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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Ravens had a new face at practice Tuesday. Baltimore bolstered its wide receiver depth by signing veteran Russell Gage. The 28-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons and was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the past two years, but he missed all of last season after tearing his patellar tendon during training camp. A 2018 sixth-round draft pick out of LSU, Gage has 2,491 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 74 games over five seasons. His best years came in 2020 (72 catches for 786 yards and 4 TDs) and 2021 (66 catches for 770 yards and 4 TDs). “He’s a guy that’s proven,” coach John Harbaugh said. “Tough player. Physical player. Great hands. Just starting today but looked good. He got his helmet at about 1 [p.m.] and was out there at 1:20.” Baltimore’s receiver depth was thin entering this season — Harbaugh said none of the Ravens’ young receivers have pushed veterans for larger roles in the offense through two weeks of training camp. That took another hit Monday when Rashod Bateman exited practice after landing awkwardly on the ball after a catch. In a career-high 16 games last season, Bateman posted just 367 receiving yards and one touchdown. He was experiencing an up-and-down camp after signing a contract extension in April as his connection with quarterback Lamar Jackson fluctuates daily. Harbaugh said that Bateman’s injury is “not serious.” “Kinda hit the ground hard,” the coach said. “Nothing long-term.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens player slams Olympic sportsmanship display by Team USA gymnasts Baltimore Ravens | Looking for a breakout Raven? You can’t miss ‘superhuman’ Travis Jones | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Soccer and football in 72 hours: Renovated Ravens stadium prepares for AC Milan, FC Barcelona Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on the offensive line conundrum, Rashod Bateman and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Here’s what’s new — so far — at upgraded Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh was also absent Tuesday with a sprained ankle, Harbaugh said. Center Tyler Linderbaum missed his fourth consecutive practice with a soft tissue injury. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen, outside linebacker Quincy Roche and defensive lineman Deadrin Senat were also out. Rookie outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, who missed the first two weeks of training camp on the non-football injury list, and receiver and returner Deonte Harty returned to practice Tuesday. Isaac, a third-round pick, practiced in full for the first time since rookie minicamp as he works back from a hamstring injury. The next few weeks will be critical for Isaac as he acclimates to the defense, which is looking for linebackers and edge rushers to fill large vacancies. “We’re gonna have to ramp him up a little bit,” Harbaugh said. “He hasn’t done anything from the first day really. We’re gonna bring him along. But the good news is, it’s still pretty early in camp. He’s excited to be back.” View the full article

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey on Monday condemned a show of sportsmanship by two Team USA stars while at the Paris Olympics. Gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles took home silver and bronze medals respectively in Monday’s floor exercise competition. Taking her first-ever gold in the event was Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade. The win made Andrade the most decorated Brazilian Olympian in any sport in the country’s history. “Rebecca, she’s so amazing, she’s queen,” Biles said of Andrade. “It was an all-Black podium, so that was super exciting for us. But then Jordan was like, ‘should we bow to her?’ I told her ‘absolutely.’ So that’s why we did it.” An image of the two Americans bowing before a triumphant Andrade with her arms raised high went viral on X, drawing the attention of Humphrey, a cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens. “This is literally disgusting,” he wrote. Humphrey appears to be an active spectator of the Olympics, posting Sunday “the lights was too bright for the Jamaicans” in reference to the results of the men’s 100-meter dash. Biles is married to Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens. Owens recently commented on Biles’s Instagram post touting Team USA’s first-place women’s team gymnastics finish, encouraging opponents to “F AROUND AND FIND OUT.” Content from the The National Desk is provided by Sinclair, the parent company of FOX45 News. View the full article

Twelve months ago, Justin Madubuike was just another promising defensive lineman. Through three seasons, he’d been tabbed a potential star and had popped on film enough to keep that buzz alive. He just hadn’t consolidated his many tools into a run of sustained excellence. Now? Madubuike is playing the first season of a four-year, $98 million extension that made him a core figure in the Ravens’ championship designs. That’s what 13 sacks — extraordinary production for an interior lineman — will get you. One season to change your entire identity. Is there a Ravens defender in line for a similar vault forward in 2024? Talk to coaches and players around the team’s training facility, and you won’t find a more popular candidate than Travis Jones. “I have a big vision for Travis,” coach John Harbaugh said recently. “He and I have talked about it — a really big vision. I really have high expectations for Travis Jones to have one of those years that is going to be memorable. I believe that’s going to happen this year; I’m looking forward to it.” You won’t hear any such proclamations from Jones, who’s about as hype-averse and inwardly motivated as anyone on the roster. But he cares quite a bit that one of the NFL’s longest-tenured coaches sees so much possibility in him. “It does mean a lot to me,” Jones said Friday. “Just seeing all the work that I’ve put in in the offseason paying off out there on the field. I’ve just got to keep doing it.” You can’t miss No. 98, all 338 pounds of him stretched over a 6-foot-4 frame, striding purposefully onto the practice field. Since the day he joined the Ravens as a third-round draft pick out of UConn in 2022, Jones has tossed blockers like so many sacks of flour and done so with minimal chit-chat. “They don’t make too many like him,” fellow lineman Michael Pierce said after a few weeks of observing the rookie Jones. Once the games began, he held his own but never busted out. He improved in his second season, playing a higher percentage of defensive snaps, making 50% more tackles and improving his Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade from below average to above average. As with Madubuike before him, however, there’s a lingering sense that Jones has more to unleash. 2023 NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore RavensKarl Merton Ferron/Baltimore SunJustin Madubuike didn’t bust out until his fourth season with the Ravens. Could Travis Jones beat him by one? (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Madubuike didn’t bust out until his fourth season. Could Jones beat him by one? “I don’t think you would be asking me if you didn’t feel the same way,” Pierce said of a possible Jones breakout. “He’s made a tremendous amount of strides. I’m just trying to be what Brandon [Williams] was for me, a big brother to him. But Brandon gave me a lot of room to grow, figure things out and play next to him and with him. That’s something that I’ve seen a lot of growth in Trav. I believe he will have an amazing year this year, for sure.” When asked what he took from watching Madubuike “explode,” Jones said it wasn’t one key but more the general affirmation that relentless work will bear fruit. He has a list of notes, plans and goals for the year on his iPhone, but you won’t be hearing those. “No, personal,” he said in typically blunt fashion. It’s not that Jones, 24, is unfriendly. He smiles plenty and thanks you for your interest after a chat. He’s just never had a ton to say, especially with a recorder in his face. On the field, he’s neither a pure nose tackle like Pierce or Williams before him nor a textbook three-technique (lined up on the guard’s outside shoulder) rusher like Madubuike. So it’s interesting to contemplate how a breakout from him might look. It’s unlikely to feature double-digit sacks, but Ravens fans know from watching Haloti Ngata that an interior lineman need not drop the quarterback to be a playmaker. Jones said he’ll never be content with just filling space on the interior, even if he’s occupying two blockers. “Oh no, no, no. Tackles for losses, sacks, splitting double teams,” he said when asked how he envisions the best version of himself. “I’m trying to make plays.” There’s a lingering sense that Travis Jones has more to unleash. (Amy Davis/Staff) Defensive coordinator Zach Orr expects Jones’ progress to be more about brains than brawn, which he has had since he was a 360-pound mauler playing high school ball in New Haven, Connecticut. It wasn’t exactly a garden of future NFL players, and despite his colossal frame, Jones actually didn’t want to play the sport. He preferred baseball. His mother had to kick him off the couch in the fall. “She didn’t want to see me in the house,” he said, laughing. He starred at Wilbur Cross High School but didn’t truly see himself as a burgeoning pro until midway through his UConn career. He’s younger in football years than some of his peers. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Soccer and football in 72 hours: Renovated Ravens stadium prepares for AC Milan, FC Barcelona Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on the offensive line conundrum, Rashod Bateman and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Here’s what’s new — so far — at upgraded Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 5, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman goes down at practice but walks off under own power “Just having more football awareness, just becoming a better student of the game,” Orr said when asked why Jones will make a leap this season. “When you’re a first- [or] second-year player, a lot of stuff is still new to you, but now, [with] him going into his third year, he’s seen most of the run scheme, most of the pass protections, and he’s in here every single day working his butt off in the classroom and in the weight room. I think you’re going to see a big jump in his game.” Take a humble workaholic who’s built like a grizzly with the foot quickness of a man 100 pounds lighter and you have the recipe for an ideal modern defensive lineman. With Pierce coming up on his 32nd birthday, this is a natural time for Jones to take his place at the heart of a star-laden defense. No one seems more sure this is his moment than Harbaugh. “Whenever someone blocks him it’s like a superhuman feat almost,” he said. “He’s like a superhuman player. We’ll see if it pans out in the games. I know it’s a high tag to put on him, but let’s go for it.” View the full article

