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Arthur Maulet, Baltimore Ravens CB, makes a catch during a drill training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Brandon Stephens, Baltimore Ravens DB, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Brandon Stephens, Baltimore Ravens DB, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Daryl Worley, Baltimore Ravens DB, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Ka’dar Hollman, during a Baltimore Ravens training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Jalyn Armour-Davis, Baltimore Ravens CB, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) July 31, 2024: Center, Trenton Simpson, Baltimore Ravens ILB, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Arthur Maulet, Baltimore Ravens CB, makes a catch during a drill training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) July 31, 2024: Brandon Stephens, Baltimore Ravens DB, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Ar’Darius Washington, Baltimore Ravens S, makes a catch during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) July 31, 2024: From left, Tavius Robinson and David Ojabo, Baltimore Ravens OLBs, training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) July 31, 2024: From left, Josh Tupou, DT, Tramel Walthour, DE, and Justin Madubuike, DT, during a Baltimore Ravens training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) July 31, 2024: From left, Arthur Maulet and Bump Cooper Jr., Baltimore Ravens CBs, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Trenton Simpson, Baltimore Ravens ILB, takes questions after Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Wednesday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Arthur Maulet, Baltimore Ravens CB, takes questions after Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Wednesday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens head coach, takes questions after 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) 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) View the full article

The one-on-one pass protection drill is a great time to observe Ravens practice, because there is no “turned” or rotated blocking scheme, just players going against each other. It’s hard to draw conclusions from these sessions, but I have watched several during the past couple of days. Starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley is using his arms and hands better, something he didn’t do last season. Stanley had a problem with power rushers, but at least he appears to keep them away from his body. Second-year guard Andrew Vorhees gets better every practice and his body language shows his confidence. Center Tyler Linderbaum, still undersized at 314 pounds, has good versatility and surprising strength for a player in only his third season. As a rookie, he got overpowered by big nose guards such as Michael Pierce, but that’s not the case any more. Just go ask 6-4, 338-pound defensive tackle Travis Jones. As the line develops, the major concern is at right tackle, where veteran Patrick Mekari is expected to start. He appears to be a step slower than a year ago, and that will cause problems when the Ravens go pro left or use a tight end to the same side as Stanley. The team needs rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten out of Washington to develop quickly, but he might need an offseason in the weight room like Linderbaum. Tight end blocking I haven’t seen any of the team’s tight ends block well except for fullback Patrick Ricard, but that could be a giveaway if the Ravens only use him in running situations. Mark Andrews has worked hard as far as run blocking, but that’s not his forte. No. 2 tight end Isaiah Likely thinks he is a wide receiver and won’t attempt to block. At 6-6 and 267 pounds, third-year player Charlie Kolar has the prototype body, but he isn’t knocking anyone off the ball either. This is going to have to be another creative solution for second-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Nice catch The best catch of the day came on a 20-yard floater from quarterback Lamar Jackson to Andrews in the two-minute offense. Jackson was on a semi-roll to his right and sent a pass to the outstretched Andrews, who pulled down the reception. Another great catch came late in the practice, when safety Kyle Hamilton had Likely covered but Likely still hauled in an 8-yard touchdown pass on a perfect and tight pinpoint pass from Jackson. After the catch, Hamilton just shook his head in disbelief. Now, if only Jackson and Likely would learn how to block … One to watch Keep an eye on Jones, the third-year defensive tackle out of Connecticut. He could get some of Broderick Washington’s playing time before the season is over. Because of his long arms in the middle, Jones might be able to knock down several passes along with 6-7, 304-pound Brent Urban, a reserve defensive end. Greatest of all time? Ravens Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden attended practice Tuesday and spent the final minutes with former general manager Ozzie Newsome. I tried to get Ogden to critique the line play after practice, but he gave me the standard line of “wait until I see film or give them some time to develop.” It was all in good fun for Ogden, the best offensive tackle to ever play the game. There are still some debates about the best player in team history, and while middle linebacker Ray Lewis was more of a complete player as far as appeal, camaraderie and leadership, Ogden was technically the best player ever. It just goes back to the draft in 1996. Ogden was the fourth player taken and Lewis was picked No. 26 later in the first round. That’s all that needs to be said. Case closed. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 30, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | With Zach Orr’s Ravens defense setting a physical tone, training camp has turned into feisty fun Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OLB Malik Hamm placed on injured reserve, ending his season; OLB Quincy Roche signs Baltimore Ravens | Small schools, big dreams: Undrafted Ravens rookies living out ‘fever dream’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 29, 2024 | PHOTOS Short game Jackson completed a lot of short passes in practice. I don’t know if the Ravens were working on their short passing offense specifically, but it was like that during Monday’s practice as well. I’d still like to see Jackson be able to throw a better long ball down the field. Kansas City forced him to do that in the AFC title game, but neither Jackson nor his receivers were a match for the Chiefs’ cornerbacks or strong pass rush. There are days, though, when Jackson is scrambling and you really don’t know how he completed a pass. He appears to be rounding back into shape after missing the first couple of days of training camp with an undisclosed illness. Bateman out Starting wide receiver Rashod Bateman didn’t practice Tuesday. On Monday, coach John Harbaugh said Bateman had some soreness but added that the injury wasn’t believed to be serious. Roster moves The Ravens placed linebacker Malik Hamm on injured reserve with a knee injury and signed his replacement, outside linebacker Quincy Roche, to the 90-man roster. Roche starred at New Town High and worked out for the Ravens earlier in the offseason. Roche was a 2021 sixth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers and later played with the New York Giants in 2021 and 2022. View the full article

Running back Rasheed Ali during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterbacks, from left, Emory Jones #10, Devin Leary #13 and Josh Johnson #17 during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Outside linebacker David Ojabo during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback Lamar Jackson takes a breather during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Nelson Agholor during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Zay Flowers during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback Devin Leary passes off to running back Owen Wright during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback pauses for a drink during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Chris Horton, special teams coordinator, speaks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Todd Monken, offensive coordinator, speaks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Zach Orr, Ravens defensive coordinator, speaks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Tee Martin, quarterbacks coach, speaks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Kyle Van Noy #53 chats during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) View the full article

Lamar Jackson infiltrated enemy airspace, in this case the Ravens’ defensive huddle midway through a recent training camp practice. “I was telling them to slow down a bit,” the franchise quarterback recalled with a sly grin. It was a moment of light repartee to break up the intramural combat but also an acknowledgment that the Ravens’ defense, which allowed the fewest points of any in the league last season, has set a punishing tone early in camp under new coordinator Zach Orr. On Monday, for instance, No. 1 running back Derrick Henry surged toward a crevice in the middle of the defense only to be pulled abruptly to the ground by second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson. Henry popped right up without seeming aggrieved, but such flashes of aggression have caught Jackson’s eye, and he likes what they portend for the season. “I believe iron sharpens iron,” he said, borrowing one of coach John Harbaugh’s go-to phrases. “We’ve got one of the best defenses in this league. We’re talking trash to those guys, [and] those guys are talking trash to us. We [are] just going after each other, [and] I believe that’s what builds a great team.” He predicted vintage Baltimore defense once the real games commence. “Man, those guys look like the throwback Ravens defense,” Jackson said. “[It’s] bloodshed, a lot of smack talk and a lot of big hits. We’re seeing it all from our defense. Guys are actually tackling out there — I don’t think we should be — but we’re looking good. I’m loving it.” Camp physicality is a gray area for players and coaches, who covet healthy competition but don’t want anyone getting hurt by friendly fire. Orr and offensive coordinator Todd Monken said the feisty back-and-forth has been productive without verging into ugliness. “I mean, man, we’ve got a lot of competitive guys on both sides of the ball,” Orr said. “I do kind of have to tell them to tone it down a little bit, but I like those guys being real competitive. We’re taking care of each other. Lamar and the offense, they get those guys going by competing at a high level and talking trash. So it’s good. Our offense is one of the best in the league. We’ve got the reigning MVP at quarterback. So it’s good work, and it’s a challenge every single day. I think both sides look forward to it.” “I mean, man, we’ve got a lot of competitive guys on both sides of the ball,” Ravens first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. (Amy Davis/Staff) Simpson, as pleasant a guy as you’d ever want to meet off the field, transforms into a Tasmanian devil between the lines and has been responsible for some of the saltiest camp collisions. He’s giving no quarter in his quest to fill departed Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen’s shoes. Orr laughed when asked about the young linebacker’s affinity for padded warfare. “Trent’s an intense guy, which we love,” he said. “I think [tight end] Isaiah Likely told me the other day, ‘Tell Trent to smile out there on the field.’ I was like, ‘Hey man, that’s how he rolls.’ But that’s why we loved him when he came out of Clemson. He’s a real physical player.” Monken, for one, is fine with the heat coming across the line of scrimmage. “It was great last year and it is this year,” he said. “One, they do a great job schematically. Two is they do a great job of challenging all of your rules. And then they do it with tremendous personnel. That makes it very, very difficult, but good for us in terms of development, especially up front, where you’re trying to see who’s going to emerge in certain spots for us. So it’s been great. At times difficult and frustrating, but it’s been great. It’s something you want to be able to go against every day.” Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin agreed, noting that when he played the position back in the day, he was a lot like Jackson, relishing friendly verbal combat with his defensive teammates. Related Articles 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 Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OLB Malik Hamm placed on injured reserve, ending his season; OLB Quincy Roche signs Baltimore Ravens | Small schools, big dreams: Undrafted Ravens rookies living out ‘fever dream’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 29, 2024 | PHOTOS “You have the ball in your hands, so you can do something about it,” he said. “Sometimes, you don’t know if they’re serious or not, but they’re all teammates, and they love each other in the end. So I like that, kind of getting the juices flowing a little bit in practice.” Harbaugh wants to see his players fighting for leverage and for the ball at this point of the summer, even if he doesn’t want to see them actually fighting. “To protect each other in those situations like that where you might put the other player in danger; we really try to do a good job with our guys, and I think our guys do a great job of respecting one another in those situations,” he said. “Yet, when both players have a chance to protect themselves, you’re going. You have to be going, trying to win the battle. And now you have a physical contest. Remember when we said before, ‘There were no physical contests to win.’ Now there are physical contests to win, and the guys want to win them.” That goes for the most important player on the team as well, though he has the luxury of knowing he’s off-limits for tackling. Jackson did take a slight bump Tuesday from outside linebacker Odafe Oweh after the team’s top edge rusher crashed into the backfield. He responded by wrapping Oweh in a hug from behind as he walked back to the huddle. Quarterback Lamar Jackson takes a breather during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback pauses for a drink during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback Devin Leary passes off to running back Owen Wright during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Zay Flowers during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Nelson Agholor during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Outside linebacker David Ojabo during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Running back Rasheed Ali during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson, as pleasant a guy as you'd ever want to meet off the field, transforms into a Tasmanian devil between the lines. (Amy Davis/Staff) Kyle Van Noy #53 chats during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Tee Martin, quarterbacks coach, speaks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Todd Monken, offensive coordinator, speaks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Chris Horton, special teams coordinator, speaks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Show Caption1 of 12Quarterback Lamar Jackson takes a breather during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Expand View the full article

