has been with the Ravens for only a week but has continued to make plays both in practice and now in his first game action. First, he worked his way open for an 8-yard catch on third-and-4 from his own 25 late in the first quarter. One play later, he snagged another ball for a 2-yard gain. Then he made a short catch for a 6-yard gain before being shoved out of bounds. Three catches on three targets is a solid start for a player who could push to make the 53-man roster if rookie fourth-round pick Devontez Walker ends up starting the season on injured reserve. Walker, who missed practice Thursday, did not have a catch and played on special teams. Who didn’t stand out Guard-center Ben Cleveland: It already seems that Cleveland has fallen by the wayside in the competition for the starting right guard spot with the Ravens continuing to give Daniel Faalele first-team snaps there, as they did again Saturday. Cleveland didn’t help himself at backup center, either. With the Ravens on the move in the second quarter and facing a third-and-2 from the Falcons’ 22, Cleveland snapped the ball clear over Johnson’s head as the quarterback was still signaling the play. A 2021 third-round pick who is now in his fourth year, the expectation was that Cleveland would be a dependable starter, but that just hasn’t been the case. He played well when he was on the field last season, and he’ll likely make the 53-man roster, but he stood out for the wrong reason Saturday. Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson: The 6-foot-6, 262-pound second-year edge rusher has the physical makeup of a player who should be a contributor off the bench. Too often, however, he’s struggled to get off blocks and therefore did not get to the quarterback or have much of an impact. Robinson finished with a pair of tackles, but too often was late to the play. The saving grace for the 2023 fourth-round pick, however, was that he stuffed McClellan on the Falcons’ 2-point conversion attempt with under a minute to play to seal the victory. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens announcer Gerry Sandusky apologizes after criticizing chain gang in preseason game Baltimore Ravens | Orioles encourage fans not to show up early Saturday to avoid ‘parking challenges’ with Ravens Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Answering questions about backup QBs, offensive line and biggest surprises Baltimore Ravens | Making the case for Ravens QB Josh Johnson as a reasonable backup to Lamar Jackson | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on a light, abbreviated practice that included Nate Wiggins’ return Quarterback Devin Leary: The Ravens’ third-string quarterback played only sparingly and did not impress in the short time he was on the field. A week after he had a some receivers running the wrong routes, Leary completed just one of three passes on a drive late in the second quarter — and Dayton Wade did most of the work on the 11-yard play — before being replaced by Emory Jones at the start of the second half. Jones later connected with Wade for a 56-yard touchdown pass after the undrafted receiver made a nice double move to get free down the left sideline. Leary returned late in the fourth quarter but finished just 3-for-5 with 24 yards. Offensive line: Ravens running backs had just 71 yards on 30 carries, and while Wright and Chris Collier shoulder some of the blame, they often had little in the way of holes to run through. It was telling, for example, that right tackle Roger Rosengarten, right guard Faalele and center Cleveland were all on the field to open the second half after Rosengarten and Faalele started the game. The rest of Saturday’s starting offensive line, including Josh Jones at left tackle, Andrew Vorhees at left guard and Patrick Mekari at center, was shoved around some and lacked the kind of push to open up running lanes. View the full article

Baltimore sportscaster Gerry Sandusky apologized Saturday for his criticism of NFL sideline officials during the Ravens’ preseason opener last week. During Baltimore’s 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 9, Sandusky, calling the play-by-play for WBAL-TV, took issue with the two-person chain gang, which marks the down and distance with a set of bright orange markers 10 yards apart. After Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee tried to pick up a first down on a sneak in the fourth quarter, the chains were brought out for a measurement, drawing Sandusky’s ire. “This is one of the things — as you look at the replay, think about this,” Sandusky said. “We have the technology to put a GPS tracker on Mars. But we still use a bunch of older guys on the sideline with sticks to measure whether a ball carrier got a first down or not. Nothing against the older guys with sticks.” After the measurement, officials signaled that McKee picked up the first down, giving the Eagles a first-and-10 on their own 49-yard line with 2:45 to play. As the TV cameras focused on one of the members of the chain gang running back to the sideline, Sandusky took a moment to comment on the official’s physical appearance. “It just seems absurd that in a game where they have GPS trackers on player’s shoulder pads, they have 19 different levels of algorithms to measure everything in the NFL we still use guys with glasses who are no longer what you’d call physically fit trotting out a pair of sticks to measure first downs,” Sandusky said. The drive ended with a missed 50-yard field goal attempt by kicker Jake Elliott with 21 seconds left that would have given Philadelphia the lead, but the Eagles forced a fumble on the first play of the Ravens’ next possession and recovered the ball before kicking a game-winning 49-yard field goal as time expired. The following