M&T Bank Stadium has been more construction site than sporting venue over the past six months, but after the first round of a three-year renovation, the stadium will again host tens of thousands this week. First, Italy’s AC Milan and Spain’s FC Barcelona will play a soccer exhibition Tuesday and then, on Friday, the Ravens host their first preseason game of the 2024 campaign, a season they hope lands them in the Super Bowl. Milan and Barcelona are both steeped with talent — each club finished second in their respective country’s premier 20-team league last season — and also history: The clubs, both founded in 1899, are celebrating their 125th year of existence. Each is among the world’s top 15 most valuable soccer clubs. The European sides will inaugurate the recently renovated M&T Bank Stadium, which has added a beer hall and luxurious suites thus far as part of a nearly $500 million renovation expected to be fully completed ahead of the 2026 season. Ravens president Sashi Brown called the upgrades “dynamic” Monday and said he hopes they’ll help the team bring in more special events, like Tuesday’s match, to the venue. On Monday morning, the M&T Bank Stadium scoreboards flashed with Milan and Barcelona logos and the hybrid Bermuda grass field was painted with soccer lines. Creating that playing area took some landscaping, though, since soccer pitches are larger than football fields. To prepare for Tuesday’s exhibition, approximately 20,000 square feet of additional grass was added to the playing surface, Ravens spokesperson Tom Valente said. After the game, that added sod will be removed, with some of it reinstalled along sideline areas. Between Tuesday and Friday, the field will be mowed, treated with liquid fertilizer and repainted with football lines. Turf areas will be cleaned and run over with a magnet to pick up any fallen pieces of metal, like earrings. The field will then be tested, “per NFL’s mandatory practices,” Valente said, mowed again and watered multiple times each day ahead of the game. Soccer goals will, of course, be switched out for football goalposts. The entire stadium will be open for the soccer match, according to Matt Basta, a spokesperson for Soccer Champions Tour, which is hosting the event. It will be the first major soccer game at M&T Bank Stadium since July 2022, when English Premier League sides Arsenal and Everton played in front of an announced crowd of 39,245 (most of the stadium was open for that exhibition, save for the end zone upper bowls). Tuesday won’t be the only European soccer friendly in the past week in Maryland. Premier League teams Crystal Palace and Wolves played Wednesday in Annapolis in front of a crowd of 6,750. When European teams travel to the United States ahead of their regular seasons, they often tour the country, and during Barcelona’s three-stop U.S. visit — with friendlies in Orlando, New York and Baltimore — they’ve made Annapolis a home base, training at the U.S. Naval Academy. Ahead of their matchup against AC Milan in Baltimore on Tuesday, FC Barcelona trained at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. (Marc Graupera/FC Barcelona) Attendees and American soccer fans Tuesday might get a glimpse of Diego Kochen, an 18-year-old goalkeeper for Barcelona born in Florida. For fans of the U.S. men’s national team, Tuesday will also afford a chance to see Milan forward Christian Pulisic, dubbed “Captain America” for his performance on the national team, as well as fellow U.S. soccer player Yunus Musah. For many players, including Musah, who grew up in Europe, it will be an introduction to Charm City. When asked what he thinks of when he thinks of Baltimore, Musah said, “Just an American city, that’s it, really.” Ruben Loftus-Cheek, an Englishman and another Milan midfielder, had a similar answer. “To be honest, I don’t know too much about Baltimore,” he said earlier this month, before adding what he’s learned from early reports: “but I’m hearing it’s a beautiful city.” If Loftus-Cheek is able to score against Barcelona, local fans could get a look at what’s become a goal celebration of his: the “too small” gesture, used by many American basketball players. Loftus-Cheek, who is 6-foot-3, often places his arm low to the ground with his hand out, gesturing that the opponent isn’t big enough to handle him. He’s not a big NBA fan, but occasionally he’s seen clips where a player uses the “too small” celebration after a dunk. “I just liked it. It was quite a good celebration. I didn’t actually plan to do it when I scored, it just happened,” he said with a laugh, “and then from then on, I just kept using it.” View the full article

The Ravens have tried several combinations during training camp, so it’s difficult to predict who will start on the offensive line for their preseason opener Friday night against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. They worked several scenarios again at practice on Monday, including rotating Patrick Mekari and rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Daniel Faalele at right guard. They even had veteran Ben Cleveland starting at center, so it appears all options are still open. The Ravens are still without starting center Tyler Linderbaum, who missed his third straight practice because of a “soft tissue” problem, coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s been at center now since the first day of OTAs, he’s been working in there,” Harbaugh said of Cleveland. “He continues to work in there. Tyler is out right now — they’re kind of evaluating him — he had some discomfort, and we’re going to hold him out. We’re going to be very cautious with Tyler, obviously. … We’ll kind of rest him up there. We’re going to work Ben, we’re going to work [Andrew] Vorhees in there. We’re going to work all of those guys.” Aumavae-Laulu appears to have better range than the 6-foot-8, 380-pound Faalele, who still struggles with hand placement. Faalele at times has problems in pass protection because he allows opponents to get under his shoulder pads or gets overextended. Regardless, it should be good work for the group which was and remains a major concern with Week 1 in Kansas City a month away. Veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley practiced Monday at least, but he didn’t take a lot of repetitions with the first team. Bateman falls hard Fourth-year wide receiver Rashod Bateman has had a good training camp but appeared to suffer an injury after catching a 15-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson in the corner of the end zone near the end of the 2 1/2-hour practice. The extent of any injury is not known, but the Ravens need Bateman, a 2021 first-round pick, to develop into a top-notch receiver. He doesn’t need to become an elite player like the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill but needs, at least, to force opposing defensive coordinators to game plan for him. The Ravens have a good group of receivers with tight ends Isaiah Likely, Mark Andrews and slot receiver Zay Flowers but need a major contributor on the outside. A copycat league Former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, now the coach of the Seattle Seahawks, might have started a trend last season with his use of three-safety looks, especially bringing Kyle Hamilton off the corner as a pass rusher. Word has leaked out that Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who was the Ravens’ defensive backs coach last season, has installed some similar packages with his new team. Baltimore certainly has it in their playbook for this season, and it’s a safe bet that Macdonald will use it in Seattle. The NFL is a copycat league, and remember the old saying, “If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.” Just Jonesing around Third-year defensive tackle Travis Jones has played well throughout camp and appears to have reshaped that big body in the offseason, but the biggest improvement I’ve seen is with his foot speed. At one point on Monday, he was only a few steps behind Jackson, which is no easy feat, but even when the quarterback started juking, Jones stayed with him. That’s impressive, and even more so considering Jones is 6-4 and 338 pounds. Working with the guru One of the best things I’ve noticed about Ravens outside linebackers coach and pass-rushing guru Chuck Smith is there isn’t much rest once he steps on the field. Even before practice started, Smith was working on the sidelines with pass rushers Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo. These weren’t just talking sessions, but going through eye, hand and foot coordination to work on movement and leverage. When he was finished with one, Smith would go to the others in succession. It’s still a question if the Ravens can have the same pass-rushing success of a year ago, but it won’t be from a lack of effort. Meanwhile, Ojabo looks like he is rounding into shape and appears to have slimmed down from when training camp started nearly two weeks ago. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Here’s what’s new — so far — at upgraded Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, August 5, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman goes down at practice but walks off under own power Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson and Rashod Bateman finally finding chemistry during scrimmage Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens training camp is boring. That’s a good thing. | COMMENTARY Piercing the sled It’s always fascinating to watch Michael Pierce do sled work. The 6-foot, 355-pound nose tackle has to be one of the strongest players in the NFL, and few can explode like him when he is at the top of his game. Another player who has that type of explosion is seventh-year tackle Josh Tupou, who is 6-3 and 340 pounds. Tupou had to be assisted from the field by a trainer but the former Cincinnati Bengal might work his way into the rotation even though the Ravens have a surplus of defensive line talent. Tough day for a corner It was tough times for third-year cornerback Christian Matthew on Monday. Not only did Andrews swat him like a fly on a quick inside move for a touchdown in a one-on-one session, but Matthew dropped an interception in the right corner of the end zone after receiver Keith Kirkwood slipped and fell. It’s tough to make it in the NFL. These moments don’t help. Mitchell appears Second-year running back Keaton Mitchell stepped on the field Monday and is still walking with a slight limp. Mitchell had 396 yards rushing on 47 carries with two rushing touchdowns last season, but tore his ACL and other ligaments on Dec. 17 after breaking out. There have been several projections about his return, but the Ravens don’t need to rush him back. Derrick Henry and Justice Hill will be just fine for now. An ugly turn The 70 minutes of practice was pretty crisp — and then it got sloppy. There were a lot of poorly run routes and dropped passes. It got kind of ugly there for a while, and it certainly wasn’t one of the team’s better practice performances. Safety Ar’Darius Washington had the best move of Monday’s practice. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Celebrate good times The best move of the day was safety Ar’Darius Washington running about 80 yards on an interception return for a touchdown while being escorted into the end zone by Hamilton, who wasn’t wearing a helmet. And then Washington did a backflip. Well done. View the full article