For the second straight year, Ravens outside linebacker Malik Hamm’s season has ended before it started with the Baltimore native landing on injured reserve, this time with a knee injury. The team announced the move just before the start of Tuesday afternoon’s practice in Owings Mills. “Losing Hamm was tough,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said Tuesday after practice. The Ravens haven’t yet disclosed specifics of the injury, but landing on injured reserve marks the second straight year the former undrafted free agent has suffered a season-ending blow. Last season, Hamm, who played at City College before twice being named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year at Lafayette, suffered an ankle injury during the preseason and spent the year on injured reserve. He’s also the second outside linebacker to have suffered an injury, with third-round rookie Adisa Isaac still out from a hamstring injury he suffered during rookie minicamp. “We’re still excited about Adisa,” Orr said when asked if he’s worried about the Ravens being suddenly thin at the position. “But I think we have guys who can carry the load until Adisa gets back. “You’d like to have another guy since Hamm went down, but those guys are competing and doing a good job.” Last preseason, Hamm had a sack against the Philadelphia Eagles and two tackles and a forced fumble against the Washington Commanders before being placed on injured reserve. Related Articles 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 Baltimore Ravens | With Zach Orr’s Ravens defense setting a physical tone, training camp has turned into feisty fun Baltimore Ravens | Small schools, big dreams: Undrafted Ravens rookies living out ‘fever dream’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 29, 2024 | PHOTOS This year, he was expected to be a possible contributor in a reserve role to a mostly young and largely unproven outside linebacker group that also includes veteran Kyle Van Noy, 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh and 2022 second-round pick David Ojabo, who is coming off a torn ACL that ended his season in Week 3 last year. In a corresponding move, the Ravens signed veteran outside linebacker and Randallstown native Quincy Roche. Roche, 26, played at New Town High School before going on to the University of Miami and later became a sixth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. He was waived by the Steelers that summer and signed with the New York Giants, where he played 17 games over two seasons, recording 40 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble. Roche spent last season on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad before becoming a free agent. View the full article

Deep into the Ravens’ 2 1/2-hour practice on a sweltering late Monday afternoon in Owings Mills, running back Chris Collier took a handoff from backup quarterback Josh Johnson and slashed and burst through the right side of the offensive line for an 8-yard gain. In the grand scheme of Baltimore’s season, and the more immediacy of training camp, it was humdrum, one of seemingly a thousand innocuous plays that hovers somewhere between repetitious and largely irrelevant. Except that for Collier, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound 24-year-old undrafted free agent out of little Division II Lock Haven (student population: 3,800), every touch and every yard carries with it the burden of outsized importance. At the start of any given NFL season, there are about 2,200 or so players in the league between 32 teams and their maximum allowable 53-man rosters and 16-player practice squads (not including those on various injury lists). At the start of last season, just 43 of them came from Division II schools. Even fewer, of course, were the products of Division III schools or lower. Yet, their existence provides a powerful elixir of hope and possibility. Miami Dolphins star wide receiver and five-time All-Pro Tyreek Hill played at West Alabama. Former Minnesota Vikings and current Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, matriculated at Minnesota State. New England Patriots outside linebacker and ex-Raven Matthew Judon, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was a fifth-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2016 out of Grand Valley State. NFL record books are also littered with players who came from nowhere before landing in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, from defensive end Deacon Jones (Mississippi Vocational College) to running back Walter Payton (Jackson State) to the gold standard of small schools, big dreams Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State). “If you’re good enough, an NFL scout will find you,” Ravens vice president of player personnel George Kokinas told The Baltimore Sun. “Jerry Rice and [four-time All-Pro tight ends] Shannon Sharpe and Antonio Gates, those elite players, you’re gonna find those guys.” No one will mistake Collier, or Ravens undrafted rookie tight end Mike Rigerman out of Findlay, for future stars. Running backs Derrick Henry and Justice Hill and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely needn’t worry. Collier and Rigerman are simply hoping to make it, in Baltimore or elsewhere. They’ve already outlasted another small school star, wide receiver DeAngelo Hardy (75 catches for 1,353 yards and 20 touchdowns last year at North Central College), one of the Ravens’ 22 undrafted free agents this offseason who was released in May. That they’re still around or even made it to this point is a testament to their abilities as much as their determination. Collier, who likes to study film of Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro LeVeon Bell and former Heisman Trophy winner and ex-NFL back Reggie Bush, spent two years at Nassau Community College, where he barely saw the field and struggled balancing school, practice and his job at a local Abercrombie & Fitch and as an Uber Eats driver with days that began at 4 or 5 a.m. and stretched until midnight. After working his way up from fourth string to appearing in 10 games his sophomore year, he moved up a level to Wagner, a Division I program. But three concussions in a six-game span left him dizzy over his future. Ravens undrafted free agent running back Chris Collier barely saw the field at Nassau Community College and struggled balancing school, practice and his job at a local Abercrombie & Fitch and as an Uber Eats driver with days that began at 4 or 5 a.m. and stretched until midnight. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) That’s when he transferred to Lock Haven, where he finally found his footing, rushing for 1,393 yards with 12 touchdowns on 236 carries last year. Collier was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, but it was his pro day that turned heads when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds and did the three-cone drill in 6.78 seconds, both of which were faster than that of any back at this year’s NFL scouting combine. Still, no one selected him, though more than a dozen teams were interested in his services in the hours after the draft concluded, including the Ravens, who were the only team not to contact him after his pro day but did send him a care package of team swag (half-a-dozen shirts, two hats, a sweatshirt, etc.) before the draft. “They showed me the most love and were the first offer on the table,” Collier said. “I didn’t feel like playing that game [of entertaining other offers]. I was blown away by them.” Rigerman, meanwhile, has likewise been trying to catch the attention of coaches while running with the third unit and making plays whenever and wherever he can, be it as a receiver or a capable blocker. The opportunities are far and few between for the 6-foot-2, 244-pound 23-year-old undrafted free agent, who, like Collier, said “it was a lot to take in at first” when he arrived in Baltimore. Neither player had ever seen anything remotely close to the kind of facilities, technology and care the Ravens offer after they came from small schools with tiny budgets “straight to the big leagues,” as Rigerman put it. Signing with Baltimore — a team that boasts a deep and talented tight end room with Andrews, Likely, Charlie Kolar and second-year player Scotty Washington (and fullback Pat Ricard) — might also seem like a strange choice for someone on the fringes. Though a few other teams had interest in signing Rigerman, he said he welcomed the opportunity to learn from Baltimore’s group. “I’m a student of the game,” Rigerman said, adding that he was caught off guard when the Ravens expressed interest in him because he hadn’t heard a lot from them leading up to the offer. “Being under their wing will allow me to do that. “But going from Division II to catching passes from Lamar, that’s a crazy jump.” “Going from Division II to catching passes from Lamar, that’s a crazy jump,” Ravens undrafted free agent tight end Mike Rigerman said. (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP) It’s also a reminder to general manager Eric DeCosta and Kokinis that talent comes from all sorts of places. During Kokinis’ early days as a scout with Baltimore in the late 1990s, he recalled the time he’d just come from seeing four future first-round picks work out to watching fullback Dan Kreider at New Hampshire. His assessment was: “ZST53XX,” which translated in scout speak to, he said, “short, slow, stiff, 53 meant undrafted free agent from a small school and XX means always hurt.” Months later, Kokinis and the team’s other scouts were watching film of a Ravens’ loss to the Steelers when, as Kokinis puts it, Kreider, who’d signed with Pittsburgh, “de-cleated” Baltimore linebacker and future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis on a third-quarter blitz. Though the legend of the block has grown in scope over the years, Kreider went on to have a 10-year career. The point is, scouting is still, to an extent, an inexact science, especially when it comes to evaluating players from small schools. “You try to create an objective way of measuring everyone on the same page,” DeCosta told The Sun. “Measureables are important. Do they measure up, or are they good small school players?” That DeCosta has an appreciation if not understanding of small school players is not a surprise. Long before working for the Ravens, he played at Division III Colby College, where he was an undersized, underwhelming linebacker who was also the team’s captain in 1992. The landscape has also changed for small college players in recent years with an increase in all-star games, the transfer portal and much more information and film at the disposal of scouts. This perhaps explains in part why small school players continue to find their way through the Ravens’ organization — they currently have more than a half-dozen players from the Division II level or below, including third-year cornerback Christian Matthew (Valdosta State), rookie defensive end CJ Ravenell (Missouri Western), second-year running back Owen Wright (Monthmouth) and veteran receiver Deonte Harty (Assumption). “Level of play is important,” coach John Harbaugh said. “It probably helps you evaluate a little more apples-to-apples kind of a deal. But, great players come from every single level of college football, and it’s really how you transition to the NFL that counts.” And, as Kokinis added, “Do we have a role for this type of player?” In Collier, Harbaugh said during spring workouts that the back “looked like he belonged” and was “quick and fast and strong.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 29, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on DB depth, a scary moment and how Lamar Jackson helps WRs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson says he feels ‘wonderful’ after illness Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: The Ravens are Roquan Smith’s team now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s energetic return, Isaiah Likely’s one-on-one wins and more “He checked the boxes from a versatility standpoint,” Kokinis told The Sun. “He has a vision and a certain toughness that he brought to his running style.” In Rigerman, Kokinis noted the tight end’s toughness. “And he caught the ball well,” he continued. “He could move around a bit. We’ve seen the picture with Ricard … so you say, ‘OK, this guy has some of those traits,’ so you could see a path.” In the end, that’s all players like Collier and Rigerman are looking for: a road to stay in the NFL, which they both only partly joked often stands for “not for long.” “It’s surreal,” Collier said. “You go from playing ‘Madden’ — the Ravens are actually the main team I use — to being in the same room with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. It feels like a fever dream.” One they hope to not wake up from. View the full article

Tackles Ronnie Stanley #79 and Julian Pearl #60 work on offensive line drills during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Malik Cunningham #12 makes a catch during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterbacks Josh Johnson, #17, and Lamar Jackson #8 confer during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) From left, tackles Darrell Simpson #78, Roger Rosengarten #70 and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu #71 practice offensive line drills at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Offensive linebacker Patrick Mekari during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Tackle Ronnie Stanley watched a drill during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Malik Cunningham gets some water to cool off during practice at Ravens training camp, as temperatures climbed to around 90 degrees. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Dayton Wade #18 during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback Lamar Jackson talks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback Lamar Jackson talks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Head coach John Harbaugh talks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Kicker Justin Tucker signs a football for Madeline Hammond, 13, after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) View the full article