day, Sandusky posted an apology on X, formerly Twitter. “In last nights Ravens broadcast I commented on the use of a chain gang instead of technology on measurements. I did not intend to demean any individual,” he wrote. “I apologize to the members of the chain gang for what I said. I recognize they are doing an important job as professionals.” On Saturday, just before the Ravens and Atlanta Falcons kicked off their second preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium, Sandusky also apologized on air on WBAL. “During last week’s preseason game while referencing the lack of technology for marking first downs, I made comments about the chain gang that I should not have made,” he said. “‘For that, I am sorry. To all members of the chain gang, thank you for your dedication to youth, high school, college and professional sports. Please accept my apology. Your contribution to football at all levels is appreciated and valued.” Last month, the Associated Press reported that the NFL is moving closer to replacing the chain gang with new technology to measure line to gain. NFL executive Gary Brantley told the AP that the league will test Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology during some preseason games, but the system most likely wouldn’t be ready for full implementation until next season. Sandusky, a Towson University graduate who has anchored sports coverage at WBAL-TV since 1988, is the Ravens’ radio play-by-play announcer. During the preseason, he serves as the Ravens’ play-by-play man on WBAL’s television broadcasts. The Baltimore County resident is a two-time Emmy award winner and has also won two Edward R. Murrow awards. View the full article

Saturday will be a busy one on the Baltimore sports calendar, and with that comes traffic concerns. The Ravens will host the Atlanta Falcons in their second preseason game at noon at M&T Bank Stadium, while the Orioles play the Boston Red Sox at 7 p.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. “To avoid any parking challenges between the games, fans are encouraged not to show up earlier than when lots or gates open for the Orioles game,” the Orioles said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. Lots for the Orioles game will open at 4 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m. According to the teams, fans attending both games will be permitted to stay in their purchased parking location by showing both passes to the parking attendant when they arrive. They must have a permit for both games in the same parking lot. There are three state-owned parking lots that sit between Oriole Park and M&T Bank Stadium. The parking lots are part of roughly 85 acres that compose the Camden Yards complex. This season, the Orioles are averaging 27,668 fans per home game, while the Ravens don’t typically draw a full crowd at their 71,000-seat stadium for preseason games. The Orioles and Ravens have clashed in the past when it comes to overlapping events. Notably, the teams were unable to strike a compromise in 2013 when the NFL hoped the Ravens would open the season at M&T Bank Stadium on a night when the Orioles had a home game scheduled in their nearby stadium. The Ravens became the first reigning Super Bowl champion to open on the road since 2003, losing to the Denver Broncos. In October, gridlock that some feared amid twin events held at Oriole Park and M&T Bank Stadium came to fruition, stranding drivers on streets surrounding the complex long after Stevie Nicks took the stage to perform. Tickets to see Nicks along with singer Billy Joel at the Ravens’ stadium went on sale months before the Orioles clinched the American League East, ensuring that the team would host a postseason game at Camden Yards on the same date. Organizers pushed up the start of the Orioles game to 1 p.m. in hopes of clearing the stadiums’ shared tract in time for the concert’s 7 p.m. start. That gap proved to be too little time for many who chose to drive to the stadium, especially with a rain delay pushing the first pitch to 2:15 p.m. View the full article

The NFL season is almost here. On Saturday, the Ravens host the Atlanta Falcons in their second preseason game. After a final tune-up in Green Bay and a much-anticipated season opener in Kansas City, the next time Baltimore takes the field at M&T Bank Stadium will be its home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 15. There’s still much to be decided until then, including the Ravens’ final 53-man roster ahead of the Aug. 27 cut-down deadline. Only two more preseason games and a handful of practices remain for veterans to sharpen their skills and roster hopefuls to make their final case. Baltimore Sun reporters Brian Wacker and Childs Walker and columnist Mike Preston answer questions about what to watch against Atlanta, the backup quarterback situation, the battle for starting spots on the offensive line and the biggest surprises thus far. What are you most interested in watching when the Ravens play the Falcons? Wacker: Will outside linebacker David Ojabo play? And will the wide receiver group make an impact? Ojabo wasn’t cleared by doctors for the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, though he has been practicing — not an unusual circumstance for a player working his way back from ACL surgery nine months ago. But he needs game reps at some point after being injured essentially all of his first two years in the NFL. Those would preferably come in the preseason as part of the continued ramp up to see how quick he is off the edge and how effective his moves are. As for the receivers, there are question marks beyond the top three of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor along with tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Rookie