The beer hall is built, a new concessionaire is serving up crab-shaped pretzels and pricey suites have been newly minted as the first of a three-year M&T Bank Stadium renovation is complete, just in time for the Ravens’ 2024 season. Following the passage of a 2022 law and a 2023 lease agreement with the state of Maryland, which owns the stadium, the Maryland Stadium Authority began upgrading the venue shortly after the Ravens’ final game last season in January. The first round of renovations is now complete and attendees will get a first look Tuesday evening when European soccer teams AC Milan and FC Barcelona christen the renovated stadium. Among the upgrades are The Gatehouse and Roof Deck, located outside Gate B, which Ravens senior vice president of stadium operations and guest experience Rich Tamayo dubbed the “best beer hall and roof deck in Baltimore.” The club level has also been upgraded, 136 plush seats have been installed on the field and 10 exclusive suites have replaced the press box, which was relocated to the southeast corner. Those suites, named the Blackwing, are the most luxurious in the stadium. Season tickets to a suite, which can hold 20-30 people, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Ravens will soon kick off their season — after Tuesday’s soccer match, American football will be played Friday at 7:30 p.m. with a Ravens preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles — but come January, the stadium authority will continue with another offseason renovation in 2025 and 2026. Those renovations, designed by architect Gensler and built by construction company Gilbane, include additional plazas and field-level clubs. Also new this season will be the concessionaire Levy, which manages food and beverage at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, operating at the Ravens stadium under the name “Hospitality Evermore.” During a media tour Monday, Levy chef Adam Carter shared several food items: chicken seasoned with McCormick spices, a crab-shaped pretzel, and a rotating “hot dog of the day.” First up for Tuesday’s soccer match: a Spanish-inspired sausage in honor of Barcelona. After signing a lease that keeps them at M&T Bank Stadium until at least 2037, the Ravens were able to benefit from a chunk of state money, with $430 million of that being used for this project. The stadium authority will issue bonds and borrow money from JPMorgan Chase to finance the upcoming improvements, which will ultimately be paid off over more than a decade with lottery revenue. “The three-year renovation is going to be upward of $400 million, probably closer to $500 million,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said in an interview Monday. “We, the Ravens, are actually going to co-invest with some tens of millions of dollars from our end as well. That’s the way that it’s heading now.” The Ravens have two options to extend their lease at M&T Bank Stadium by five years and could exercise one or both of them to access more public money (the amount of state bonds available is tied to the length of the lease), but have not opted to do so. Brown highlighted that a stadium with “dynamic” renovations might enable the Ravens to attract more third-party events to the stadium, like Tuesday’s soccer match. He acknowledged that over the next two offseasons, it might be a “little more quiet” in terms of events because of the renovations, but that the Ravens will chase events like concerts and college football games going forward. “In the meantime,” he said, “we gotta build it.” Social influencers Chris Franzoni of @eatmoreBemore and Samantha Stern of @BaltimoreFoodScene take a selfie while sitting on cushioned field level seats during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A view of one of the new suites at the stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Construction workers continue upgrading the suites in the seating bowl during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A photo of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco upon winning the Super Bowl during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A fan quote is part of the ambience on the club level during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Levy concessions, under the name “Hospitality Evermore," unveiled a crab-shaped pretzel, which will be new at the stadium this season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The entrance of suite 2 inside the Blackwing area during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Kevin Lesniewski of Frederick looks at wife Colleen Lesniewski who places a smash burger beside his hotdog during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Guests gather at the roof deck during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Visitors look at the view from inside suite 2 during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A smash burger slider during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Guests stand on the field during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The relocated press box has numerous seats with obstructed views of the field during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Guests gather at the roof deck during a tour of the M&T Bank Stadium upgrades on Monday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) New furniture has been added on the club level during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) From left, PSL owners Dayna Davis, Fentzy Aug., Ferne Skinner and Summer Jackson pose for a photo on the roof deck during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A view of the relocated press box with the trend of major league entities opting to move the press boxes in order to build corporate suites during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Show Caption1 of 17Social influencers Chris Franzoni of @eatmoreBemore and Samantha Stern of @BaltimoreFoodScene take a selfie while sitting on cushioned field level seats during a tour of the new stadium upgrades for the Baltimore Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Expand View the full article

Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison, left, practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison, left, practices with running-back Justin Hill during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison, left, takes a rest during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, left, conducts training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws during training camp 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 safety Kyle Hamilton practices during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens Marlon Humphrey, left, poses for pictures with young fans after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens rookie tightend Qadir Ismail, right, signs autographs for young fans after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with sports media after training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

The chemistry between Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and enigmatic wide receiver Rashod Bateman has continued to build over the past couple of practices in Owings Mills. That included on Monday when the latter delivered the highlight of the afternoon, going up between defensive backs Jalyn Armour-Davis and Ar’Darius Washington to haul in a 15-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone near the end of the 2 1/2-hour session. The bad news is that Bateman appeared to suffer an injury on the play as he crashed hard and awkwardly to the ground. After hauling in the pass, the 2021 first-round pick stayed down for a minute. He eventually got to his knees and walked off with a trainer while seeming to hold his midsection or ribs. With only about 20 minutes remaining in the padded practice, Bateman then took off his pads and laid down on a side field before eventually exiting with the rest of the team once practice was over. Coach John Harbaugh said he wasn’t told anything yet in regards to Bateman and whether he suffered an injury. As for the rest of the day, Bateman and Jackson found a rhythm for the second straight practice. Following a day off Sunday after Saturday’s simulated scrimmage in which Bateman had four catches for 62 yards, the receiver stood out again. During one-on-one drills, Bateman easily beat cornerback Brandon Stephens with a fake to the inside before breaking back outside, though Jackson overshot him. Later in the same drill, the two hooked up with Bateman beating cornerback Marlon Humphrey to the back corner of the end zone. Then Bateman beat Stephens again for another catch. Later, in more one-on-one play, it was rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins’ turn, with Bateman getting open for an easy 10-yard grab. In seven-on-seven drills, Bateman again beat Humphrey, this time on a short crossing route before making his touchdown grab in 11-on-11 competition. It was just the latest in a series of plays Bateman has made this summer. “He’s done really well,” defensive back Ar’Darius Washington said. “He’s making the tough catches. He’s giving us a lot of good releases off the line. ‘Bate is gonna be explosive this year. He’s gonna make a lot of plays for us.” Harbaugh also said previously that he expects Bateman to have a big season. However, the speedy 6-foot-1, 195-pound fourth-year receiver has yet to find his footing after groin and foot injuries derailed much of his first two years. He’s never had more than 46 catches or 515 yards in a season and has just four career touchdowns. Last season, he had just 32 catches for 367 yards and one score despite playing in 16 games in what was his first healthy season. Asked about what he can do to have a bigger impact this year, Bateman said two weeks ago staying healthy was a priority. “I’m excited, and we’re going to see what’s in store,” he said in late July. “The foot is healed, and it’s not a problem anymore — thank God. Obviously, this year is different than last year. I’m healthy, 100%, and that’s all I can say about it. I don’t really want to keep talking about my injuries. It’s past me. That’s the past now, so we’re onto bigger and better things now. “It’s not about me. I need to do what’s best for this team — whatever that is, whatever my role is. I expect my role to be bigger, and I’m ready to take on that role. So, we’ll see what happens.” Linderbaum still sidelined Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum missed his third straight practice with what Harbaugh had previously dubbed a “soft tissue” injury. He expounded on that a bit Monday. “They’re kind of evaluating him,” he said. “He had some discomfort.” Harbaugh gestured toward his neck as he described the injury but did not provide any specifics. “We’re going to hold him out,” he continued. “We’re going to be very cautious with Tyler. It’s not anything he needs right now in terms of practice.” Ben Cleveland was among the players getting reps at center and Harbaugh said they will also use rookie guard Andrew Vorhees there as well. Meanwhile, wide receiver and kick returner Deonte Harty (lower leg), cornerback Trayvon Mullen (shoulder) and outside linebacker Quincy Roche were the only other players missing from practice. Rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker returned after being out Saturday. View the full article