The Ravens have 19 defensive backs listed on their training camp roster. How many they will keep on the 53-man roster will be worth watching. Baltimore has until Aug. 27 to trim its roster and decide which 16 players will make the practice squad. Unlike a year ago when the Ravens were looking for talented cornerbacks or an extra safety or two, this team has a surplus of talent, especially with starting safeties Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams and cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens playing well. The defense is expected to be ahead of the offense at this point of training camp but the secondary has been a strength. Adding to the equation, the Ravens drafted Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round of the NFL draft in April and took Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa Jr in the fourth, though he’s on the physically unable to perform list with a sports hernia. That might mean a veteran like safety Ar’Darius Washington, in his fourth season out of TCU, or a third-year corner such as Damarion “Pepe” Williams could be expendable. Williams has struggled at times in camp and was victimized twice for long passes in practice Monday. “Well, I’ll tell you this. I give a lot of credit to [executive vice president and general manager] Eric [DeCosta] and his staff for putting this roster together,” said Chris Hewitt, the Ravens passing game coordinator and secondary coach. “We’ve got a lot of talented guys back there [in the secondary]. We’ve got length, we’ve got speed, we’ve got guys who [are] pit bulls. We’ve got it all. [We have] guys who come up and tackle, we’re a very talented group back there.” Henry gets clotheslined A scary moment in practice came when running back Derrick Henry took a handoff to the right side and got clotheslined by 6-foot-4, 338-pound defensive tackle Travis Jones. Henry quickly got up and he and Jones shook hands afterward, but the Ravens had to see their running game on the brink of collapsing. Henry is 30, but still has enough talent remaining to push the Ravens deep into the playoffs if used properly. That’s the big question: Will he be used smartly and properly? Another concerning moment — and there seems to be one every practice with him — was receiver Rashod Bateman laying flat on his back early in practice while talking with a trainer. With Bateman, there always seem to be anxious moments. The kid is talented, but he’s such an enigma. He did return to the lineup quickly but eventually left practice early. “I don’t think it’s a serious thing, it’s just kind of a little soreness deal. They took him in to be safe,” coach John Harbaugh said. Wide receiver Dayton Wade #18 during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Kicker Justin Tucker signs a football for Madeline Hammond, 13, after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Head coach John Harbaugh talks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback Lamar Jackson talks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback Lamar Jackson talks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterback Lamar Jackson talks to the media after practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Malik Cunningham #12 makes a catch during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Ravens tackles Ronnie Stanley, left, and Julian Pearl work on offensive line drills during practice on Monday. (Amy Davis/Staff) Offensive linebacker Patrick Mekari during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) The Ravens' Darrell Simpson, left, and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, right, drill with Roger Rosengarten during practice on Monday. (Amy Davis/Staff) Quarterbacks Josh Johnson, #17, and Lamar Jackson #8 confer during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Tackle Ronnie Stanley watched a drill during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Wide receiver Malik Cunningham gets some water to cool off during practice at Ravens training camp, as temperatures climbed to around 90 degrees. (Amy Davis/Staff) Show Caption1 of 13Wide receiver Dayton Wade #18 during practice at Ravens training camp. (Amy Davis/Staff) Expand A minor exchange Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and receiver Qadir Ismail briefly exchanged words Monday, but it was nothing serious. I wish outside linebackers Jarret Johnson and Terrell Suggs were still on the team because they would have jumped in on the pile and acted like there was a mad melee going on. They thrived on those moments and made camp a lot more fun. Making some kids’ day Humphrey made training camp special for two youngsters on Monday. After he intercepted a Lamar Jackson pass, Humphrey gave the ball to a youngster on the sideline. Later, he gave his gloves to another kid wearing his jersey. Those are the memories that make training camp special. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: The Ravens are Roquan Smith’s team now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Odafe Oweh? David Ojabo? Ravens pass rush comes down to Chuck Smith. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on a can’t-miss play, early training camp standouts and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Jacoby Jones is one of the best characters in Ravens history | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: National All-Star Games in Maryland put a different spin on lacrosse showcases | COMMENTARY A helping hand There was never a concern about Jackson returning or him not being around for offensive installation purposes. It was more about morale. The offense needed a boost, especially those receivers, who got tired of having passes sail over their heads. A prime example was receiver Sean Ryan beating Stephens down the left sideline for a 20-yard gain Monday. Jackson delivered a perfect back-shoulder throw, allowing the wideout to make an adjustment on the ball. Bateman also had a nice one-handed catch earlier in the practice. Jackson’s return gives the receivers an added edge. Oweh’s growth The biggest difference for fourth-year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh is that he doesn’t have just one move anymore. He can use another when the first one doesn’t work. In previous years, it was all about speed to the outside. Now, he’ll try speed, then spin and then an arm rip. As for second-year outside linebacker David Ojabo on the other side, I haven’t seen much from him despite Harbaugh saying he is primed for bigger things. But the truth is that fifth-year linebacker Malik Harrison does a better job of holding the edge on running plays. Ravens tackles Ronnie Stanley, left, and Julian Pearl work on offensive line drills during practice on Monday. (Amy Davis/Staff) OL is a work in progress The Ravens offensive line still needs a lot of work, but this group has time and one of the better line coaches in the league in Joe D’Alessandris. Many of the problems can be addressed by cleaning up some technique issues, but the rookie and second-round right tackle out of Washington, Roger Rosengarten, is a competitor. The kid likes to mix it up and certainly isn’t shy. View the full article

Lamar Jackson didn’t waste many words describing the malady that laid him up for the start of Ravens training camp. “You really never know when a bug hits you,” he said Monday, speaking to reporters for the first time since his illness and subsequent return to full-time work. “I had a bug, but I’m good now.” That’s typical Jackson — little apparent interest in past travails, attention turned toward what’s next, in this case his latest campaign to bring Baltimore the Super Bowl he promised on the night the Ravens drafted him more than six years ago. In the context of that grand ambition, a few days feeling run down in the summer don’t amount to much, though Jackson is surely aware of how hungry fans and teammates were for his presence at those four practices he missed last week. They let him know when he returned Saturday. A chorus of children screeched at his every step. Fellow players slapped his hand and bumped his helmet after his first touchdown drive of camp. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is the heart of Ravens world, and that’s never more apparent than when he’s missing. “I’m not thinking they’re missing me,” Jackson said. “I’m missing them. I’m just trying to get back out to those guys and just be happy around my teammates. The kids missing me? I love them.” While Jackson was out, coach John Harbaugh made his grandest proclamation yet about what the team hopes to achieve behind its franchise quarterback. Five years ago, it was an offensive revolution Harbaugh touted. This time, he upped the ante: “The vision that we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become and be known and be recognized as the greatest quarterback ever to play in the history of the National Football League.” What did Jackson make of this? “I was out, so I wasn’t really paying attention to it,” he said when first pressed on the subject. “But I appreciate it.” No, really though, does Jackson like his coach pinning GOAT — greatest of all time — expectations on him? “I’m not the GOAT,” he said hastily. “Tom Brady’s the GOAT.” So does he see it as a motivational ploy? “Yeah, I believe that’s motivation. I appreciate that. I’m still on my way.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, talks with backup Josh Johnson during practice on Monday. (Amy Davis/Staff) He seemed none too concerned that the delayed start to camp would hamper his preparations. “Just because I was down … I’m still locked in,” he said. “I know what time it is right now; it’s camp time. So me going down for a couple days, my mind was still in it, like, ‘I’ve got to hurry up and get better so I can be out there with my guys.'” He has missed practices and two games because of illnesses in past seasons, but Jackson does not see any pattern at play. He laughed at the idea he might be facing a chronic issue with his immune system. “At Louisville, I never got sick,” he said. “But it comes and goes.” Harbaugh said only that: “Lamar [Jackson] gets tested, Mark [Andrews] gets tested, all of our guys get tested thoroughly, especially when you’re sick, so they look at every possibility.” With the medical discourse complete, Jackson addressed an array of queries about the new season. On tight end Isaiah Likely sparkling through the first week of camp as he aims to form a true partnership with Mark Andrews: “From day one, I’ve seen the potential of Isaiah Likely. He shows it each and every day. Each and every day, he wants to be a better player.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Small schools, big dreams: Undrafted Ravens rookies living out ‘fever dream’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens training camp, July 29, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on DB depth, a scary moment and how Lamar Jackson helps WRs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: The Ravens are Roquan Smith’s team now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s energetic return, Isaiah Likely’s one-on-one wins and more On how quickly he built trust with second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers: “It was pretty easy. I’m seeing him attack the ball, [and] I’m seeing him when the cornerback has outside leverage on an out-breaking route; he’s dropping him, and he’s winning. Off back, he’s had my trust. [With] him catching the ball and doing what he does, that’s all a quarterback wants.” On first-year coordinator Zach Orr’s defense: “Throwback Ravens defense — bloodshed, a lot of smack talk, a lot of big hits. Guys are actually tackling out there a little bit. I don’t think we should be, but they’re looking good, man. I’m loving it.” On his attorney filing a complaint to block Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman from trademarking the term “EIGHT” to use on apparel: “That’s outside noise. I’m sticking to camp. We’re talking camp, football, that’s it.” Coming off a season in which he won his second MVP Award, led the Ravens to the AFC’s No. 1 seed and reached the AFC championship game for the first time, Jackson reiterated a point he’s made since his rookie year: Individual accolades and regular-season dominance give him only so much satisfaction. Like many Ravens fans, he sees the Super Bowl as a be-all, end-all. The road there begins in the summer heat, with friendly insults flying between teammates and children losing their minds each time No. 8 trots on the practice field. But success or failure will be determined in the biting cold of January and February. “This is the highest level of the game we play,” he said. “You’ve got to go out a champion, and that’s what I want to be labeled as — a champion. [I don’t] just want to be labeled as MVP here and there; I want to be a champion.” View the full article

Middle linebacker Roquan Smith needs to become the face of the organization and the unquestioned leader of the Ravens. Baltimore has some other players who can step up, but they all have limitations. Smith’s appeal is universal from the weight room to film study to on-the-field production to off-the-field charisma. Smith is ever-present. He attended every voluntary organized team activity, making a play or two every practice that made teammates and coaches shake their heads in disbelief. This is Smith’s team. “That’s exactly what he does, he does lead by example, but he does it every way,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s also a vocal leader, he’s also kind of an inspirational leader. He does it on the field, he does it in the weight room, he does it in the meeting room. He’s just one of those guys.” Every great team has strong leadership. Sometimes it can be provided through several player or positional groups. During the Ravens’ run to the Super Bowl title during the 2000 season, the backbone of that team were defensive linemen Tony Siraguasa, Sam Adams, Rob Burnett and Michael McCrary. Tight end Shannon Sharpe was the mouthpiece. After 2001, the Ravens became middle linebacker Ray Lewis’ team, and he helped lead the Ravens to another Super Bowl in 2012 shortly before the Pro Football Hall of Famer announced his retirement. Nobody has taken over that role since. They’ve had leaders, but nobody who transcends their side of the ball. Lamar Jackson is a great quarterback having won NFL Most Valuable Player Awards in 2019 and 2023, but he has a tendency to get caught up in himself. Tight end Mark Andrews practices as hard as any player in team history, but his presence is limited to offense. Defensive backs Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams and left tackle Ronnie Stanley have strong personalities, but injuries have limited their reach. Running back Derrick Henry has a dominant presence, but he didn’t join the team until March when he signed a two-year, $16 million contract. That brings us back to Smith. Great players make those around them better, and that was evident as soon as the Ravens traded for Roquan Smith on Halloween in 2022. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) “Yes, he’s a little more mature now. He’s getting older and all that stuff,” said inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone, who coached Smith in Chicago. “He’s the same great person [that] he’s always been. Day in and day out, the kind of person he is, the kind of man he is. I’ve got three boys; he’s their favorite player, and I’m happy about that. He is a better person than he is a player.” The Ravens need that type of leader. Sharpe would chastise teammates as much as opponents. Lewis would challenge offensive players as much or more than those on defense, and he could turn young guys into playmakers on game day. Smith is that kind of guy. On a day when receiver Rashod Bateman is sulking because he hasn’t touched the ball enough, Smith is the type of guy who can get in his face. Or maybe he can be that player who can whisper into the ears of either Harbaugh or offensive coordinator Todd Monken about running the ball more instead of throwing too much (see: AFC championship game). Great players make those around them better, and that was evident as soon as the Ravens traded for Smith on Halloween in 2022. Then-middle linebacker Patrick Queen was forced to the weak side position and finished as the team’s top tackler with 117 while Smith had 86 in half a season in Baltimore. Last year, Smith led the way with 158 tackles compared with 133 for Queen, whose second straight strong season helped him sign a three-year, $41 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. Queen’s replacement for this season, second-year performer Trenton Simpson, can’t wait to get into full pads and play next to Smith. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s energetic return, Isaiah Likely’s one-on-one wins and more Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson returns to Ravens practice after lengthy bout with illness: ‘He had a lot of energy’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on first practice in pads, another disruptive day for Odafe Oweh and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson under ‘further evaluation’ from medical staff after missing 4th practice Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned so far from Ravens training camp, including Odafe Oweh and Rashod Bateman stepping up “I love his personality, man. It’s amazing,” Simpson said of Smith. “When he comes around, he’s going to say something funny [or] make you laugh, so just that personality and that smile, it’s infectious to everybody around him. It makes you just like he always says, ‘Take advantage of every day. You never know when it’s going to be your last,’ so we’re playing football. “What other better job can you have? So, his personality, and the way he attacks it day after day, I feel like it impacts everybody around him, for sure.” Smith also has been learning from new defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who coached the inside linebackers the previous two seasons. Talk about an on-the-field coach? Orr is 32 while Smith is 27. “My first day here, I remember going up to his office, meeting, going over pretty much every play. There was a lot — my head was spinning a little bit, but he was very patient with me, and he was able to teach me the information that I would need in order to succeed playing a game within six days,” Smith said of Orr. “I think that’s a credit to how he gets down [and] how he’s about his business.” You could see Smith’s personality emerge by the middle of last season. He was the one delivering the pregame boomalacher much like Lewis did when it was Ray’s team. The Ravens last year had arguably the top defense in the league, but Smith doesn’t care. He is more concerned about 2024. “Last year doesn’t matter anymore,” he said. “It’s a new year, new team, but we still have a lot of these dogs on the team, and it’s just about staying hungry. We hunt as a pack, and I think of a safari and things like that, a pack of hyenas, lions whoever it is, [nobody] doesn’t want to run up on those guys. I feel like we have that mindset and guys on all three levels.” You can tell it is his team. View the full article