fourth-round draft pick Devontez Walker, who has been dealing with rib issue, has been a nonfactor in training camp. Tylan Wallace has been steady but is valued more for his special teams ability and only has seven career catches over three seasons. Sean Ryan, Keith Kirkwood, Malik Cunningham and Dayton Wade, among others, are practice-squad caliber at best, though newly added Anthony Miller has shown juice in practice. If that continues, Miller could push to make 53-man roster if Walker, for example, starts the season on injured reserve. Walker: Is Ojabo cleared to play and will he look explosive coming off the edge? Doctors did not give the third-year outside linebacker, who’s returning from ACL surgery, the nod to play last week against the Eagles. But he has flashed in recent practices, highlighted by a strip-sack on Lamar Jackson. Ojabo needs productive game reps to get his career untracked after serious injuries wiped out most of his first two seasons. The Ravens are counting on him to help mitigate the loss of Jadeveon Clowney. They and he would love that forward motion to begin sooner rather than later. Preston: The Ravens aren’t a complete team yet. They are hampered by the same problems they’ve had for the past couple of years, with the exception of last season. They need to develop a consistent pass rush from their outside linebackers, a group that includes Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Ojabo and Tavius Robinson. On the flip side, I want to see more rhythm and cohesiveness from the offensive line. Before Wednesday, I thought the running game would be in great shape, but after offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris was hospitalized with an illness, I’m not quite as confident. Pass protection has been a problem for this team over the past five years, and it’s suspect again. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on. Josh Johnson and the rest of the backup quarterbacks struggled against the Eagles. Should the Ravens consider adding a veteran free agent? Wacker: The problem is it’s easier said than done. Given Jackson’s contract, and soon needing to pay big money to other players such as All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, the Ravens simply can’t afford to invest any real money for a backup. Johnson isn’t any worse than former No. 2 Tyler Huntley. Meanwhile, free agent Ryan Tannehill, who played with Ravens running back Derrick Henry on the Tennessee Titans, would have a better chance of getting on the field with another team. Johnson, as bad as he has been, at least knows the offense and has a good relationship with Jackson. Their best option would be to continue to draft a quarterback every year or perhaps trade a late-round pick for another backup who would be only marginally better than Johnson. Walker: The Ravens made an offseason choice to stick with Johnson, whom they and Jackson trust, instead of using precious cap space on a more decorated backup. One disjointed preseason game — let’s face it, not many of them are pretty — should not change their calculation. Given Jackson’s salary, they can’t spend on all facets of the roster, and even with a more expensive backup, they’d probably be doomed by a significant injury to their franchise quarterback. It’s a reasonable spot at which to embrace a bargain solution, even if a Johnson-led Ravens offense wouldn’t be a work of art. Meanwhile, they need to keep drafting young quarterbacks with later-round picks, as they did with Devin Leary this year, and see if one of them sticks. Preston: Johnson showed me little against the Eagles. In fact, for a player who has been in and out of the NFL since 2009, he looked lethargic and hesitant in his decision-making. The 38-year-old wasn’t very effective during the several days Jackson missed early in training camp. If Jackson goes down, Johnson isn’t the answer. The Ravens should keep an eye on what is going on in Cleveland. The Browns have Deshaun Watson listed as the starter with Jameis Winston at No. 2 followed by former Raven Tyler Huntley and second-year player Dorian Thompson-Robinson. If the Browns release one of them, the Ravens should pick them up. Winston or Huntley would be fine additions. Huntley already knows the offense, having been the backup here last season under then first-year coordinator Todd Monken. Patrick Mekari has experience on his side in the battle to start at right tackle, but the Ravens like his versatility as a sixth man. (Amy Davis/Staff) Is it clear who should start at both guard spots and right tackle, or is more time needed? Wacker: The Ravens likely won’t make an official decision on these positions until perhaps as late as after the third preseason game, but the race largely looks over. Andrew Vorhees was fine at left guard against the Eagles in the preseason opener and doesn’t seem to have anyone challenging him. Baltimore seems to be content with sticking with the massive Daniel Faalele at right guard over Ben Cleveland. At right tackle, Patrick Mekari is the best option in the vacuum of a singular game, but the Ravens prefer him as a sixth-man plug-and-play option off the bench anywhere along the line. That makes Roger Rosengarten, who was solid against the Eagles, the favorite, and as such he’ll get an increase in snaps against the Falcons. Walker: Vorhees wasn’t great in the preseason opener but seems to have a grip on left guard. The other two spots are far from set. The Ravens seem determined to continue the Faalele experiment at right guard, and he played fairly well against the Eagles, especially as a run blocker. Another solid performance against Atlanta might solidify him as the favorite given coaches’ apparent reluctance to go with Cleveland. Rosengarten and Mekari are waging the most