The dynamic between Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Rashod Bateman has been an important, yet polarizing one since Baltimore selected Bateman with the 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. To wit, the injury-hampered Bateman has yet to have the expected production of a first-round receiver. His 46 catches and 515 yards his rookie year remain career highs, and he’s scored just four touchdowns across three seasons. Last season — Bateman’s first fully healthy one — figured to mark a shift in the paradigm, but alas the quarterback and receiver seemed to rarely be synchronized as Bateman had one touchdown and 367 yards on 32 catches while not often being Jackson’s first or second option. Bateman’s 56 targets were fourth-most on the team and little more than half that of rookie Zay Flowers and five fewer than tight end Mark Andrews, who played six fewer games. It’s only the first week of August, but Saturday’s simulated scrimmage offered a glorious glimpse of the possibilities when Bateman and Jackson are aligned. Bateman finished the day with four catches on five targets for 62 yards, including two that went for at least 20 yards. The most intriguing of them came on a crossing route in which he caught a 15-yard pass from Jackson in the middle of the field, stopped, faked and cut back to the outside to leave a trail of defenders in his wake as he picked up about 5 more yards. Then he had another big catch down the field that went for around 30 yards. Last season, Bateman’s best performance included four catches for 54 yards in a Week 17 blowout of the Miami Dolphins. “It was great to see [him] building a rapport with him and Lamar,” wide receivers coach Greg Lewis said. “To see ‘Bate get out there, making moves, making catches, the sky’s the limit for him. “It was awesome to see just plays being made, contested catches, going up grabbing the ball, by all the guys out there.” For whatever reason, the connection between Jackson and Bateman has been inconsistent at best through the early part of camp in what seemed like a carryover from last year. But they looked terrific Saturday. Jackson, who played against the first- and second-team defenses, unofficially finished 10-for-16 for 107 yards with one touchdown, a 4-yard pass to Andrews. Offense vs. defense Overall, the defense still got the better of the offense Saturday, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Outside linebacker Malik Harrison stuffed Derrick Henry on a fourth-and-1 to end one possession, though the star running back did have a couple of long carries, including one around 50 yards for a possible touchdown that got called back for holding. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike was also disruptive, and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh got near Jackson on at least one throw that forced the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player to get rid of the ball quickly. On another possession, Jackson slammed his helmet to the turf (and was flagged for it) after he overthrew running back Justice Hill on a third-and-short on what appeared to be some sort of miscommunication. Afterward, Jackson was engaged in a spirited conversation on the sideline that coach John Harbaugh eventually joined in on as well. Unlike previous practices, however, the defense did not force any turnovers. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens training camp is boring. That’s a good thing. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson-Rashod Bateman chemistry, praise for Jalyn Armour-Davis and more Baltimore Ravens | With Ravens offensive line jobs up for grabs, Andrew Vorhees has veterans raving Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s off day, Patrick Mekari’s role and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens pass rushers worked out together in Atlanta. Now trainer Dez Walker has lofty expectations. Wright stuff There’s no question who Baltimore’s top two running backs will be this season, with Henry and Hill expected to get the bulk of the touches. Beyond that, however, there’s something of a question mark, with second-year undrafted free agent Owen Wright and fifth-round rookie Rasheen Ali competing for the No. 3 job. So far, Wright has outperformed Ali. That was the case again Saturday, when Wright ran with the second team and showed good vision on his cuts as well as his speed on a couple of chunk runs. “He’s grown so much from last year,” running backs coach Willie Taggart said of the former Monmouth star and Bethesda native. “What we’re seeing now is a young man playing with confidence.” Wright has also grown in his understanding of the offense, something that has at times slowed Ali because he’s thinking his way through a play. Both backs have good speed, but at this point Wright, whose best game came in last year’s preseason finale when he had 89 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, appears to be next in line. Special teams standouts The Ravens have one of the best kickers in the NFL in Justin Tucker. Punter Jordan Stout was inconsistent in his second season but showed flashes of a big and accurate leg. Tucker had an up-and-down day, however, while Stout shined. Tucker connected on field goal attempts from 33, 42 and 48 yards but missed from 54 (wide right) and 68 (short). Stout, meanwhile, boomed one punt after another and on several occasions flipped the field with his length and placement. Attendance and injuries Center Tyler Linderbaum, who missed Friday’s practice with a soft tissue injury, was also held out Saturday as expected. Also missing were receiver and returner Deonte Harty (soft tissue/lower leg) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (shoulder). Newly absent was rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker. View the full article