Lamar Jackson’s pass pierced the air, headed for Mark Andrews’ outstretched hands as the tight end carved space between two defenders. Andrews crashed to the ground with the ball secured, and all seemed right again in a Ravens world that had been temporarily unsettled by Jackson’s absence from training camp because of a persistent illness. Quarterback No. 1 returned for his first full practice of training camp Saturday after an aborted attempt to come back three days earlier, and his energy was infectious, lifting the team’s offense to its best performance of the week. Every move he made prompted a loving outcry from the hundreds of young fans watching closely. “Lamar brings that leader role but also obviously that smile,” tight end Isaiah Likely said. “It’s infectious for not only the offense but the whole team, knowing your leader is here.” Jackson wasn’t perfect. He threw behind Likely and into the arms of cornerback Marlon Humphrey on an early one-on-one rep. He overshot rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker on a deep ball in 11-on-11 work and handed Humphrey another pick when he sailed a throw over Nelson Agholor’s outstretched arms. But he dialed in as the practice rolled on, feathering a touch pass to Likely for a big gain in the middle of the field, finding Andrews for that catch in traffic and finishing the drive with a touchdown strike to Agholor. After that score, Jackson slapped hands or bumped helmets with every player on the offense, his enthusiasm making as strong an impression as his execution. He was no longer dragging as he had Wednesday, when he lasted about an hour as he struggled through the illness that had team doctors concerned enough to send him for precautionary tests. The unease associated with his absence faded quickly. Jackson looked like himself, and the Ravens were back to orbiting their star. Isaiah Likely gets the better of Kyle Hamilton As Likely pointed out, his matchups with his 2022 draft classmate have been training camp highlights for the past three years. As rookies, they seemed to line up against one another seven times a practice. It happens less frequently now, but when it does, it’s a treat to watch the fast, crafty, 6-foot-4 tight end try to create space against the fast, crafty 6-4 safety. Likely did just that Saturday, freezing Hamilton with a stutter step during a one-on-one rep and gliding down the sideline to catch an easy lob from Jackson. He beat Hamilton again later in practice. “When we see each other, we know, OK, this might be the only one I get,” Likely said of the friendly sparring. “So I can’t have him talking about me. Whether I win one or he wins one, we always want to talk and say, ‘Hey, why did you do that a certain way?’ Win, lose or draw on my rep, I always feel like I got better.” That kind of instructive competition helps mitigate the drudgery of training camp, he said. Likely became one of Jackson’s favorite targets down the stretch last season as he helped the team endure Andrews’ serious ankle injury. The Ravens hope the pair of gifted pass catchers will shine together in 2024. “It’s the chemistry between him and Lamar,” tight ends coach George Godsey said when asked what has him most excited about Likely’s third NFL season. “He’s a guy we’re moving all over the place. He’s getting the extra work. He’s asking the good questions. The chemistry is there. The communication, it’s been wonderful listening to him and Lamar work together.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson returns to Ravens practice after lengthy bout with illness: ‘He had a lot of energy’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on first practice in pads, another disruptive day for Odafe Oweh and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson under ‘further evaluation’ from medical staff after missing 4th practice Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned so far from Ravens training camp, including Odafe Oweh and Rashod Bateman stepping up Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Odafe Oweh? David Ojabo? Ravens pass rush comes down to Chuck Smith. | COMMENTARY Marlon Humphrey finishes a stellar opening week Humphrey’s two interceptions against Jackson capped a standout week for the veteran cornerback as he aims to bounce back from an injury-marred 2023 season. He said he’s about 10 pounds lighter than he was last year, when he could not escape injuries that sidelined him for seven regular-season games and the Ravens’ postseason opener. “He’s moving super good. He looks great to me,” coach John Harbaugh said, noting with a grin that he and Humphrey also engaged in a “spirited” discussion about the cornerback’s first step in press coverage. Zay Flowers absent; Trayvon Mullen leaves with shoulder injury Harbaugh said he excused Flowers from Saturday’s practice so the second-year wide receiver could attend a wedding. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen, meanwhile, left early after he fell on his shoulder, an injury Harbaugh said will be reassessed when the team returns to work Monday after a day off. Honoring Jacoby Jones Harbaugh said Saturday’s practice was dedicated to Jacoby Jones, the former Ravens wide receiver and All-Pro kick returner who died July 14 at 40 years old. The funeral for Jones, the star of Baltimore’s Super Bowl 47 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, was held Saturday in his hometown of New Orleans. Executive vice president Ozzie Newsome, kicker Justin Tucker, former Ravens and current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco and senior special teams coach Randy Brown were among those expected to attend. The Ravens also handed out bandanas and wristbands with Jones’ No. 12 jersey number. “In honor of Jacoby and his amazing energy and smile and love for the game and love for life, we’ll dedicate that effort to him,” Harbaugh said. View the full article

Lamar Jackson is back. After the Ravens quarterback missed four of the team’s first five practices with a prolonged illness, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player returned to the field Saturday in Owings Mills. It was his first time practicing since a brief appearance Wednesday, when he left looking weary after about an hour and only a few repetitions. Jackson became ill last Saturday on the eve of the start of training camp and was sent home the next day before practice. He’s been mostly absent since while being evaluated and receiving care from the Ravens’ medical team. Before Saturday’s practice, however, he posted a video from inside the team’s locker room on Instagram and later took the field. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on first practice in pads, another disruptive day for Odafe Oweh and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson under ‘further evaluation’ from medical staff after missing 4th practice Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned so far from Ravens training camp, including Odafe Oweh and Rashod Bateman stepping up Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Odafe Oweh? David Ojabo? Ravens pass rush comes down to Chuck Smith. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 10 Ravens, other than Lamar Jackson, who will determine Super Bowl fate “He’s fighting through an illness, working with our doctors, doing all the tests, even more tests, to make sure we have everything covered,” coach John Harbaugh said Friday, adding that he was confident Jackson would return pretty soon. Harbaugh is scheduled to speak to reporters again Saturday afternoon. The Ravens had hoped the 27-year-old star quarterback would return to practice Friday but had to wait another day before he was able to return. In the meantime, Josh Johnson, Baltimore’s 38-year-old backup, has been filling in with the first-team offense, with rookies Devin Leary and Emory Jones also getting reps. Jackson is coming off a season in which he set career highs in passing yards and completion percentage while leading the Ravens to an NFL-best 13-4 regular-season record and an appearance in the AFC championship game. The start of the Ravens’ season is 40 days away, with Baltimore traveling to Kansas City to face the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium in a rematch of last season’s conference title game. This article will be updated. View the full article

Friday marked a key turning point in training camp as the Ravens donned pads for the first time, creating opportunities for coaches to evaluate players battling along the line of scrimmage. “This is the start of football,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We’ve done all the stuff we needed to do to prepare for today, and then you get to today, and you start evaluating football.” As has been the case since camp opened last weekend, defenders spent much of the afternoon crashing into the backfield to stifle an attack that’s still missing ailing quarterback Lamar Jackson. Coaches were nonetheless measured in their assessments of an offensive line that’s operating with just two established starters, center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley. “The lines both looked good,” Harbaugh said. “What you don’t want to do is see guys get crazy with their technique when they come out and put the pads on. But I felt like we didn’t. They stayed square. They stayed in control. They had their feet underneath themselves. We didn’t have a bunch of mistakes. A little bit, but not too many mental errors, not too much jumping offsides.” Offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said he saw plenty of good blocks from his group and some that needed fixing. “You saw hustle, you saw effort, you saw finish,” he said. Harbaugh has said he’d like to have a grip on who will start beside Linderbaum and Stanley going into the team’s first preseason game Aug. 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles. On Friday, he described that as a “best-case scenario” given that the Ravens are experimenting with various alignments, using Daniel Faalele at right guard, for example, instead of at his more familiar right tackle spot. “Is that unrealistic?” Harbaugh said of nailing down a plan over the next two weeks. “I don’t necessarily expect it to be the case. The game is a big deal. If you go into that first week with a good idea and the game confirms everything, then you feel great. If you don’t, then OK, you just keep working the guys in as you go.” Regardless, competition for those three open jobs began in earnest Friday. “It really is too early to make any statements,” Harbaugh said. “Today’s when you start getting more of a good feel. Until the pads come on, you can’t make any determinations on offensive line play.” Odafe Oweh continues to bring the pressure Earlier this week, Harbaugh acknowledged that he had to have a quick chat with the fourth-year pass rusher about staying off his quarterbacks and blowing up drills with his relentless pass rush. With the pads on, Oweh unleashed more fury Friday, beating Stanley twice during the first five reps of full-team drills for would be sacks, capping what had already been a standout week for him. Oweh will be even more vital to the team’s pash rush after Jadeveon Clowney took his talents — 9 1/2 sacks and 19 quarterback hits in 2023 — to the Carolina Panthers. The Ravens picked up his fifth-year option in the offseason, betting he still has plenty of room to grow. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr thinks Oweh is one of many who will cover for the loss of Clowney’s production. “I think the production can be made by a lot of those guys. [There are] a lot of candidates in that room, specifically,” Orr said Wednesday. “Obviously, you’ve got David Ojabo, and we’ve got Kyle Van Noy back, which helps out. ‘Daf’ [ Oweh] — we expect him to have a big year.” Secondary showcases new way to dominate With Jackson out again, the Ravens’ secondary took advantage of some tight coverage and errant throws from quarterbacks Devin Leary, Josh Johnson and Emory Jones, snagging three more interceptions today. In addition to picks from Bump Cooper Jr., Daryl Worley and Sanoussi Kane, the secondary pulled out something new: blitzes. Several defensive backs rushed off the edge untouched for would-be sacks, with Authur Maulet and Brandon Stephens leading the charge. Former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald leaned on the unit’s depth and versatility to generate big plays in 2023, and Orr will look to do the same this season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson under ‘further evaluation’ from medical staff after missing 4th practice Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned so far from Ravens training camp, including Odafe Oweh and Rashod Bateman stepping up Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Odafe Oweh? David Ojabo? Ravens pass rush comes down to Chuck Smith. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 10 Ravens, other than Lamar Jackson, who will determine Super Bowl fate Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s brief return, practicing new kickoff rules and more Time for another rookie to be crowned? Earlier this week, “Nasty Nate” was born as Marlon Humphrey forced Nate Wiggins, the team’s first-round draft pick, to reveal his nickname to the world. After Friday’s practice, it might be time for another rookie to do the same. Fourth-round pick Devontez Walker turned heads with a series of impressive grabs, standing up to challenges when Wiggins and other cornerbacks tried to jam him at the line of scrimmage. Practice ended in fitting passion after sixth-round pick Leary threw a back shoulder fade to Walker, who made an impressive grab for a touchdown over …”Nasty Nate”. If Walker keeps making plays like that, he’ll get a nickname of his own soon enough. Kyle Van Noy misses practice Other than Jackson, the veteran outside linebacker was the only player freshly absent from Friday’s padded session. Harbaugh said Van Noy, who returned to Baltimore on a two-year deal worth up to $9 million, was dealing with minor neck soreness. The 33-year-old is coming off a career year in which he had nine sacks in 14 games after joining the team as a free agent in late September. View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent from training camp practice Friday for the fourth time this week. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has been sidelined because of an undisclosed illness. In a statement Friday, the Ravens said that Jackson “continues to undergo further evaluation and receive care from our medical team.” Coach John Harbaugh is scheduled to speak to reporters after practice Friday afternoon. Jackson returned to practice Wednesday in Owings Mills but walked off the field, helmet in hand, with a few members of the team’s training staff after just one hour. Harbaugh said Tuesday of Jackson’s extended absence that it was “just a matter of when the doctors are going to clear him and he’s going to feel good enough.” The star quarterback is coming off a season in which he set career highs in passing yards and completion percentage while leading the Ravens to an NFL-best 13-4 regular-season record and an appearance in the AFC championship game. At 27 years old, he became the youngest player to be named NFL MVP twice. In Jackson’s absence, 38-year-old veteran Josh Johnson, rookie sixth-round draft pick Devin Leary and undrafted rookie Emory Jones have been taking the snaps during practice and have mostly struggled. After practicing in “shells” — helmets and shoulder pads — for the first four days of camp, the team held its first full padded practice Friday. This story will be updated. View the full article