interesting position battle on the team at right tackle. Mekari would start if the Ravens had to win a playoff game next week, but the Ravens probably still prefer him in a super-utility role. Rosengarten held his own against the Eagles and will get more snaps against Atlanta. The rookie would help this group’s depth if he seizes the job and allows Mekari to rove. Preston: More time will be needed, but it all starts once center Tyler Linderbaum returns from injury. When that happens, the guess here is that Mekari starts at right tackle and Vorhees become the permanent starter at left guard. Mekari has more experience than Rosengarten, and that should help in the season opener against Kansas City. Faalele appears to be the starting right guard, even though his technique can be sloppy at times. Regardless, this offensive line needs time to jell. That might not happen until Week 4 or 5 of the regular season. Who or what has been the biggest surprise so far during training camp and preseason? Wacker: Two players have stood out for different reasons: veteran offensive lineman Josh Jones and undrafted rookie tight end Qadir Ismail. Jones, a 2020 third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, has played every position up front except center and appeared in 60 games, including 24 starts. Yet he hasn’t been in competition for any of the three openings and has barely even been mentioned by coaches. He played 30 snaps against the Eagles and drew an 80.6 mark for his run blocking and 63.9 grade for pass blocking from Pro Football Focus, but otherwise seems destined for a backup role. Ismail, meanwhile, had only slightly more catches (16) than games played (14) in his two years at Samford, yet he has shined consistently throughout training camp for a player with such a limited college resume. At 6 feet 6, he’s tall and rangy and has made several terrific catches. He’s also been a surprisingly good blocker in coach John Harbaugh’s eyes. He won’t make the 53-man roster, but he’s a fascinating prospect. Walker: Ismail, son of former Ravens wide receiver and Baltimore institution Qadry, seemed the epitome of a nice camp story when the Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Samford. But the 6-foot-6 pass catcher has made so many plays this summer, with his proud dad watching every step, that he feels like a strong candidate to stick on the practice squad. Given his huge frame and willingness to block, Ismail is an interesting developmental prospect at tight end. The team’s top offensive players, Jackson included, see something in him. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Making the case for Ravens QB Josh Johnson as a reasonable backup to Lamar Jackson | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on a light, abbreviated practice that included Nate Wiggins’ return Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 15, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | With tumultuous college career behind him, Ravens rookie Devontez Walker finally plays free Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Harbaugh on Mark Andrews car accident | VIDEO Preston: There have been no big surprises, only some minor ones. Running back Derrick Henry has shown some speed to the outside, which bodes well for the running game. I thought receiver Rashod Bateman would show more, especially after he got a contract extension in the offseason, but he still can’t escape the injury bug and hasn’t developed much chemistry with Jackson. Defensively, the secondary has been outstanding, and it’s going to be interesting to see which players make the roster. I wasn’t impressed with the defensive line and how the Eagles handled that group in the first preseason game. Of course, the Ravens were playing without end Justin Madubuike and middle linebacker Roquan Smith, but they did have Travis Jones and Broderick Washington on the field. That effort was embarrassing. It was a preseason game, but there is still the pride factor. What did you learn about the new kickoff rules now that you’ve seen it in action? Wacker: The aesthetics are going to take some getting used to. Beyond that, there should be a lot more action surrounding the play, though it doesn’t seem to lend itself to big or exciting returns. Don’t be surprised if the league tweaks it further. Remember, it’s only in place for this season and will get voted on again. Walker: That the play looks downright weird to anyone who’s spent a lifetime watching pro football? It’s still difficult to draw any sweeping conclusions about a rule change that will certainly lead to more returns but perhaps not to more thrilling plays. Harbaugh, who knows and cares as much about special teams as any coach, seems concerned about how the new kickoff, with so much chaos unfolding at once, will be officiated. That’s not a great sign. Preston: The new kickoff is nothing other than a running play. I expected more. If the returner can hit the hole quickly and make one cut, there is a chance he might break it open, but there is so much congestion at the point of attack. It looks like the NFL wanted to add some excitement with the return, but there isn’t a lot to it. I have been disappointed so far. View the full article