If insomnia is the cause of many sleepless nights, then attending a Ravens training camp practice might be a good solution. It’s not that the Ravens are bad, or in rebuilding mode. They just don’t have a lot of holes in the starting lineup. Sometimes, boring is good. The Ravens are prepared to make another deep postseason run after losing, 17-10, to Kansas City in the AFC championship game last January here in Baltimore. Can the Ravens win Super Bowl 59 on Feb. 9 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans? Of course, but most of the other 31 NFL teams feel the same way, even though some have no shot. As for the Ravens, they have some suspect areas, but nothing glaring at this point. They have quarterback Lamar Jackson, the league’s two-time Most Valuable Player at age 27. They have the best and most punishing running back in the NFL in 6-foot-3, 247-pound Derrick Henry. They also have a good tight end tandem in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, both of whom can play inside or outside. So, the prime-time players are in place, but there is concern about the shortage of beef on the line and the lack of a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Overall, the receiving corps is sound. The Ravens have the perfect slot target in Zay Flowers, the 5-9, 175-pound speedster who can turn a short pass into a game-changing touchdown. They have the versatile veteran in Nelson Agholor and capable replacements in Tylan Wallace and possibly rookie Devontez Walker. But who’s the No. 1 on the outside, a player who can have the same impact as Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, Miami’s Tyreek Hill or Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb? It could be fourth-year player Rashod Bateman, but the enigmatic one has yet to prove his consistency, even in training camp. One practice he looks superb, and then he takes off two straight for some apparent soreness. That’s puzzling, almost as strange as the Ravens trying to find starters on the offensive line. Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has created the most intrigue during training camp so far. (Amy Davis/Staff) The team has been shuffling players on the first unit, which is problematic because it’s like rotating quarterbacks. If you have two, then you really don’t have a starter. If you’re shuffling seven to eight linemen, then you really don’t have a dominant group. It’s safe to say that the starting tackles at this point are Ronnie Stanley on the left side and Patrick Mekari on the right, but there are health questions about both, and Mekari seems a step slower than a year ago. Third-year player Tyler Linderbaum will start at center and probably second-year performer Andrew Vorhees at left guard, but the right guard position is open with Daniel Faalele and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu vying for a starting spot. Rookie Roger Rosengarten is getting more playing time at right tackle, but that might be in preparation for the preseason, not Week 1. The Ravens also have to find ways to get Likely and Andrews on the field more often instead of waiting to get inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. The Ravens don’t want to become predictable in running situations by making fullback Patrick Ricard the tight end. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson-Rashod Bateman chemistry, praise for Jalyn Armour-Davis and more Baltimore Ravens | With Ravens offensive line jobs up for grabs, Andrew Vorhees has veterans raving Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s off day, Patrick Mekari’s role and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens pass rushers worked out together in Atlanta. Now trainer Dez Walker has lofty expectations. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ deep and versatile secondary key to defense: ‘Anybody can line up anywhere’ “It’s been very fun,” tight ends coach George Godsey said of the game planning. “I mean [we’ve] got four guys that we think we can put out there at any point, at any position — including Pat. It’s a versatile group — it’s exciting, we’re physical, we catch the ball, we run — we’re going to be moved around in the offense, and that’s the role that we want. We want to be put in a position to succeed, so whoever’s out there, we feel like we’ll do that.” Defensively, the Ravens might be close to what they were a year ago when they led the league in point allowed per game (16.5). The line is set with tackle Justin Madubuike, who established himself as a complete player in 2023 with 56 tackles and 13 sacks. It’s a big-bodied front with two tackles over the 330-pound mark in Michael Pierce and Travis Jones, making Broderick Washington the lightweight at 315. Jones is expected to share time with Pierce and Washington, and the Ravens have a quality backup in veteran Brent Urban. The Ravens are loaded in the secondary with cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Arthur Maulet, Nate Wiggins, Damarion “Pepe” Williams, T.J. Tampa and safeties Ar’Darius Washington, Eddie Jackson, Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton. Most of the players are interchangeable, which is exceptional for a team that shows multiple looks. Roquan Smith will anchor at the middle linebacker position, and the team can use Trent Simpson or Malik Harrison on the weak side. Harrison can also play on the outside, too. There are still questions about the pass rush. Outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson, and David Ojabo have performed well in camp, but is it because they are playing well or because the offensive line hasn’t found a rhythm yet? Another X-factor is first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. How will he react with game-time decisions? At age 32, will he be influenced by players or coach John Harbaugh? The kicking game is in place with kicker Justin Tucker and punter Jordan Stout. There still might be some uncertainty about the return specialists and the new kickoff rules, but the Ravens have time to work those things out. It will be important for the Ravens to get off to a strong start, especially with three games in 18 days followed by three games in 10 in days during the second half of the season. That’s absurd coming from a league that likes to pretend it cares about player safety. The Ravens play in the highly competitive AFC North, but they have a healthy Jackson compared with both Cleveland’s DeShaun Watson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow trying to come back from major injuries a year ago. In Pittsburgh, veteran Russell Wilson appears to be the opening day starter but might be looking over his shoulder at former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. As in the previous six seasons, the Ravens’ fate will be decided by the passing game. Opposing teams, such as Kansas City in the AFC championship game, will stack the line of scrimmage and dare Jackson to beat them on the outside, especially if they have talented cornerbacks. That’s not to put the entire season on Jackson’s shoulders, but it’s been a recurring theme. If Bateman develops, the offensive line can pass protect and there is consistent pressure from the defensive front, then the Ravens are in great shape. If not, they’ll come up short again. This team has to get hot. During their Super Bowl run in 2000, the Ravens went five straight games without scoring a touchdown. But finally, coach Brian Billick transitioned over to the “dark side,” giving rookie running back Jamal Lewis a lot of the workload and allowing one of the best defenses ever to control the pace of the game. In 2012, quarterback Joe Flacco had one of the greatest postseason runs ever as the Ravens beat San Francisco in Super Bowl 47. Of course, injuries and luck will play a part and take their toll during the regular season, but right now the Ravens are in a really good position. It’s OK to have a boring training camp. Really, it’s a good thing. View the full article

As the temperature soared toward triple digits in Owings Mills on Friday afternoon, the Ravens opted for a shorter practice — about 90 minutes — and shells instead of pads while operating mostly at half speed. It was their 11th practice since training camp opened 13 days ago, so there’s a need to balance the requisite repetitions without overworking players before the first game of the regular season next month. It’s why, for example, safety Ar’Darius Washington took first-team reps during 7-on-7 play in place of Kyle Hamilton to give the All-Pro safety and perhaps the defense’s most talented player some time off. Still, there were some things to be gleaned from the day. During one of the rare full-speed periods on the afternoon, quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 4 of 6 passes, including, unsurprisingly, two to tight end Mark Andrews. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman was, again, another matter. Jackson overshot him down the far sideline after Bateman had a good two steps on cornerback Brandon Stephens. He also failed to connect with the receiver on a short out pattern, throwing the ball out of his reach and well into the sideline. The quarterback did hit Zay Flowers in stride for about 40 yards down the sideline after Flowers got behind Arthur Maulet. The connection and chemistry between Jackson and Flowers has been obvious. Much like last season, the same can’t yet be said for Jackson and Bateman. Other takeaways With players operating at half speed much of the day, it’s hard to gauge progress, but rookie wide receiver Isaiah Washington made a couple of nice plays, hauling in a touchdown from Josh Johnson during 7-on-7 play and followed that with another one as he wrestled a pass away defensive back Daryl Worley. Receiver Nelson Agholor, tight end Charlie Kolar and Andrews all had touchdown grabs as well. Meanwhile, cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, who has struggled with injuries each of the past two years, continues to have a strong camp and earn praise in the process. Harbaugh essentially guaranteed his spot on the roster, which is telling given a deep and talented defensive backfield. “He’s always played very good football,” Harbaugh said. “We expect him to have a really good year.” He added that Armour-Davis will play in certain packages in the secondary as well as as special teams. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | With Ravens offensive line jobs up for grabs, Andrew Vorhees has veterans raving Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s off day, Patrick Mekari’s role and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens pass rushers worked out together in Atlanta. Now trainer Dez Walker has lofty expectations. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ deep and versatile secondary key to defense: ‘Anybody can line up anywhere’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson against the blitz, suddenly crowded secondary and injury updates New kickoff rules It’s still difficult to get a grasp of the impact of the new kickoff rules, but Thursday night’s preseason game between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears at least provided the first glimpse. Not much was different. The first two kickoffs from each team resulted in identical 21-yard returns that put the ball a yard past where it would have been under the old touchback rules. The farthest anyone returned a kick was to the 31-yard line. There were also a couple of penalties for players running too early before the returner caught the ball. Harbaugh’s impressions? “It looked about how we thought it would look,” he said. “One thing that did jump out is, it’s confusing for the fans. Where does the ball go? If you kick out of bounds, where does it go? What about after a penalty you kick it out of bounds? What about if it’s in the end zone when it lands there? What if it rolls in the end zone, where does the ball go?” To wit, kicks that reach the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Kicks that reach the end zone in the air and go out of bounds or sail past the end zone will result in a touchback at the 30. But to Harbaugh’s point, the new rules did get at best mixed reaction from fans. The Ravens will get to test it out themselves Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium when they open the preseason against the Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries and attendance The only new absence at Friday’s practice was, surprisingly, Tyler Linderbaum. The Pro Bowl center is in his third year and has been as good as he has been reliable, so his not being on the field was notable. However, it doesn’t appear to be a serious injury as Harbaugh termed it a minor soft tissue issue. Linderbaum will also sit out Saturday’s practice, but Harbaugh said he expects him back sometime next week. “We’ll be very patient with Tyler,” he said. “He’s having a great camp.” Receiver and kick returner Deonte Harty (soft tissue/lower leg), meanwhile, was absent again, as was cornerback Trayvon Mullen (shoulder). “I can’t say there’s no concern,” Harbaugh said of Harty, who has been absent all week with what has been described as a nagging lower leg issue that he has dealt with in the past. “You would want him out here with this new [kickoff] deal, getting a feel for the timing of it.” The Ravens will wrap up the week with practice from 1:45 to 3:45 p.m. Saturday before a day off Sunday. View the full article