The first four days of Ravens training camp have been a medley of football activity. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been sick and mostly absent. His backups have, at best, looked the part. The offensive line battle has yet to materialize. One of the NFL’s best defenses from a season ago, despite several changes in personnel and among the coaching staff, has been as stifling as the hot weather. Still, there was plenty to be gleaned from the practices, which will take a step up in intensity with the addition of pads Friday as players return after a day off. Here’s what we learned so far: The defense has vastly outperformed the offense It’s to be expected this time of year — particularly when Jackson isn’t on the field — but Baltimore’s defense, from its pass rush to its secondary, has dominated. Turnovers were a consistent theme throughout the week, with Wednesday’s session the nadir of the offense’s struggles (or the peak of the defense’s abilities, depending on the perspective). Quarterbacks threw a whopping six interceptions, many of which were poor throws, poor decisions or both. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who has dropped about 10 pounds in an effort to play faster and remain healthy, unlike last season, had two of them. And even though one landed in his lap on a wildly overthrown ball from Jackson in the middle of the field, he has been sticky in coverage, whether it’s been against Rashod Bateman or others. “He’s one of the fastest guys on the team,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. “I’m excited for him to get back to who he is.” Humphrey has hardly been the only defensive back to look good, too. Rookie first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins, veteran Arthur Maulet, Jalyn Armour-Davis and Trayvon Mullen have all had interceptions. Ditto for Hamilton and fellow safeties Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson. Corners Brandon Stephens, Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams have all performed well. “Anytime they get their hands on a ball, that’s pretty good,” pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt said. “We’ve got a lot of talented guys back there. We’ve got length; we’ve got speed; we’ve got guys who [are] pit bulls. We’ve got it all, guys who come up and tackle. We’re a very talented group back there.” Also causing problems for the Ravens’ offense so far: outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, defensive tackle Travis Jones and veteran Brent Urban, among others. “He’s bringing it,” Harbaugh said of Oweh. “He’s pretty much been in the backfield every play.” Even undrafted rookies Tramel Walthour and C.J. Ravenell, both long shots to make the roster, have made a couple of nice plays. Rashod Bateman has looked like a WR1 All throughout the building, the talk about the Ravens’ enigmatic but talented Bateman is that the expectation for the receiver is to have a big year. “We’re expecting great things from him, and he is from himself,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “He’s expected to be a top receiver in the league for us,” Harbaugh said. “I think his best football is ahead of him,” general manager Eric DeCosta said in April after signing Bateman to a two-year, $12 million extension. “I just feel like he’s a really, really talented player who has had some bad luck with injuries. I think he’s got a very bright future.” So far, he’s shined. On the first day of camp, Bateman hauled in a pass and spun to the outside for what would have been a big gain had he not slipped. The next day in the rain, he made a 25-yard catch after beating Stephens down the sideline and later added a 20-yarder over the middle. Tuesday, he caught a deep pass down the sideline despite Humphrey appearing to get a hand on the ball. Later in the same practice, he broke free over the middle and showed off his speed by getting to the outside for big chunk. Now Baltimore just needs to get him and Jackson on the field together. At the other end of the receiver group, Dayton Wade, an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi, has made a handful of nice plays — most notably catching a 47-yard bomb from rookie Devin Leary in tight coverage. That kind of performance could land Wade a spot on the 53-man roster or more likely the practice squad. It’s a crowded race, though, with the top four receiver spots on the roster pretty much locked up between Bateman, Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and rookie fourth-round pick Devontez Walker (though Walker has been inconsistent so far). Assuming the Ravens carry six receivers on the 53-man roster, one of those spots is likely to go to returner-receiver Deonte Harty with the last possibly up for grabs between Tylan Wallace, Sean Ryan, Isaiah Washington and Wade. Ravens offensive linemen hit the pads during practice. The line has three starting spots open, but much is left to be decided. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Offensive line positions still TBD The battles for the two open guard spots and right tackle job won’t truly start to shake out until players are in pads and thus going full speed in the trenches. Still, there have been some interesting developments so far. Notably, 6-foot-8, 380-pound Daniel Faalele has been getting a lot of reps at right guard. “He’s a big man, but he can move his feet,” Harbaugh said. “He can also bend and create leverage. When you’ve got that kind of size when you’re coming off the ball and some of those combination blocks, we feel like he’s got a chance with Tyler [Linderbaum] to move people in there. “He keeps working on using his hands. [When] things happen quicker, you have to get your hands up quicker, you have to get your hands on people a little quicker — he’s working on that part of it, too — so we’ll see how he adapts.” Meanwhile, Andrew Vorhees, who missed all of last season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during the NFL scouting combine, looks to have the inside track at left guard, though he did get pushed around a few times by Michael Pierce. At right tackle, versatile veteran Patrick Mekari, rookie Roger Rosengarten and Faalele look to be in the mix. Guards Ben Cleveland and Josh Jones have been less impactful, unless you count their presnap penalties. Derrick Henry is, unsurprisingly, as advertised When Henry wasn’t swatting away insipid social media opprobrium from a Tennessee Titans beat writer or leaving new teammates in awe over his mix of size and athleticism, he was busy getting adapted to his first training camp somewhere other than Tennessee for the first time the same way he always does. “Training camp is just work,” he said. “It’s the same. I don’t think you try to make too much of it being somewhere different. You’re going to work regardless [of] wherever you’re at.” One of the biggest free agent splashes of the NFL offseason, his addition to Baltimore’s backfield gives the Ravens perhaps the league’s most dynamic duo in Henry and Jackson. Interestingly, there was some initial concern about how the 6-3, 247-pound two-time NFL rushing leader would blend in both in style and function with an offense that operates mostly from the shotgun or pistol formations, but Henry seems to have assuaged whatever uncertainty there was. Most of that is because of his work ethic, quick feet and ability to break tackles. Much like the offensive line, Henry will be able to showcase his skills much more often once he’s in pads, but so far he’s glided inside, been the target of passes on the outside and showed plenty of speed, even at age 30, in getting to the corner. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Odafe Oweh? David Ojabo? Ravens pass rush comes down to Chuck Smith. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 10 Ravens, other than Lamar Jackson, who will determine Super Bowl fate Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s brief return, practicing new kickoff rules and more Baltimore Ravens | Fourth day of Ravens training camp | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Gov. Wes Moore takes in Ravens camp, talks presidential race and Key Bridge Backup quarterbacks struggle The reality of today’s NFL is that with Jackson getting paid $52 million per year, the Ravens simply can’t afford to invest much in whoever is backing him up. Enter 38-year-old Josh Johnson, who returned to Baltimore on a one-year deal worth just over $1 million. The Ravens also spent a sixth-round draft pick on Leary and have undrafted free agent Emory Jones, who played any Florida, Arizona State and Cincinnati. It’s just four days of camp, two are rookies and they’re all going against one of the league’s best defenses, but none of the quarterbacks have looked sharp, including Johnson, who threw three interceptions in Wednesday’s practice. Still, the position is an important one. Though Jackson was largely healthy and played a full season last year, injuries cost him significant time during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The Ravens seem content with Johnson as the backup, so it seems unlikely they will add to the room anytime soon — even with former Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill still among those available in free agency. View the full article

Outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith was the Ravens’ unsung hero last season. This year, Baltimore will need another strong effort from him to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Gone is the team’s top outside threat from a year ago in Jadeveon Clowney, who had 9 1/2 of the Ravens’ league-leading 60 sacks. They still have tackle Justin Madubuike, who recorded a team-leading 13 sacks in 2023, but the rest of the pass rushers — with the exception of veteran Kyle Van Noy — are unproven. Smith became the pass rushing guru last season, his first with the team. He had 58 1/2 sacks in his nine-year NFL career, eight of those with Atlanta and one with Carolina. At the NFL owners meetings in late March, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that he expected young outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Oweh to have breakout seasons. That’s a stretch even with Smith, who was hired two years too late. The Ravens had only 34 sacks in 2021 and 48 in 2022. “I’d probably say the mentality of being a dominant pass rusher,” Oweh said of what he has learned from Smith. “Something that he always says is, ‘Finish the rep with a rip,’ so you know, he’s bringing that as well. Just trying to be a savant in pass rushing. He brings that to the table.” Like most teams in the NFL, the Ravens rely on a lot of pressure packages, especially off the edges with linebackers and defensive backs. But in the postseason, the best teams usually advance by winning individual matchups along the front four, which is what the Kansas City Chiefs did to the Ravens in the AFC championship game with four sacks in a 17-10 victory. New Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr is working to find the right combinations, but he believes he has the talent. “I think the production can be made by a lot of those guys, a lot of candidates in that room,” Orr said of his outside linebackers. “Obviously, you’ve got David Ojabo, and we’ve got Kyle, which helps out. ‘Daf’ [Oweh] — we expect him to have a big year. ‘T-Rob’ [Tavius Robinson], Malik Hamm … I mean, there are a lot of guys. But I don’t think the production just has to come from that room. “You mentioned Travis Jones earlier. Madubuike, Michael Pierce, ‘Broddy’ [Broderick] Washington. That whole front, the linebackers, blitzes.” Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh practices shedding blockers with assistant linebackers coach Matt Robinson during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) It’s understandable why Orr is so excited. Training camp is less than a week old and coaches always praise their players, but there are more questions than answers. Oweh has been outstanding in camp, but he showed the same dominance in 2022. Then he disappeared in the second half of the season and finished with three sacks. The Ravens picked up Oweh’s fifth-year option in late April, which keeps him under contract through 2025, but this is his fourth season in the NFL. Thirteen career sacks is not enough for a former first-round pick. “He’s looked very good,” Harbaugh said of Oweh in this training camp. “I’m hoping that he has — I guess you’d call it a breakout year if you want to call it that, make those plays on the quarterback. He had a lot of pressures last year and wants to take it to the next level and go ahead and get the quarterback on the ground. “I’m sure he wants to do that, and then just continue to be an explosive player. I mean he can really move and run around and be disruptive. That’s what I’m hoping for and expecting.” The Ravens have the same wishful thinking for Ojabo, a second-round pick out of Michigan in 2022. But Ojabo was placed on injured reserve during his rookie season with a torn Achilles tendon and then again in September last year with a torn ACL. In two years, he has played in five games with only four tackles and one sack. “Breakout” might not be the right term. He needs to just get on the field consistently. “He is ready,” Oweh said of Ojabo, his former high school teammate. “He’s just waiting to show you guys all that when it’s sharpened and ready. I have complete faith in him. He’s a guy who just wants everything to be all together before he shows you. He’s going to be ready, trust me.” Ravens defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, center, tries to shield blockers during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Oweh spent some time training with Ojabo and Madubuike in Atlanta during the offseason. They wanted to get some tips from Madubuike, especially after he signed a four-year, $98 million contract in early March. They were all ears. “Yes, I had to tap in,” Oweh said. “‘What were you doing, man? Was it something that you were eating or what you’re watching?’ It was good to see him work and have a good camaraderie with the brothers.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned so far from Ravens training camp, including Odafe Oweh and Rashod Bateman stepping up Baltimore Ravens | 10 Ravens, other than Lamar Jackson, who will determine Super Bowl fate Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s brief return, practicing new kickoff rules and more Baltimore Ravens | Fourth day of Ravens training camp | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Gov. Wes Moore takes in Ravens camp, talks presidential race and Key Bridge The Ravens still have Van Noy, an 11-year veteran at the age of 33. There were some teams in the NFL who gave up on him last season, but he played well for the Ravens. This year, Van Noy will probably draw more attention from offensive lines because Clowney is no longer on the other side, having signed with Carolina in late March. That’s even more reason why Oweh and Ojabo have to play well. The Ravens, though, have some other interesting young prospects such as the 6-6, 262-pound Robinson, a fourth-round pick last season from Mississippi. They also have Hamm, a 2023 undrafted free agent from Lafayette and City College, and Trenton Simpson, who is expected to start in place of inside linebacker Patrick Queen after he left for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Queen became a pass-rushing threat once the Ravens gave him the freedom to roam after moving him from the middle to the weak side nearly a year and a half ago. He finished with five sacks each of the past two seasons. Simpson, a third-round pick out of Clemson in 2023, has as much speed, but nowhere near the experience. “I think it’s a talented roster, so, me, honestly, I’m not really surprised in any type of way,” Orr said. “Now, once we start getting the pads on and really start getting to some real, real football, I think guys will start to maybe separate themselves, and we’ll be able to see.” Translation: Smith has to become the unsung hero again. “You guys didn’t even know that we were going to get 60 sacks last year, so it’s just kind of the same mentality,” Oweh said. “We’re just trying to hunt. We’re going to continue to hunt and continue to get better under Chuck. We still have Kyle. Kyle made a lot of great plays for us, as well. I’m very grateful for what Jadeveon brought and what he also taught me and everything, but it’s the next man up. So, we’re ready.” View the full article