Josh Johnson offers a steady hand at the right price. The Ravens know many of their rivals, including the three other teams in the AFC North, have invested in younger, more decorated backup quarterbacks who have started games more recently than the 38-year-old Johnson. Baltimore kicked the tires on the reserve market in the offseason but did not find the value it wanted, so it’s Johnson, with nine NFL starts for 14 teams over the past 16 years, who’s next in line behind reigning league Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson. One turn of Jackson’s ankle and pro football’s ultimate nomad could be at the controls of a Super Bowl contender. That reality has unsettled Ravens fans who watched Johnson complete 4 of 12 passes for 62 yards in the team’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Suddenly, Johnson, the No. 3 quarterback behind Tyler Huntley last season, is a popular subject of local football chatter. Not that it’s going to bother him, given all he’s seen. “That’s part of playing in the National Football League,” he said after practice Thursday. “People love you if it’s working. If it ain’t working, they’re gonna criticize you. Lamar is one of the greatest quarterbacks, and people still got the nerve to criticize him, so me being who I am, do I think they’re not going to criticize me?” Did the Ravens make the right choice sticking with a guy they trust for the low, low price of $1.15 million? Or should they call a late audible and pursue one of the prominent quarterbacks still available, led by longtime Tennessee Titans starter Ryan Tannehill? Understand that they went through a deliberate, rational thought process on this issue. First, they decided Huntley, their primary backup the past three seasons, didn’t play well enough to justify the expense of keeping him over or in addition to Johnson. Then, they surveyed the market and concluded the $4 million or so required for a premium backup might leave them hamstrung at a different position. Finally, they settled on a hybrid strategy: trust the veteran Johnson for the short term and use a lower-round draft pick on a quarterback, in this case Devin Leary, who might stick after a developmental year. Ravens rookie quarterback Devin Leary passes while Josh Johnson, left, and Emory Jones watch during training camp. The Ravens drafted Leary in the sixth round as a development project. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The Ravens won’t go deep in the playoffs without Jackson anyway — a reality that hit home when Huntley and Johnson had to start games down the stretch in 2021 and 2022 — so why waste precious cap space on an insurance policy? Johnson is the no-frills plan, but he has virtues. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken laid them out Tuesday: “Josh does a tremendous job of being ready. He’s the consummate pro — that’s why he’s been in the NFL for so long. He gets what we want to do, [and] he has a great feel for where we are and where we need to get to. I think he’s a great sounding board for Lamar and for us.” The last point is important. When a team has a franchise quarterback, part of the backup’s job is to maintain a solid bond with the superstar. “That’s like big bro to me,” Jackson said of Johnson. “He’s been around the league so long, he’s very, very intelligent. He’s a very smart guy. Even though he’s not the starter, he knows what he’s talking about and knows what he’s seeing. Certain things that I’m seeing on the field, he’s already on it. I can gravitate with that. I can learn something from that, and that’s a great guy to learn from.” Jackson was also close to Huntley, but they were contemporaries. Johnson, who was drafted a decade before him (the same year as Joe Flacco), is a font of wisdom. As Monken said, there’s a reason so many teams, including the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, wanted him around. “My job is to support him in any way possible,” Johnson said of Jackson. “Owners have general managers. Presidents have people who handle the things that they can’t, and for me in my situation with [Lamar], just bringing my knowledge from being around the NFL so long, bringing that value every day, is very important, because, mentally, there’s a lot going on. Just to being able to reflect ideas, thoughts, processes off one another, I think that’s very important.” He also has to see the game through Jackson’s eyes, so he’ll prepared to run the offense that has been designed around No. 8. Johnson said the relationship works because “we’ve just got similar stories in how we experience life. When we just share our personal stories with one another, it’s very relatable. We connect in so many ways on how we see things.” Recall, too, that Johnson produced — 28 of 40 for 304 yards and two touchdowns — the one time the Ravens started him in a December 2021 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. That’s not to dismiss the Ravens’ offensive struggles with Johnson at the helm early in training camp or in the preseason opener. But they don’t have a better candidate on the roster. Leary, their sixth-round pick out of Kentucky, has made nifty throws here and there, but the Ravens would prefer to stash him on the practice squad and see if he grows into something. If Leary doesn’t seem like a future backup candidate after this season, they’ll continue to draft quarterbacks and hope one sticks. You never know how a top backup might arrive. Jake Browning was an undrafted Minnesota Vikings discard when the Bengals signed him to their practice squad in 2021. They kept him around for two years until he won the No. 2 job behind Joe Burrow before last season. After Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in November, Browning stepped in and nearly led Cincinnati to the playoffs, completing 70.4% of his passes with 12 touchdowns in seven starts. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on a light, abbreviated practice that included Nate Wiggins’ return Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 15, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | With tumultuous college career behind him, Ravens rookie Devontez Walker finally plays free Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Harbaugh on Mark Andrews car accident | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 14, 2024 | PHOTOS The AFC North presents a fascinating case study in differing approaches to the backup conundrum. The Pittsburgh Steelers, still searching for a true heir to Ben Roethlisberger, essentially added two starters. Veteran Russell Wilson will begin the season as their No. 1, but they also traded for three-year starter Justin Fields in March, and the 2021 first-round pick could take the job at any time. Fields, who will cost $3.2 million against the cap, isn’t much more expensive than Johnson, but he’ll be a free agent after this season, so he’s not the developmental asset he might seem to be on the surface. The Cleveland Browns, with an expensive, unreliable starter in Deshaun Watson, signed Jameis Winston, who’s started 80 NFL games, and Huntley in the offseason. Winston agreed to a $4 million deal with void years, Huntley to a $1.29 million deal, so Cleveland is spending considerably more on its backups than the Ravens. For now, Johnson remains confident that his vast experience — younger teammates never let him forget how long he’s been around — will help him help Jackson. He doesn’t often pause during the season to contemplate how long he’s survived in this cutthroat world, but he does get a kick out of being the wise man in the room. “When you’re young, everything’s an unknown,” he said. “You’ve got to rebuild that rapport each year, but having those experiences, it brings a sense of calm to your mind.” Baltimore Sun reporter Brian Wacker contributed to this article. View the full article

With one preseason game under their belt and heading into a day off before their second, the Ravens had a relatively light, abbreviated practice on Thursday. Much of the padless defense operated at half-speed, inflating the offensive output. And there appeared to be an extra sense of levity to individual drills. Quarterback Lamar Jackson got off to a hot start in 11-on-11 action, completing his first four passes. Three went to Tylan Wallace for medium-distance pickups. The other was a post route to Zay Flowers, who burst off the right side and beat cornerback Marlon Humphrey over the middle for a touchdown. The offense cooled off in the middle portion under Jackson’s control. He looked for Isaiah Likely in the end zone but found the outstretched hands of linebacker Deion Jennings, who dropped the potential interception. Linebacker Yvandy Rigby bobbled a throw from Jackson before hauling in his pick, also in the end zone, on a pass intended for Anthony Miller. Undrafted rookie Bump Cooper Jr. later forced an incompletion draped over Malik Cunningham. Cooper nearly picked off backup Josh Johnson later in practice on a ball he should have caught. Ignoring a few would-be sacks and one pass interference call, Jackson wrapped on a high note with a string of red zone completions. That included a pair of touchdowns to Likely and Flowers to end practice. The Ravens host the Atlanta Falcons at noon Saturday for their final home preseason game, and Jackson isn’t going to play. Next week, Baltimore travels to Green Bay for some joint practices before they face the Packers in the third preseason game, the final tuneup before the regular-season opener Sept. 5 against the Chiefs in Kansas City. Wiggins, Mullen return Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins returned to practice Thursday after suffering a shoulder injury during last week’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was an immediate bright spot, breaking up three passes during the game’s opening drive, but exited in the third quarter. The first-round draft pick sprinted alone with a trainer Wednesday but did not participate with the team. He returned a day later wearing a padded brace on his injured shoulder. Wiggins did participate in some 11-on-11 action Thursday. On a string of plays during his first series, his side of the field was rather quiet. He later surrendered a pair of catches. More positive injury updates: Cornerback Trayvon Mullen was back taking full-team reps for the first time since returning from his shoulder injury earlier in camp. Two players on the fringe impress Undrafted rooked tight end Qadir Ismail had perhaps the play of the day, hauling in a pass from Johnson with a full-body extension in the back right corner of the end zone. Safety Ar’Darius Washington — who has had an impressive camp — was a step behind in coverage. Miller also continues to show good juice and could challenge for a back-end spot on the roster if fellow receiver Devontez Walker, who was absent Thursday and has been dealing with a rib issue, ends up on injured reserve to start the season. Tampa’s early exit (again) T.J. Tampa made his training camp debut Monday after recovering from a sports hernia injury that previously put the cornerback to the physically unable to perform list. Baltimore’s late-fourth-round pick, who many considered to be a steal at that point in the draft, has been ramping up each day this week, having gone through individual drills before heading inside at the start of 11-on-11 action. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Making the case for Ravens QB Josh Johnson as a reasonable backup to Lamar Jackson | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 15, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | With tumultuous college career behind him, Ravens rookie Devontez Walker finally plays free Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Harbaugh on Mark Andrews car accident | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 14, 2024 | PHOTOS Tucker’s growing repertoire Has Justin Tucker added kicks to his repertoire in light of the new kickoff formation? “No doubt,” senior special teams coach Randy Brown said. “It’s 80 [degrees] and sunny out today. But what do we do if it’s 30? We’ve been at [M&T Bank Stadium] when it’s 30 and the 30 mph wind is coming out of that far corner? He’s creating scenarios where that’s what he’s practicing now. That’s the one thing we don’t know what’s gonna happen with this play.” Tucker said by Week 1 they’ll have eight or nine types of kicks. “For it being a large area to land the ball in,” Tucker said, “you still have to be pretty articulate, pretty detailed with where you’re placing the ball.” View the full article