Southern California offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Josh Henson distinctly remembers when he saw offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees unlock another level of his ability. Four games into the Trojans’ 2022 season, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound left guard made a handful of blocks in which he put a Fresno State defender on his back or drove him off the ball. One of those instances came against then-Bulldogs freshman Gavriel Lightfoot, with Voorhees bulldozing the 6-3 296-pound defensive tackle 2 yards deep into the end zone from the 4-yard line to clear a path as wide as the Panama Canal for running back Austin Jones and an easy touchdown. As Henson told The Baltimore Sun, that’s when Vorhees went from “blocking people to moving them.” A little more than a year removed from a torn ACL suffered during the NFL scouting combine, Vorhees is back to doing just that, albeit against much bigger and better competition. While the Pac-12 had, by the 25-year-old’s admission, a reputation for smaller defensive linemen, Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce (6 feet, 355 pounds) and defensive tackle Travis Jones (6-4, 338) are the antithesis of easy to push around. Yet, through the first two weeks of his first training camp, Vorhees has acquitted himself well against them and others, so much so that he appears to be the front-runner for the starting left guard job — something that can’t yet be said for others competing for the vacant right guard and right tackle spots. “It’s been a joy,” Pierce said of going against the offensive line. “Vorhees is going to be really good.” Praise during the summer is often tossed around with the ease of a Lamar Jackson pass, but much less so for a young player trying to land a starting role. That hasn’t been the case with Vorhees, though. “I’m very impressed with how fast he’s learning things, how fast he’s getting up to the speed of the game [and] how good of a shape he’s in,” left tackle Ronnie Stanley said. “Everything is moving really fast for him, but he’s also adjusting really fast, and he’s getting better and better every day.” Added veteran offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris: “Andrew is doing a great job — he’s doing a great job. … I’m very pleased [with] what I see with him right now.” That isn’t to say Vorhees hasn’t struggled on occasion, including Thursday when Jones ate him up on one particular pass rush, though Harbaugh was quick to point out that Vorhees made “numerous other good plays.” That he’s even in the conversation for the starting job is as much providence as it is a testament to his ability and toughness. The road back for Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees, middle, was arduous. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Just over a year ago, Vorhees was projected to be a mid-round draft pick. Then he tore his ACL during drills at the scouting combine. The injury caused his draft stock to plummet, but he became something of a legend when he asked doctors if he could still participate in the bench press, then ripped off 38 reps at 225 pounds for the highest total of any player invited to Indianapolis. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta liked what he saw in Vorhees long before then, so with Baltimore having already exhausted all of its 2023 draft picks, he traded a 2024 sixth-rounder to the Cleveland Browns for their 2023 seventh-rounder and selected the former All-American. “We are getting a tough and physical competitor who is polished and experienced,” DeCosta said at the time. “We have every expectation that he will be playing winning football for us in 2024, and this is a move that really solidified our line for the coming years.” Still, the road back for Vorhees was arduous. The ACL tear was “clean” but the process of recovering from a full reconstruction was, in Vorhees’ words, “tedious” and “long.” He spent the year rehabilitating at the Ravens’ facility, attending meetings, soaking up the playbook and leaning on veteran players such as former guard Kevin Zeitler. In the little downtime he had, he and his wife Samantha, both native Southern Californians, explored the East Coast, from historical sites to going on what they called “food tours” at various restaurants. But it was also difficult to be away from playing football as long as he was. “It has been a long time since I put pads on,” Vorhees said. “It had been a long time since I hit somebody.” That of course changed with training camp, and so far he’s handled himself with aplomb of a more seasoned player. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s off day, Patrick Mekari’s role and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens pass rushers worked out together in Atlanta. Now trainer Dez Walker has lofty expectations. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ deep and versatile secondary key to defense: ‘Anybody can line up anywhere’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson against the blitz, suddenly crowded secondary and injury updates Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 31, 2024 | PHOTOS Harbaugh said that he’s letting the open spots on the offensive line “play out,” but ideally would like to have those positions determined by the second or third week of camp. In the meantime, Vorhees continues to get first-team reps at left guard and will try to hold his own against a defensive front that in addition to its braun is one of the more talented ones in the NFL, a challenge he relishes. “They’re both big boys, they’re great athletes and they could really move and they’re really strong,” he said of Pierce and Jones. “They’re up there if not the strongest people that I’ve ever had to compete against.” More telling, however, will be when the Ravens start playing preseason games, the first of which will be against the Philadelphia Eagles next Friday at M&T Bank Stadium. “Anytime you have an opportunity to go out there and play football and they’re keeping score, it’s important,” Vorhees said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on the Mighty Mites or any level of football. I’m just looking forward to get out there and compete against somebody who’s not a teammate.” The Ravens are, too. View the full article

Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman took a moment during Thursday’s practice in Owings Mills to reevaluate. Jackson and the rest of the Ravens quarterbacks had been inconsistent and off-target for much of the 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven periods, particularly on deep passes. Something needed to change. The trio sat on water coolers and discussed what they noticed. Flowers reenacted a route in which he believed he had his defender beat, but Jackson didn’t see him. They vowed to be better the rest of the afternoon, deliberated some more, then jogged back onto the field to try again. “[Jackson] and Zay have had it from the first day,” coach John Harbaugh said. “That tends to be the case with great players and great athletes. They figure each other out pretty quickly.” Jackson hasn’t had trouble connecting with Flowers throughout camp. He has been off with Bateman, however, and that continued Thursday. Jackson targeted him frequently with only a couple of catches to show for it. Thursday’s practice, still one of Jackson’s first after he missed several with an illness, was one of the most physical of training camp as the intensity rose to new levels. Working out those miscommunications is what days like these are for. Patrick Mekari is satisfied with any role The 26-year-old offensive lineman has been deployed at all five positions across his five seasons with the Ravens. His versatility has proved valuable for a group that’s dealt with endless turnover and injuries. But throughout camp, Mekari’s been almost exclusively at right tackle, rotating there with Roger Rosengarten. The rookie worked with the first-team offense for a stretch Thursday as the battle for that starting position has seemingly narrowed to those two. “Roger’s been great, he’s really immersed in the meetings, really locked in at practice,” Mekari said. “I like what I’m seeing.” Mekari said Thursday he’d be fine in either role — starting at right tackle or remaining the first man off the bench: “I just want to play and help the team. Whatever way that looks like.” he said. He added that he’d like to get work at other positions along the line before the season starts if that’s how the Ravens use him. But for now, he’s enjoying this run with the first team. “Pat’s greatest strength is his versatility,” Harbaugh said. “It’s also probably the thorn in his side a little bit. He doesn’t get a chance always to lock down at one position. That’s a good problem to have.” Mekari has also blossomed into a leader on the line. The unit is much younger this season after Kevin Zeitler, Morgan Moses and John Simpson’s departures. Mekari once leaned on those veterans for guidance and leadership. Now, Mekari’s taken on that job for Rosengarten and second-year lineman Andrew Vorhees. “As the years go on, I continue to be the older and older guy in the room,” Mekari said. “It’s good to be in a mentorship role and really guide these guys.” Aug 1, 2024: Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, waves to fans watching the training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Nelson Agholor, Baltimore Ravens WR, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Nelson Agholor, Baltimore Ravens WR, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Aug 1, 2024: Nelson Agholor, Baltimore Ravens WR, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens WR, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens head coach, meets with first responders who assisted after the the Key Bridge collapse following Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Wednesday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens head coach, meets with first responders who assisted after the the Key Bridge collapse following Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Wednesday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Andrew Vorhees, G, talks with Roger Rosengarten,TB, during the Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace was the star of Thursday’s practice. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Andrew Vorhees, G, talks to Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, G/T, during Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Chris Collier, RB, drills during Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Show Caption1 of 14Aug 1, 2024: Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, waves to fans watching the training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Expand Attendance and notes • Receiver Deonte Harty was absent again Thursday. Harbaugh said he’s dealing with a “minor soft tissue issue.” • The Ravens brought in referees this week to get approval for how they plan to approach the NFL’s new kickoff rules, Harbaugh said. He’ll be watching Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans closely to see how others strategize kickoff and return coverage. • Ben Cleveland left practice early with a trainer. Harbaugh said the offensive lineman suffered a head injury and will be evaluated further. • Harbaugh said he thinks rookie linebacker Adisa Isaac will “be back soon.” The third-round pick has been sidelined since rookie minicamp with a hamstring injury. Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace was the star of Thursday’s practice. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Highlights • Tylan Wallace was the star of Thursday’s practice. He made a leaping one-handed grab along the sideline in individual work and caught a touchdown in a narrow window between Marcus Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis in the full-team portion. The defenders collided and fell to the ground, while Wallace was the only one left standing with the football in the end zone. • Trenton Simpson slithered through blockers and blew up a screen pass from Leary to Justice Hill and wrapped up the running back for a significant loss, earning helmet slaps and high fives from fellow defenders. • Rookie running back Rasheen Ali fumbled during the seven-on-seven period. Second-year back Owen Wright (Georgetown Prep) received most of the work with the second team after Ali’s mistake. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens pass rushers worked out together in Atlanta. Now trainer Dez Walker has lofty expectations. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ deep and versatile secondary key to defense: ‘Anybody can line up anywhere’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson against the blitz, suddenly crowded secondary and injury updates Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 31, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on O-line development, TE blocking and more | COMMENTARY • Armour-Davis enjoyed another strong day. He was involved in several pass breakups and continues to rotate with the first-team defense. • Undrafted rookie Isaiah Washington hauled in the best grab of the day with a fingertip catch for a touchdown. He beat first-round pick Nate Wiggins down the sideline, and backup quarterback Josh Johnson delivered perhaps the best pass of the day to complete the highlight. • Kyle Hamilton was responsible for the defense’s most impressive play. He was draped over Mark Andrews as both went up for a Jackson deep ball. Andrews caught it initially, but Hamilton got a hand on it to pop it from the tight end’s grasp in mid-air to come down with an interception. • The Ravens spent about 15 minutes practicing with the field goal unit. Justin Tucker was a perfect 7-for-7 with a long of 47 yards. Afterward, Tucker teed up a ball from the left sideline — far from the hash marks where he typically kicks between — and split the uprights from 56 yards out. View the full article