It’s all too easy to say the Ravens’ chances to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in 12 years will come down to quarterback Lamar Jackson’s performance in January. Duh. Jackson is the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player who ensures the Ravens will be a contender to reckon with every year that he’s healthy. He’s also the guy who has performed well below his usual level in the Ravens’ last four playoff losses, including their AFC championship game dud six months ago. But they weren’t the best regular-season team in the league only because of Jackson, and their chances of regaining such momentum in 2024 don’t rest entirely on his shoulders. With training camp just getting started, here’s a look at the other players who might determine the Ravens’ playoff fate, the only measuring stick left for a team that has accomplished everything it can short of reaching the biggest game. Safety Marcus Williams Williams has played just 21 of a possible 34 games since the Ravens signed him to a $70 million deal before the 2022 season and was hampered by the pectoral injury he suffered in Week 1 even when he did start last season. The Ravens still had the league’s best pass defense — they allowed 4.7 yards per attempt and forced 31 turnovers — in part because Geno Stone to stepped in for Williams on the back end, leaving Kyle Hamilton free to rove. Give Williams credit as well for remaining effective in coverage when he could not hit or chase the ball with his usual abandon. He’s a tough, dedicated player. But with Stone in Cincinnati, the Ravens will need more from their highest-priced safety, whose ability to disrupt deep shots should work hand in glove with Hamilton’s do-it-all game wrecking. The Ravens added a proven No. 3 at the position in veteran Eddie Jackson, but in an ideal world, Williams and Hamilton would play almost every snap for first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Guard Andrew Vorhees The Ravens said goodbye to starting right tackle Morgan Moses and starting guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler, betting that now’s the time to kick off a youth movement on their offensive line. No one epitomizes that bet more than Vorhees, who sat out last year as he recovered from the torn ACL he suffered preparing for the 2023 draft. The Ravens dipped back into the seventh round to snag the seasoned blocker from USC, who likely would have been picked three our four rounds higher had he been healthy. Given all the snaps he played in college and the time he spent learning the Ravens’ system while he rehabbed last season, the powerful Vorhees is not a typical rookie. Of the seven players competing to fill starting jobs around left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum, Vorhees probably checks the most boxes. “Andrew is a driven young man,” offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said. “His injury, how he’s come back, he’s just done a heck of a job so far.” Coach John Harbaugh hopes to have most of his starting line set a week or two into camp, with perhaps one spot up for grabs going into the preseason. If Vorhees could lock down the left guard job quickly and begin a long run as a dependable starter, he would bring significant clarity to the team’s most unsettled position group. Outside linebacker David Ojabo The Ravens tried to steal a first-round talent with a second-round pick, but Ojabo has played just five games in two years and is still recuperating from the knee surgery that wiped out most of his 2023 season. He’s expected to be full-go a few weeks into training camp, and the Ravens hope to finally see what they have in the former Michigan standout. They squeezed terrific production out of their edge group last year because late additions Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy exceeded expectations. Van Noy is back, Clowney is not. They also picked up Odafe Oweh’s fifth-year option, indicating they believe he’s still a player on the rise. That leaves Oweh’s high school pal, Ojabo, as the wild card. He has the physical tools to replace a chunk of Clowney’s production, at least as a pass rusher. But with just one standout college season under his belt, he would have been a developmental prospect even if he had gone into the 2022 draft healthy. Instead, he’s had most of his first two years wiped out by serious injuries. The Ravens have to pray this is the year his terrible luck turns, because they need him. 2023 NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore RavensKarl Merton Ferron/Baltimore SunRunning back Keaton Mitchell could give the Ravens a late-season adrenaline shot, much as he did last season when he averaged 8.4 yards per carry over a six-game span. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Running back Keaton Mitchell Mitchell is the one Raven we know won’t be ready for the start of the season, though his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered last December is proceeding well, Harbaugh said. If he remains on track, he could give the Ravens a late-season adrenaline shot, much as he did last season when he averaged 8.4 yards per carry over a six-game span. He was so quick he looked like a video game character dropped into NFL reality. Imagine the counterpoint he might offer to Derrick Henry’s power or the havoc he might unleash under the league’s new kickoff rules. It’s a lot to ask a running back to cut and accelerate at 100% coming off major knee surgery. It’s also hard not to dream on the possibilities for the Ravens’ offense if Mitchell resembles the guy from last year. Inside linebacker Trenton Simpson The Ravens did not push hard to bring back Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen or to add a veteran starting candidate in his place. That amounted to a giant vote of confidence in Simpson, who has earned raves from teammates and coaches for his athletic gifts and eagerness to learn. He could not have a better on-field partner and off-field mentor than Roquan Smith, and Smith’s presence will allow him to hunt for big plays from the weak side without the responsibility of conducting the defense from the middle. Still, it’s a big step up for a second-year guy who essentially played one game on defense last season. Queen played more than 1,000 defensive snaps each of the last two years and brought significant production as a blitzer in addition to his work against the run. Simpson will likely commit his share of gaffes as he learns on the job, but the Ravens will live with those if he compensates with turnovers, sacks and tackles for loss. No one on the Ravens faces a more pivotal season than left tackle Ronnie Stanley. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Left tackle Ronnie Stanley No one on the team faces a more pivotal season than Stanley, who could set himself up for another significant pay day or confront his NFL mortality if he’s sidelined by another significant injury. His performance will be essential to the Ravens, who are counting on him to protect Jackson’s blind side and lead a young, still-cohering offensive line. Stanley was present and engaged for all summer workouts and said he feels the best he has since 2020. He was optimistic going into last season as well, only to suffer an early knee injury that robbed him of mobility and fluidity. He freely acknowledged he was not himself, though he did play his best games at the end of the season. Whether or not the Ravens see Stanley as their left tackle past this year, they don’t have a short-term succession plan. They need him to be good — at least 2022 level — and reasonably durable to reach their offensive potential in 2024. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s brief return, practicing new kickoff rules and more Baltimore Ravens | Fourth day of Ravens training camp | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Gov. Wes Moore takes in Ravens camp, talks presidential race and Key Bridge Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice after missing time with illness before exiting early Baltimore Ravens | Slimmer and healthier, Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey could be key for positionless secondary Cornerback Marlon Humphrey We don’t talk about Humphrey in the same terms as Stanley, but he was drafted the year after the left tackle, signed a similarly lucrative extension and is also trying to prove he has not lost a step to injuries. Foot surgery cost him the start of last season, and a calf strain limited him to 13 snaps in the AFC championship game. He also missed five games in 2021, and at age 28, he’s four years removed from his last peak season (though he did make the Pro Bowl in 2022). The Ravens are paying Humphrey to be one of the league’s best, most versatile corners. If he’s not that in 2024, perhaps they will opt to extend Brandon Stephens and roll with him and first-round draft pick Nate Wiggins as their cornerback duo of the future, cutting Humphrey for cap savings. They’d rather see a vintage season from Humphrey, whose talent for shifting inside could facilitate potent lineups featuring him, Stephens and Wiggins together. Tight end Isaiah Likely Likely’s talent is not in question. After Mark Andrews went down last season, he quickly became one of Jackson’s favorite targets and one of the team’s top touchdown producers. The Ravens delivered their most resounding performances of the season with him as their starting tight end. Can offensive coordinator Todd Monken create such opportunities for Likely when he’s on the field with Andrews? That’s the unanswered question. The two tight ends speak glowingly of one another and of the problems they’ll create as complementary weapons. “That’s tough to game plan for,” Andrews said in May. The reality, however, is that Likely did not catch a touchdown pass and at times hardly factored while Andrews was going strong last year. Will the problem take care of itself now that Jackson trusts both tight ends, or will he still instinctively look for Andrews in a pinch? Will Monken rotate them more frequently to give Likely opportunities and keep Andrews healthy? The Ravens need to find answers, because Likely is too good to disappear from their offense for weeks at a time. The Ravens would love it if defensive tackle Travis Jones demands more snaps this season. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Defensive tackle Travis Jones Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike broke out last year and earned a hearty extension. Could Jones, who took a more subtle step forward in his second season, be the next Ravens defensive lineman to emerge? As an interior monster, he’s unlikely to match Madubuike’s sack total, but the 6-foot-4, 338-pound Jones was regarded as a third-round draft steal, much like Madubuike. Teammates gush about what he could become, much like they did after watching a rookie Madubuike burst off the line of scrimmage. Michael Pierce was still the Ravens’ No. 1 option at nose tackle last year, and he’s back, but they would love it if the younger, more agile Jones demands more snaps. That would set up a natural succession in one of the team’s most stable position groups. “He is a special human first — a special man — and then a special football player,” Ravens defensive line coach Dennis Johnson said. “He’s talented, and he wants it just as a bad as anybody you’d be around.” Wide receiver Rashod Bateman Other than Jackson, there’s no more debated player on the roster than Bateman, the 2021 first-round draft pick who’s still searching for NFL success. Some fans couldn’t believe the Ravens extended him based on 93 catches in three seasons. Others can’t stop wondering why Jackson won’t throw him the ball when he’s open all the time. Harbaugh and Eric DeCosta have said they expect a splendid season from Bateman. Jackson and Monken have said he needs to be targeted more frequently. He was the most dynamic playmaker on the field the last day of mandatory minicamp, 24 hours after he seemed underused and disengaged in the team’s penultimate workout. He’s been a standout so far in training camp. Which Bateman will we see this season? He’s healthy, and with Odell Beckham Jr. out of the picture, he won’t have to fight to get on the field with 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers. No receiver on the roster is better at creating separation off the line of scrimmage. Bateman’s time is here. View the full article