Aug 15, 2024: OLB Tavius Robinson during Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) From left, Brandon Stephens, T.J. Tampa Jr and Eddie Jackson celebrate completing a drill during Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Aug 15, 2024: Baltimore Ravens running back Chris Collier during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Aug 15, 2024: Baltimore Ravens running back John Kelly during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Chris Collier during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Aug 15, 2024: Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Aug 15, 2024: Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and RB Justice Hill during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and RB Chris Collier during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and RB Justice Hill during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson runs onto the field for training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Aug 15, 2024: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) View the full article

Sweltering July afternoons in the South Florida heat provided Devontez Walker a moment to reflect. The rookie wide receiver spent a week this offseason training with Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers and more of his teammates in the weeks leading up to Ravens training camp. Walker, like he was in college, wants to be his new quarterback’s most trusted deep threat. Jackson pushed Walker’s limits, heaving balls as far as he could to see just how long the new tandem’s connection could reach. “He was putting it out there to see if I could go get it, even while I was tired,” Walker told The Baltimore Sun. “Him seeing that is why he trusts me.” Each completed throw brought him closer to that goal. It was also the first time Walker felt he belonged with his new squad. Belonging has mostly eluded the 23-year-old in his football journey. He spent time at three colleges and became the face of transfer portal disputes during a fierce fight for eligibility with the NCAA. Along with injuries and family challenges, he sometimes felt he took on his toughest challenges alone. That chapter of Walker’s life, full of twists and uncertainty, is closed. He’ll begin a new one when his rookie season with the Ravens starts next month. When that comes, he’ll finally just play football. “I’ve been playing my whole life. Now, I’m able to just do it freely,” Walker said. “I’m living my dream now.” Fighting for a spot Walker’s path to playing time in Baltimore will be difficult. He’s behind Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and potentially others in a crowded wide receiver room. The Ravens broke camp last season with six receivers. They’ve signed two veterans since the start of camp, and they’ve waived one of their draft picks each of the past three seasons. Walker’s spot won’t be guaranteed, a reality he understands and one that pushed him to find other ways onto the field. Walker is playing more special teams than he ever did in college. He recalls taking only one snap as a gunner on Kent State’s punt coverage unit, whereas now he devotes a large portion of practices to perfecting kickoff coverage responsibilities. “I feel like I’m doing pretty good, adjusting well,” Walker said. “[Special teams] is kinda new to me. If you’re not that second or third guy at your position, you’re gonna be on special teams. If that’s my way of getting on the field, then that’s what it is.” Devontez Walker’s summer has been imperfect. That’s a circumstance he’s familiar with. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Walker has been limited with a rib injury as of late, coach John Harbaugh said this week. The receiver was targeted just once, an uncatchable pass from rookie Devin Leary, in Baltimore’s preseason opener, and Walker has worked with the first- or second-team offense sparingly in recent practices. Harbaugh expects his opportunities to ramp up soon. “I’d like to see him go out there and take a lot more reps and see what he can do,” the coach said. The 6-foot-3 receiver averaged 17 yards per reception with North Carolina last season. That would have led the Ravens — the next closest returning receiver was Bateman at 11.5 yards per catch. Although training camp hasn’t been as clear as Walker hoped, occasional highlight completions show flashes of the deep threat he can be. He still has time to get acclimated, put his minor injury behind him, and impress as he did in Florida last month. Those extra days with Jackson are an advantage he has over most other receivers fighting for the same roster spots. Walker’s summer has been imperfect. That’s a circumstance he’s familiar with. ‘I thought it was over’ Walker tore his ACL the day after he signed with East Tennessee State as a high school senior. Then, one week before he was set to move onto campus in July 2019, the school rescinded his scholarship offer. ETSU first called West Charlotte coach Josh Harris hoping he’d break the news to Walker. Harris refused, then received an emotional call from Walker five minutes later. “That hurt,” Harris told The Baltimore Sun in a phone interview. “That hurt all of us.” Walker is the first player Harris has ever coached to reach the NFL. Harris, now an