Dez Walker is very particular about the aura in his gym. The one-story building sits along an interstate about 30 miles north of Atlanta in the same plaza as a car battery store. It’s nondescript and easy to miss driving the vast parkland of Suwanee, Georgia. Inside, it’s hot and musty. Walker likes to say it’s the opposite of an LA Fitness. “You know how guys say, ‘I gotta get back to my roots to get that same energy,’” Walker said. “It’s that. … Great facility but it’s [about] the mentality when you step in there.” That’s where Ravens pass rushers Justin Madubuike, Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo and Tavius Robinson spent the last week of June. They took a weeklong business trip to see Walker at the Georgia foundry and sharpened the nuances of their most coveted skill: getting to the quarterback. The results bled right into training camp, evidenced by what Lamar Jackson recently called a “throwback Ravens defense,” the quarterback thumping his fists together to demonstrate his violent practice competition. Madubuike has been visiting Suwanee for three years, a timeline parallel to the defensive lineman’s year-over-year ascension. He climbed from two sacks in 2021 to 5 1/2 to 13, good for top 10 in the NFL this past season. The All-Pro was voted by his peers to the NFL’s Top 100 players list and captivated his teammates up close. “I had to tap in,” Oweh said, after his own five-sack season. He peppered Madubuike for guidance, “What were you doing, man? [Was it] something that you were eating? What were you watching?” The difference was his work with Walker, a pass rush savant. The former defensive lineman from Sterling College pivoted to training in 2018, shortly after graduation. He brings a unique tenacity to the positional instruction — often joking he talks so much that he should start a podcast — and comes from elite mentorship with equally excellent nicknames. Walker worked under the tutelage of Chuck Smith, a.k.a “Dr. Rush.” Smith was hired as the Ravens outside linebackers coach in 2023 with a resume that boasted a starry clientele: future Hall of Famers Von Miller and Aaron Donald. Smith was tutored by the Hall of Fame defensive end dubbed the “Minister of Defense,” Reggie White. “A lot of it is me putting in the hard work early, along with Chuck Smith being a mentor is what got me to where I’m at today,” said Walker, whose clients bestowed him the nickname “Samurai Sack” — a play on the old cartoon show, “Samurai Jack.” Madubuike started a group text to plan the business trip with Oweh, Ojabo and Robinson. They tossed around dates to find a week that worked for the quartet and booked flights south. Each day began with a discussion about the Vision, Get-off, Hands and Hips (VGHH) system, created by Smith and mastered by Walker as a way to break down the movement of pass rush into fragments and body movements. Then, throughout the 90-minute period, they’re repping more than 150 strikes — like a basketball player working on their jump shot, only more violent. Monday was a good introduction to conversations about angles along with primary moves and counter moves. A lot of figuring out where the four Ravens can and want to improve: the cross chop and spin for Oweh or Robinson finding the quarterback particularly on play action. From left, Ravens outside linebackers Tavius Robinson and David Ojabo run a drill during training camp. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Walker calls it “Bloody Tuesday.” It’s a grind type of day, he said. If they’re getting 150 strikes per session, Tuesday is an exhausting 300-strike workout adjusting angles and counters from the day before. Madubuike was prioritizing a technically advanced move called ‘the hump,” an outside attack with a hard cut back using the inside arm to shove blockers off balance, which White made famous in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Odafe and Ojabo were fine-tuning spin moves and Robinson focused on techniques for the pull through. “We went crazy on Tuesday so Wednesday is a premeditated day,” Walker said. “We’re walking through our angles. We’re training our eyes. You really don’t even need cleats at that point in the week. We’re focusing on walking through [everything].” Then came “Bad Boy Thursday.” They started with some reflection from the beginning of the week. Walker repositioned the players to the offensive line to provide a new look at the angles and attacks they’ve been drilling. “I’m a firm believer the only thing the offensive line controls is the snap count,” Walker said. “We dictate. They’re puppets to us.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ deep and versatile secondary key to defense: ‘Anybody can line up anywhere’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson against the blitz, suddenly crowded secondary and injury updates Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 31, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on O-line development, TE blocking and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 30, 2024 | PHOTOS Thursday was the week’s most technical day. “Freestyle Friday” put it all together. For example, reminding Madubuike to complement his innate power off the line with the striking they worked on. Or Robinson, who’s adept at putting hands on people, testing his new tools against the run and the pass. Each of the four, according to Walker, left excited about their homework, eager to implement everything they learned over the week. Back at the Ravens’ facility in Owings Mills, people are taking notice. Coach John Harbaugh said Oweh is playing like he’s positioning himself to have a breakout year. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr said Oweh already looks better than last season and mentioned Ojabo first as a candidate to replace Jadeveon Clowney’s 9 1/2 sacks last year after only one in 2023. Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley has seen the fruits of their labor in camp as much as anyone. “I mean, ‘Dafe’ is always a headache, Madubuike is always a headache. You’ve got ‘Jabo’ on the outside, you’ve got Kyle [Van Noy] on the outside,” Stanley said. “Those guys are always … They create different problems, they’re all great at different things.” Walker said firmly, “I don’t see how this can’t be one of the greatest Ravens fronts of all time.” View the full article