There was a buzz in Owings Mills that had been absent through the first three days of training camp. It wasn’t for Gov. Wes Moore, who donned a Ravens jersey, took photos with fans and chatted with players. Lamar Jackson was back. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player returned after missing the first three practices with an illness, albeit for a short time. The 27-year-old quarterback attended meetings Wednesday morning, then jogged onto the field to roars from the bleachers, full of fans hopeful he’d finally show. He left quietly about an hour later. “It’s great having him back today,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “But I don’t feel behind. We didn’t stop. We still installed.” While on the field, Jackson showed what the Ravens have been missing, but he also displayed the side effects of his absence. His first play of the 11-on-11 period drew a false start flag on tackle Josh Jones. Later, he peppered Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman with targets. Jackson ended the session with several consecutive incompletions and was intercepted by cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Jackson departed shortly after. The Ravens are off Thursday, giving the quarterback another day to recuperate, then return Friday for the first padded practice of camp. Defense shines again Safety Marcus Williams started the full-team session with a pick-six against backup Josh Johnson on the opening play, the first of seven interceptions from the defense Wednesday. Humphrey had two, Trayvon Mullen added a pair, Kyle Hamilton intercepted rookie quarterback Devin Leary, then Jalyn Armour-Davis snatched an end zone fade from Johnson to Andrews in the air to put the cap on a suffocating defensive showing. “I give a lot of credit to [general manager] Eric [DeCosta] and his staff for putting this roster together,” pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt said. “We got a lot of talented guys back there. We got speed. We got guys who are pit bulls. We got it all.” The Ravens’ defense has severely outplayed the offense through four days of camp. Three of those were without Jackson, but the unit’s domination continued even with him back. Baltimore’s secondary figures to be deeper than it has in recent years. That depth has already flashed often. Humphrey slimmed down and said he feels better than he has in years. Williams has recovered from injuries that hindered him in 2023. First-round pick Nate Wiggins, veteran safety Eddie Jackson and rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa (sidelined after sports hernia surgery) will provide more options and allow first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr and Hewitt to tinker with different combinations in nickel and dime packages. “We got a lot of smart guys. We got a lot of high-IQ football players,” Orr said. “The more you can do, the better. If you’re a linebacker, you need to know both spots. If you’re a DB, you need to know every spot in the secondary. If you’re up front, you need to know every spot up front. The higher IQ they have, the more they can handle.” Ravens embracing new kickoff rules Special teams coordinator Chris Horton spent his offseason and the early stages of camp trying to master the NFL’s new kickoff rules that will give those plays a wildly different look. Kickoffs will still begin from the kicking team’s 35-yard line. But under the new rules, the kicking team’s tacklers will line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line and cannot move until the ball is caught or hits the ground. The receiving team will align between its 30- and 35-yard line, giving both sides a 5-yard buffer zone, and it too can’t move until the ball is caught or hits the ground. Adopted this offseason but first displayed by the XFL, the NFL hopes the new alignment prevents high-speed collisions that were frequent in traditional kickoffs while encouraging more returns. “It actually has been pretty fun, putting together different schemes,” Horton said. “We had six days this spring to kind of work those things — that’s not a lot of time, and that was with the players in shorts and T-shirts. As the pads start to come on, we’ll start to find out a little bit more about the play. The Ravens will continue to tinker with possibilities throughout camp and refine their strategies in the preseason with the hope they maintain their status as one of the league’s premier special teams units. Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman greets young fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility Wednesday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Rashod Bateman continues to impress While many expect Flowers and Andrews to have big years, the pass catcher that has looked the best so far might be 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman. “I think he’s always had a belief in himself as a player,” Monken said. “We’re expecting a big year from Rashod [Bateman]. We’re expecting great things from him, and he is from himself.” Bateman had another solid day despite the struggling backup quarterbacks, showcasing what he can do now that he’s healthy and a full participant from Day 1. After Bateman signed a three-year, $15 million contract extension this offseason, everyone has raved about how the receiver has looked this summer. If that momentum translates to more production, the offense could reach a new level. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Fourth day of Ravens training camp | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Gov. Wes Moore takes in Ravens camp, talks presidential race and Key Bridge Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice after missing time with illness before exiting early Baltimore Ravens | Slimmer and healthier, Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey could be key for positionless secondary Baltimore Ravens | Third day of Ravens training camp | PHOTOS Paying the price Lapses in judgment and mistakes are sure to happen during the early stages of training camp, as evidenced by the increasing amount of Ravens offensive linemen taking a punishment lap around the field after committing a false start penalty. On Wednesday, that dishonor went to Josh Jones and Ben Cleveland, as several offensive linemen committed a false start for the third straight day. With some spots on the line yet to be solidified, Monken explained the confidence that he and offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris have in the unit. The pair is tasked with replacing three starters from last year and finalizing who will be protecting Jackson and opening holes for running back Derrick Henry. “Joe’s going to have a big voice and we’ve got the talent,” Monken said. “We think those guys can play, we just need to get them out there and see who takes advantage of the opportunity.” Mike Preston sounds off Jackson finally participated in practice, mostly in the first segment, but the Ravens need him to return quickly before a receiver gets hurt. The quarterbacks threw six interceptions Wednesday, with a lot of them over the outstretched arms of intended targets. It is easy to see that some of the receivers are getting frustrated with the poorly thrown passes. Midway through practice, veteran receiver Nelson Agholor gave up on a poorly thrown pass on a 15-yard out route. That’s what is known as a “business decision” in the NFL. There is no use getting hurt in practice. Later in practice, Andrews seemed irritated on an underthrown pass that virtually gave him no chance of making a catch in the right corner of the end zone. It’s a good thing the Ravens aren’t having practice Thursday. That gives Jackson more time to rest and get healthy. Jackson showed very little energy during his time on the field and was off his game. Regardless, the Ravens’ best play in 2024 will still be Jackson improvising and running around to make plays. It was basically a “brother-in-law” day on the interior lines, as both units seemed more content to go through the motions instead of challenging each other. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley didn’t have a good day, and that could be said about the right side of the offensive line as well. The defense is expected to be ahead of the offense after only three days of training camp, but it will be interesting to see what happens when the full pads go on. The team has practiced in “shells,” helmets and shoulder pads, to start camp. Rookie receiver Devontez Walker, a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina, had a good day with several catches in which he was able to find soft spots in the defense. One of those was a roughly 20-yard grab on an out pattern near the left sideline in which he got both feet in bounds before stepping out. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has his offensive linemen running a lap when they jump offsides, but it was amusing watching both 344-pound Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and 305-pound Cleveland attempt to jog after being called for penalties. It was a leisurely stroll in which they cut the distance short. Next time, Coach, just call an Uber. View the full article

Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson #17 and Emory Jones drop back to pass during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens offensive linemen hits the pads during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman greets young fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson exchanges hugs with center Tyler Linderbaum during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens center Nick Samac greets quarterback Lamar Jackson during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Governor Wes Moore, D-Md., catches a pass during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) From left, Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Devin Leary, Josh Johnson and Emory Jones drop back to pass during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Governor Wes Moore, D-Md. exchanges handshakes with Ozzie Newsome during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry catches a pass during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator watches the players during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali sprints during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson drops back while being hit with pads during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker signs autographs for fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins, nicknamed “Deuce,” signs autographs for fans during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Chris Hewitt, Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach speaks during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Zach Orr, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator speaks during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator speaks during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Chris Horton, Baltimore Ravens special teams coordinator speaks during training camp at the Ravens’ training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

Justin Tucker had only one question for Wes Moore. The Ravens’ veteran kicker bumped into the Maryland Gov. along the sideline of Wednesday’s training camp practice and asked, “Did I hear you got a new dog?” “Yes,” Moore said enthusiastically of the fluffy mixed-breed rescue puppy his family adopted last year. “And his name is Tucker!” The two shared a big hug and praised one another as part of Moore’s first visit of the year to the team’s facility in Owings Mills. As much anticipation as there was for quarterback Lamar Jackson to make his training camp debut after missing three days because of illness, there appeared to be a similar excitement from players, staffers and fans to mingle with Moore. One youngster asked Moore if his purple No. 8 Jackson jersey was a custom thread. “No,” he said, “this is the best player in the NFL’s jersey. I’m a big fan of him and a big fan of the whole team.” Moore vowed to another young fan that the two-time league Most Valuable Player would bring home a Super Bowl this year. He shared full-bellied laughs and wide grins for photos with kids and parents alike while basking in the excitement of a team with championship expectations. “This is such an exciting team,” Moore said. “We are so special. When you look at everything from our assets and our players to our coaching, the mentality — this is a no-lose mentality. We had a great year last year, it didn’t end the way any of us hoped it would. But I’ll tell you what, I’m excited that we got the Chiefs Week 1 ’cause we gon’ bring it to ’em Week 1.” Moore’s scouting report for his favorite football team was merely a series of questions about how opposing teams could possibly prepare for a Ravens offense. “Who do you have on your scout team that is as fast as Lamar Jackson?” he asked. “Who do you have on your scout team that prepares you for Derrick Henry? Do you throw a linebacker to go play running back?” Governor Wes Moore, D-Md. chats with Baltimore Ravens Gradyn Fordes, 10 of New Columbia, PA, who wears a jersey for quarterback Lamar Jackson during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Wes Moore, governor of Maryland waves during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Gov. Wes Moore greets Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome during training camp Wednesday in Owings Mills. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Governor Wes Moore, D-Md. passes the football during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Governor Wes Moore, D-Md. catches a pass during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Governor Wes Moore, D-Md., catches a pass during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Show Caption1 of 6Governor Wes Moore, D-Md. chats with Baltimore Ravens Gradyn Fordes, 10 of New Columbia, PA, who wears a jersey for quarterback Lamar Jackson during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Expand Moore had a chance to play catch with Henry before making his way out to the field. Then he stood to the side as the team’s highly anticipated offseason addition juked between upside down trash cans with the rest of the running backs. Moore could only shake his head, bewildered watching the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Henry up close. “Let me be clear,” Moore said. “Derrick Henry is a monster. That’s a big dude right there.” Football aside, Moore did address topics more pressing to his line of work. Of the state of the Democratic Party on the heels of President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination, Moore is most optimistic by the election’s change in tone: from “speech patterns and walking gait” to the polarizing visions for the future of the country. “I think the party is energized,” said Moore, who on Monday endorsed Harris and said he has “no interest” in leaving his role as governor to serve as her running mate. “I think it’s been a while since there’s been a real debate about the contrast that exists between the candidates. That changed on Sunday. … There’s a very real choice that people in this country are going to make with two very contrasting visions. “I’m excited for the work that we’ve done historically for the Biden-Harris administration. I’m excited about the work that we have done with the Vice President. And I’m looking forward to supporting her in any way that I can to make sure that she’s successful in November.” Moore also addressed The Francis Scott Key Bridge’s recent federal funding approval following its collapse in March. By Labor Day, the transportation authority hopes to select a builder, with sights set on the new bridge opening to traffic by October 2028. “What this state just pulled off was a case study on how to respond to tragedy,” Moore said. “We saw in record time, what people said would take 11 months, we were able to get the full federal channel cleared in 11 weeks and get the Port of Baltimore reopened. I was also clear when I said, the mission is not complete until we get that Key Bridge rebuilt. That will be mission accomplished.” Moore added he was on the phone earlier Wednesday with both Democratic and Republican senators about getting the Baltimore Bridge Relief Act the financial support required to finish building the bridge on schedule. After wrapping his Ravens visit — and, as he said, drying off the sweat that comes with time spent at a July football practice — Moore headed over to M&T Bank Stadium. The longtime home of the Ravens announced last year a series of stadium development projects behind more than $400 million in state-funded renovations. That includes exclusive suites, a beer hall and an upgraded club level with the hope of hosting events beyond football at the 26-year-old stadium. “I’m excited to see the new renovations,” Moore said. “It’s great to have such a phenomenal partner in the Baltimore Ravens. In their ownership group and in their leadership group. These are people who understand what it means to win. … The Baltimore Ravens play a really important part in making sure that it’s Baltimore’s time. I’m excited to get there to check it out and I’m excited to be there every home game cheering the team on.” View the full article

Lamar Jackson is back. The star quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player made his first appearance of training camp Wednesday afternoon in Owings Mills after missing the first three days of practice with an illness. Jackson was at the team’s facility Saturday, but was sent home from meetings after not feeling well. He was also on hand when quarterbacks reported July 15 ahead of the start of training camp. Coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday of Jackson’s extended absence that it was “just a matter of when the doctors are going to clear him and he’s going to feel good enough.” Backup quarterback Josh Johnson, a 38-year-old veteran; Devin Leary, a rookie sixth-round draft pick from Kentucky; and undrafted rookie Emory Jones, who played at Florida, Arizona State and Cincinnati, have received the bulk of the snaps in Jackson’s absence this week. Jackson, 27, is coming off his second MVP award in five years after setting career highs in passing yards and completion percentage while leading the Ravens to an NFL-best 13-4 regular-season record and an appearance in the AFC championship game. Baltimore opens its season Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of that playoff matchup. Jackson has a 1-4 record against the Chiefs, including last season’s 17-10 season-ending loss at M&T Bank Stadium. View the full article