assistant athletic director at another Charlotte-area school, was at M&T Bank Stadium on Friday for Walker’s preseason debut — five years after that trajectory-altering injury. Harris offered his usual feedback over dinner Saturday night at Nick’s Fish House in South Baltimore, but both are quick to note their relationship extends beyond football. “We’re family,” Harris said. “It started out as just coaching, but now we’re literally family.” Walker’s ACL tear kicked off a lengthy recovery process. He worked at Bojangles, a fast-food restaurant, to pay for the surgery and rehabilitation. Whenever doubts crept in, Harris reminded Walker of a conversation they had after a practice. The coach asked his player what his goals were. They were, of course, the NFL. If that was true, Harris said, Walker’s chase had to be unrelenting. “If your goal is to go to the NFL, I shouldn’t have to question your work ethic and how you move from this point on,” Harris recalled telling Walker. “And I never had to question it.” The receiver ultimately landed at North Carolina Central, which canceled what would have been his freshman season in 2020. That pushed Walker to Kent State, 500 miles from home in North Carolina, where he posted 921 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore and blossomed into one of the best at his position in the nation. Everything went Walker’s way on the field. Off it, there was a hole he failed to fill. His grandmother couldn’t watch him play. Loretta Black has had multiple knee and hip surgeries and battles severe scoliosis, making long flights and car rides difficult. Walker was her caretaker before he left for college. Being without her for the first time weighed heavily while he flourished on the field, so much that it pulled him back home. That decision threw Walker into a months-long battle to play against the NCAA, which initially deemed him ineligible as a two-time transfer. “After they denied it, I just thought it was over,” he said. Walker hired a legal team that threatened to sue as public pressure mounted. The NCAA reversed its decision five weeks into last season. Walker led the Atlantic Coast Conference in touchdowns from that point on. His grandmother saw each one. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Harbaugh on Mark Andrews car accident | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 14, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on up-and-down offense, big plays from young players and good signs from secondary Baltimore Ravens | Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris hospitalized, to miss ‘significant amount of time’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews involved in car accident with ‘heavy damage’ but no injuries, police say Black will be in Baltimore for the Ravens’ home opener Sept. 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Walker relied on her for guidance throughout his life. That’ll continue even as a professional. Reaching the NFL was just as much her dream as it is his. “She’s the one I’ve leaned on, cried on,” Walker said. “She was one of the only ones who was there for me. That’s why I go so hard for her.” His winding journey continued — and largely still is. Walker spent a night in a hospital after a crushing hit from a Georgia Tech defensive back later that season. He dropped three balls and finished with zero catches on eight targets at the Senior Bowl, a showcase game for NFL draft entrants. He finally impressed at the scouting combine, where he ran the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash among the 30 receivers present. In April, the Ravens made Walker their fourth-round pick to pair his speed with their two-time Most Valuable Player at quarterback. Walker finally arrived at his desired destination, however bumpy the path there might have been. He faces new tests this preseason. He’s prepared. “Everybody’s story is different,” Harris said. “He could write a great book right now.” View the full article

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Baltimore Ravens cornerback T.J. Tampa focuses on the ball held by defensive back Brandon Stephens while practicing ball-stripping skills during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Damarion Williams catches the ball during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Dayton Wade runs during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A slow shutter captures Baltimore Ravens defensive back Daryl Worley with a football being thrown during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens long snapper Nick Moore during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker stretches during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson twirls the football during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anthony Miller during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington catches the ball during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anthony Miller during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A Baltimore Ravens defender sprints past safety Marcus Williams who is blurred by the use of a slow shutter during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Isaiah Washington sprints during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens special teams coach Randy Brown gestures between running back John Kelly, left and cornerback Damarion Williams during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout catches the ball during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back John Kelly during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson passes during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson receives the snap during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article