Ravens coach John Harbaugh pursed his lips and slightly furrowed his brow. The words that followed expressed some optimism, but only cautiously so. “I’d like to really take it one day at a time and get there first, then there will be opportunities,” Harbaugh said Wednesday when asked about what, for now at least, is a defensive backfield flush with depth and talent. “But we have a deep group back there. Every single guy in the secondary, to my eyes, is playing very well and playing like a 53-man type of guy. It’s a good thing.” And it’s a much different thing than last summer. About a year ago, there were rightly questions and concerns all over the group. Cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis, Arthur Maulet, Damarion “Pepe” Williams and Rock Ya-Sin all suffered injuries during training camp. Former All-Pro Marlon Humphrey was about to undergo foot surgery. Marcus Peters, another All-Pro, wasn’t brought back in free agency. The Ravens’ starting cornerbacks in Week 1 against the Houston Texans were Brandon Stephens, who had switched positions for the second straight offseason, and Ronald Darby, a solid veteran signed late in camp who was coming off a torn ACL the previous year. Perhaps this in part explains Harbaugh’s slight bit of reservation. Entering his 17th season at the helm in Baltimore, he’s been around more than long enough to know that the last day of July is not the time to get too excited about the cards he’s been dealt, especially when he hasn’t seen the flop from the dealer. Yet, among the many questions facing the Ravens as they get set to embark on their 10th practice of training camp in Owings Mills — offensive line, pass rush and whether they have enough to unseat the Kansas City Chiefs — defensive back isn’t one of them. After all, the Ravens ended up fielding one of the best secondaries in the NFL last season and tied for the second-most interceptions in the league with 18. This year, Humphrey is healthy and has been a ball hawk during camp. Stephens, who was one of the most targeted corners in the league last season, has proven more than capable. Rookie first-round draft pick Nate Wiggins has been every bit as fast as advertised and has played aggressively. Maulet has been, in the words of Harbaugh, the “right player” for the “right team” in his decision to return. Armour-Davis and Williams, two players with checkered injury histories, have remained healthy and have occasionally flashed. At safety, Kyle Hamilton remains a do-it-all All-Pro. Marcus Williams is healthy after a pectoral injury that inhibited him last year and looks like his old reliable self. Ar’Darius Washington, another player who has been plagued by injuries, has avoided them thus far and perform well. The Ravens also brought in veteran Eddie Jackson and drafted Sanoussi Kane out of Purdue. How good has the secondary been this summer? The Ravens’ defense had 17 interceptions going into Wednesday’s mostly half-speed practice, many of them courtesy of the defensive backfield (albeit most of them came against backup quarterbacks as Lamar Jackson missed nearly a week with an illness). There are others who are expected to contribute as well, including fourth-round corner T.J. Tampa, who should return from double sports hernia surgery in a couple of weeks. “We definitely have depth,” Stephens said. “But, just because we have depth doesn’t mean that’s going to get the job done, so we know that we still have to go out, attack each day and take what’s ours.” There’s that cautious assurance again. A significant part of the equation, however, is the multitude of skills omnipresent within the group. In an era of increasingly position-less football across the NFL, particularly on the back end of defenses, myriad abilities are all but a prerequisite. Brandon Stephens started his Ravens career as a safety before making a successful transition to cornerback. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Last season, the New York Jets’ Zach Wilson was the only quarterback in the league to complete fewer than 60% of his passes, a massive jump from 20 years ago when 60% percent of the league’s passers completed fewer than 60% of their passes. Much of that increase can be traced to the steady and ongoing decline of yards per attempt over the past decade. Like in the NBA, spacing matters, which is why there’s been a jump in 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers). Last year, teams used the grouping 61.5% of the time, with the Los Angeles Rams representing the zenith at 93.1%. Even the Ravens’ use skyrocketed, jumping from 9.8% in 2022 to 64% last season. The translation: Defenses need to feature more cornerbacks and safeties to keep up — or, better yet, players who are effectively position-less because they can and must do many things, another trait shared with the NBA. In that regard, the Ravens are as well-equipped as perhaps any team in the league. Hamilton can and has played all over the field. Humphrey can play outside or in the slot depending on the matchup and has even spoken about wanting to someday play safety. Stephens, who said he’s “locked in” at corner this camp, already has experience at safety. Harbaugh has talked about the possibility of using Wiggins on the outside or inside. The list goes on. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens pass rushers worked out together in Atlanta. Now trainer Dez Walker has lofty expectations. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson against the blitz, suddenly crowded secondary and injury updates Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 31, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on O-line development, TE blocking and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 30, 2024 | PHOTOS “There are so many different packages,” Hamilton said. “Teams won’t know what we’re doing, who’s playing what. Anybody can line up anywhere, and that’s kind of the exciting thing about being in this secondary. “[Pass game coordinator] Coach Chris [Hewitt] always says … some guy came up with the cotton gin, and he made one that you can move all the pieces and can put [them] wherever, and he uses that analogy of our secondary. I don’t know who that guy is, but long story short, he basically says, ‘Learn every position, so in a game, the best six DBs can play.’ You don’t ever want to be in a position where you have a guy that should be playing, but he can only play at one position.” Put another way, Hamilton said, “We can never have somebody that’s on the field that’s a liability.” That hasn’t been a problem so far, but it’s only the end of July. The Ravens’ season opener against the Chiefs is just over a month away, with games against the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals — all teams with explosive and dynamic offenses — to follow in short order. “We have a lot of guys we’ve got a lot of confidence in,” Harbaugh said. “We just want to see those guys keep doing well, keep growing [and] keep getting better, and see where it takes us.” View the full article

After four straight days of fully padded practices, the Ravens dressed down for a slightly less intense day in the heat. In the midst of a six-day practice run that concludes Saturday, Wednesday proved to be just as critical as the offense had an up and down day, injury news came from both sides of the ball and the secondary stood out once again, proving coach John Harbaugh and his staff might have some tough decisions to make before finalizing the 53-man roster. Here are some observations from Wednesday’s practice: Offense does well against the blitz; Lamar Jackson shows command Harbaugh said the offense was working on third-and-long situations, which provided an opportunity for two things: shots down the field for the offense and chances to blitz for the defense. Quarterback Lamar Jackson and his unit performed well against the blitz as the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player found tight end Isaiah Likely open a couple of times for some big gains. Jackson also connected with wide receiver Zay Flowers deep over the middle despite being “pressured” by several blitzing defensive backs. “We had a big blitz period where the offense hit numerous plays downfield, so, that was important to see,” Harbaugh said. “It was good to see [that] the ball was coming out quick and executing like we need to against that pressure. That’s a big step for us.” The two best highlights from practice came when Jackson threw a touchdown pass to an eligible offensive lineman and quarterback-turned-receiver Malik Cunningham hauled in a pass from backup Josh Johnson down the sideline for a huge gain. Jackson also stood out in a hurry-up drill, showing more command and mastery of offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system as they enter Year 2 together. Mental mistakes hamper offensive linemen, pass catchers When offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris speaks, everyone listens. When he screams or gets frustrated, everyone listens. With the offensive line still a work in progress as the Ravens look to replace three starters, D’Alessandris was seen laying into Daniel Faalele for what he called “multiple missed assignments,” one of which led to a sack of Johnson as a defender came through the line untouched. The mistakes continued Wednesday, as it was rookie center Nick Samac’s turn to take a lap after committing a false start. Mental errors were not just limited to the linemen as the receivers and running backs took a minute to find their groove in the heat, starting the day with several dropped passes that could be attributed to a mere lapse in concentration. One of those drops came from running back Derrick Henry, who hasn’t always looked sharp catching the ball out of the backfield compared with Justice Hill. Camp battle underway once again Fans who were at training camp last season saw Kyle Hamilton’s “welcome to the NFL” moments come from an unlikely source as the Notre Dame safety battled with a blossoming tight end all summer long. This year, the battle between Likely and Hamilton has been fun to watch as they find themselves matched up quite often in team drills as well as during one-on-ones, with each getting the better of the other throughout camp. Much like left tackle Ronnie Stanley versus outside linebacker David Ojabo on the outside, center Tyler Linberbaum versus defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and Michael Pierce on the interior or any receiver versus cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the battle between Hamilton and Likely is one fans in attendance are treated to everyday. And both players are getting noticeably better because of it. Who stays, who goes in a suddenly crowded secondary? At this time last year, the Ravens might have looked at some fans in the stands with some size and athleticism and asked them to play in the secondary. This year, they have the opposite problem. The strength of the secondary was once again on display Wednesday as defensive coordinator Zach Orr sent anyone he could to hunt on blitzes. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens pass rushers worked out together in Atlanta. Now trainer Dez Walker has lofty expectations. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ deep and versatile secondary key to defense: ‘Anybody can line up anywhere’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 31, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on O-line development, TE blocking and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 30, 2024 | PHOTOS The unit has stood out all summer, with Humphrey praising rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins and others on several occasions. Veteran safety Eddie Jackson said he hasn’t seen a room this deep since his national championship days at Alabama. Harbaugh has lauded the growth and potential of the now-healthy duo of Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams and the importance of bringing back cornerback Arthur Maulet. “I felt like he wanted to be here, and we wanted him back,” Harbaugh said. “It’s one of these things, sometimes the right players are looking for the right team, and I feel like Arthur was the right player for us, and we were the right team for him.” Even cornerback Brandon Stephens chimed in on what he sees from the group. “We have guys that can play all sorts of positions — from the top down, to be honest,” he said. “You put guys in different positions you never know … the offense can never know what’s being thrown at them, so being able to have guys that can play multiple positions definitely is in our favor.” But the NFL is a numbers game at the end of the day, and while several defensive backs have been playing well these past couple of weeks, there simply isn’t enough room to keep everyone. And that’s a great problem for Orr, Harbaugh and the front office to have. Injury updates: Tough break for hometown player Harbaugh looked down at the ground in disappointment as he updated everyone on the status of Baltimore native Malik Hamm. “He has a clean ACL tear, so it does mean he’s out for the season, but it also means it bodes well for a very good recovery.” Harbaugh said of the former Lafayette and City College star. As Hamm goes on injured reserve for the second straight season, eyes were also on receiver Rashod Bateman, who didn’t practice Tuesday and left practice early Wednesday after taking a couple of reps. Harbaugh downplayed the injury, describing it as a “soft tissue issue he’s trying to nurse through.” Harbaugh also said that cornerback Trayvon Mullen suffered a shoulder subluxation that will cost the 2019 second-round pick a couple of weeks. Baltimore Sun reporter Brian Wacker contributed to this article. View the full article