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey stripped off his helmet and jersey, revealing a sleeveless and sweat-soaked t-shirt that looked big on his seemingly thinner 6-foot frame. Though he’s officially listed at 203 pounds, he acknowledged that he’s lost about 10 since last season and is now around 190. The decision, he said, was by design. “I looked at my better seasons, I was a little bit lighter those years,” he said Tuesday after the third day of training camp in Owings Mills. “I’ve been feeling [I’m] moving pretty well at it. “Since I tore my [pectoral in 2021], I got my grown man weight on me and it just never went off, so I just stuck with it. It’s a young man’s game, so I decided to get a little lower.” At 28 and entering his eighth year in the NFL since the Ravens drafted him 16th overall out of Alabama in 2017, the former All-Pro is inching toward the back end of his career. And while his play took a downturn in 2023, injuries also cropped up. The two were not mutually exclusive. Humphrey played in just 10 games and had but a single takeaway last season, both career lows. “Last year was a unique year,” Humphrey said. “Every time I felt like I was pretty healthy, it felt like I got hurt the next game.” After foot surgery last August kept him out for the first month of the season, Humphrey made his season debut in Week 5 against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey works on tackling during training camp. “I like hitting people,” Humphrey said. “It’s a place I’m comfortable in.” (Kevin Richardson/Staff) The ramp up was slow: Humphrey said the first time he sprinted wasn’t until two days before kickoff. Then he played just 37 snaps, and while he performed solidly for the majority of the time he was on the field, he got beat badly when it counted most. With Baltimore clinging to a 10-8 lead with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter and Humphrey in man coverage on George Pickens, the second-year receiver raced past him up the right sideline, hauling in a 41-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game-winner. Over the next four games, Humphrey was targeted 10 times but allowed just five completions for 24 yards, per Pro Football Focus. Then the injury bug bit again. Going into the Ravens’ Week 10 game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium, Humphrey was added to the injury report late in the week with a hamstring issue. In the loss, he suffered a noncontact calf injury in the third quarter and did not return. Humphrey missed the next two games, and when he returned against the Los Angeles Rams, he struggled again, allowing four catches for 92 yards, including one to Cooper Krupp that went for 34 yards after a double move. He also dropped a would-be interception in the end zone. A week later, the Ravens blew out the Miami Dolphins to clinch the top seed in the AFC, but Humphrey suffered a first-quarter calf injury, did not return and didn’t appear again until the AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs in which he played just 13 snaps and had a missed tackle on receiver Rashee Rice. “I think that’s some of the things I regret last year is, attacking the rehab but also what can you do to stay in it for when you’re ready to go,” he said. “I had certain injuries where you needed rest, and I overtook some of the rest time and then thought I could just play in the game Sunday and be my usual self. “Not really making excuses, but what I’ve tried to do this offseason is to prepare a little better for even when you’re hurt. You’ve gotta prepare for the worst.” But Humphrey’s success this year could stretch beyond his health. With a deep and versatile cornerback room that includes Brandon Stephens, who blossomed on the outside in his third season, and first-round pick Nate Wiggins, the Ravens’ secondary continues to move closer to a positionless group in which players are expected to be able to play all over the field. The best example of that, of course, is jack of all trades safety Kyle Hamilton, who last season logged more snaps (465) at slot corner (301) than he did at free safety. The idea of Humphrey, who played almost exclusively out wide last year, playing more inside this season is one the cornerback is embracing, and for good reason. From 2021 to 2023, which included a Pro Bowl selection in 2022, he was one of the league’s better defenders when he lined up in the slot. “I like hitting people,” Humphrey said. “It’s a place I’m comfortable in.” The ideal, he added, will be to have him, Stephens and Wiggins (as well as Hamilton) all on the field at the same time. But wherever the Ravens deploy their aging star corner, staying on the field and performing better than he did last season will be integral to the defense’s success. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Third day of Ravens training camp | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on an impressive secondary, backup QB performances, ‘Nasty Nate’ and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ‘closer’ to return after missing third straight practice with illness Baltimore Ravens | Ravens impressed by new teammate Derrick Henry: ‘Just happy he’s on our side’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens safety Eddie Jackson ready to join familiar faces for Super Bowl run “Having Marlon Humphrey at full speed and at his best would be massively beneficial,” coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week. “That’s what we expect him to be. He’s in great shape.” Others have noticed, too. “He’s looking good,” Hamilton said. “He’s got the abs back. “He’s running, he’s covering very well. … He’s still one of the fastest guys on the team.” While there’s yet to be any talk among the coaches of using Humphrey at safety, it’s something he said he always saw himself doing at some point, so that could be yet another wrinkle for Baltimore’s defense to consider. The recent addition of veteran Eddie Jackson probably makes it unnecessary, but Humphrey did concede that there’s been plenty of talk about him or Stephens also playing nickel corner. “I wasn’t really used to being hurt a lot,” Humphrey said. “Last year was a little different for me, but I’m kind of ready for whatever this year. “With what Nate’s already shown … it’ll be a lot of plays being made by this secondary with Eddie included. There will be so many packages. Teams won’t know what we’re doing, who’s playing what. Anybody can line up anywhere.” View the full article

Ravens defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, center, tries to shield blockers during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey catches a pass during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins works on tackling during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton catches a pass during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, right, talks to teammates during training camp Tuesday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman, right, watches his teammate Nelson Agholor warming up during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Ravens defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, right, tries to shield blockers during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey works on tackling during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, center, talks to teammates during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, right, talks with the linemen during training camp on Tuesday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton works on backpedaling during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson, left, throws a pass during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton catches a pass during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry catches a pass during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton catches a pass during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Damarion Williams works on tackling during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews catches a pass during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

Last year at this time, many had reservations about a Ravens secondary that, while not lacking talent, certainly lacked healthy bodies. Through the first three days of training camp, the secondary looks to be the strongest unit on the team as coach John Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Zach Orr mix and match a room full of versatility, intensity and playmaking ability. “We’re so deep in that room right now,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. “We can never get tired. We will never have someone on the field that’s a liability. It’s such a disadvantage for the offense.” Tuesday was another good day for the defensive backs with veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet taking his turn making the interception of the day, coming up with a nice grab over wideout Nelson Agholor. After that, the rest of the group pounced. Cornerback Brandon Stephens made two nice plays on the outside while being matched up with wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers throughout the day. Health matters Despite the lack of highlight-reel plays, Harbaugh was particularly impressed with a pair of 2022 draft picks, defensive backs Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams. Just as important as making plays and knowing assignments, both are now healthy, according to Harbaugh, and are looking to add to the secondary’s strength. “Big year for both those guys,” Harbaugh said. “They’re both practicing so well right now, I’m excited. First three days in and they’ve both been excellent.” When it comes to health, it helps when two of the defense’s best players are back and ready to go, and that’s been the case this summer with All-Pro selections Marlon Humphrey and Hamilton. Hamilton missed mandatory minicamp with a minor elbow surgery but has been a full participant through three days of training camp. Humphrey, who provided the shock of camp last season when he underwent foot surgery, said a big part of his recovery was returning to his roots — and shedding some weight. “I slimmed down a little bit,” said Humphrey, who acknowledged dropping from around 200 pounds to 190. “I looked back at some of my better seasons and I was a little bit lighter. I’ve been moving pretty well.” Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, right, talks with the linemen during training camp Tuesday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Offensive line takes shape Harbaugh said at mandatory minicamp in June that he’d like the offensive line competitions to be settled within the first couple weeks of training camp. After just three days, some leaders are emerging for the spots up for grabs. Daniel Faalele has been used primarily at right guard. The third-year lineman started just one game through his first two seasons, but he’s in line for an expanded role if he continues his impressive camp. “We’re gonna give it a shot and see how it looks,” Harbaugh said. “Daniel’s got very good feet for his size. That’s a big man, but he can move his feet. He can also bend and create leverage. We feel like he’s got a chance with Tyler [Linderbaum] to move people in there. We’ll see how he adapts.” The 6-8, 380-pound Faalele moved defenders into the second level frequently Tuesday to carve running lanes for Derrick Henry. Harbaugh believes the lineman’s skills might be better used at guard rather than tackle, the position he played in college at Minnesota but never broke through at in Baltimore. Patrick Mekari is working mostly at right tackle, a spot vacated after the Ravens traded Morgan Moses. Mekari is also Linderbaum’s primary backup at center, Harbaugh said. Offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said last month that the team thinks it gains the most value from Mekari’s versatility with him as a reserve, but the veteran is in the mix for a starting role for now. “We’ve got certain guys that are moving at certain positions,” Harbaugh said. “They work their primary spot, their secondary spot. Some guys work both guards. Some guys stay on the left side. The more you can do, the better you are.” Ravens quarterbacks Josh Johnson, left, and Devin Leary throw passes during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Jackson out again Lamar Jackson was absent again Tuesday with an undisclosed illness. Harbaugh said the star quarterback is closer to a return but had no update for when that could be. With Jackson out, the Ravens’ three other quarterbacks have gotten extended looks alongside the first and second teams. None have looked particularly sharp as they battle for the No. 2 spot. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ‘closer’ to return after missing third straight practice with illness Baltimore Ravens | Ravens impressed by new teammate Derrick Henry: ‘Just happy he’s on our side’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens safety Eddie Jackson ready to join familiar faces for Super Bowl run Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Rashod Bateman’s up-and-down day, O-line questions and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Second day of Ravens training camp 2024 | PHOTOS Josh Johnson, the most experienced of the group, has displayed the best chemistry with receivers through the first three days of camp. The 38-year-old veteran connected with Bateman three times in the 11-on-11 portion of Tuesday’s practice, highlighted by a contested deep ball down the right sideline that Bateman grabbed over Humphrey. Johnson also found Keith Kirkwood for a touchdown in perhaps the most impressive play from the offense all afternoon. But Johnson also showed lapses. He’s been slow to get rid of the ball throughout camp and has taken plenty of would-be sacks as a result. Tuesday, Maulet picked him off for the cornerback’s third interception in as many days. Rookie Nate Wiggins had one of his many pass breakups of camp on an off-target throw from Johnson. Rookies Devin Leary and Emory Jones have done little to show the Ravens should keep three quarterbacks. Both were inconsistent at all levels of the field and haven’t found a rhythm with any pass catchers. ‘Nasty Nate’ is born Last season, Jackson dubbed Flowers “joystick” after the first day of camp for the way the 2023 first-round pick quickly changed directions, as well as his smooth footwork and explosiveness. Tuesday, it was time for 2024 first-rounder Wiggins to reveal “Nasty Nate” to the world. Wiggins sheepishly revealed the new nickname, given to him by Humphrey. While Wiggins couldn’t confirm or deny if the name was going to stick, his comments on his play style could shed some insight into how Humphrey made his choice. “I’m trying to work at not using my catchup speed and being better at the line of scrimmage with my hands,” Wiggins said. “I talk a lot [of trash] to the receiver. It brings me more confidence, talking to the receiver and trying to get in their heads.” Regardless of whether “Nasty Nate” sticks or not, it’s clear the rookie has already made quite the impression on his teammates. View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed his third straight training camp practice Tuesday but could be back on the field soon. “I’m sure he’s closer to getting out there than he was. It’s just a matter of when the doctors are going to clear him and he’s going to feel good enough,” coach John Harbaugh said. Jackson, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, was sent home from the team’s practice facility in Owings Mills on Sunday with an undisclosed illness. The 27-year-old superstar had been at practice earlier last week, with quarterbacks and injured veterans having reported to training camp July 15. “He came in yesterday with something off,” Harbaugh said Sunday. “We tried to get some fluids in him and he just wasn’t able to go.” Backup Josh Johnson, a 38-year-old veteran, and Devin Leary, a rookie sixth-round draft pick from Kentucky, have received the bulk of the snaps in Jackson’s absence. Undrafted rookie Emory Jones, who played at Florida, Arizona State and Cincinnati, is also on the roster. The Ravens will practice again Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week. They open the preseason Aug. 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles at 7:30 p.m. and kick off the regular season Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. This story might be updated. View the full article