OWINGS MILLS, MD. — Ravens veteran defensive end Calais Campbell likened the beginning of training camp to “the first day of school.”
At the team’s first workout of training camp on July 27, that first day amounted to little more than organizing the desks, as the Ravens went through a low-intensity workout that was very much by design.
After a 2021 season decimated by injuries — 25 players landed on injured reserve en route to an 8-9 record — head coach John Harbaugh vowed to re-evaluate every aspect of the team’s practice regimen. That was evident during a 90-minute practice that was heavy on individual work and timing and light on competitive snaps.
“We’ve kind of reorganized practices,” Harbaugh said, adding that the coaching staff will steadily ramp up the intensity during the first four or five practice sessions. He added that the team is stressing that players need to focus on full-speed reps even with no opposition across the line of scrimmage.
“That’s a little bit of a challenge,” he said.
Another obvious change was the team’s switch to afternoon workouts this year. In previous years, most training camp practices were held in the morning, before the midday summer heat really kicked in. But, Harbaugh said, the afternoon practices are better from a nutrition standpoint and “gives us the best chance to have the best practices and get our guys the most ready that they can be for practice.”
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey said the new practice schedule “makes sense.”
“It’s clear that they put a lot of studying into it,” he said. “It’s a little different, but I like it.”
When the Ravens took the field, quarterback Lamar Jackson was there, wearing his familiar black practice jersey with the purple No. 8. Some national media had speculated that Jackson might “hold in” and not work out amid the uncertainty of his contract status, but he never gave any indication that was in his plans.
Jackson is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the possibility of an extension has been a source of near-constant speculation this summer. Both sides have indicated that they expect a deal to happen at some point.
New deals for quarterbacks including Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray have only increased the focus on Jackson’s contract status, but wide receiver Rashod Bateman said, “If Lamar is not concerned about the contract, nobody should be concerned about the contract.”
On the field, Jackson was unofficially 8-for-14 in the few 7-on-7 and team drills the team ran. His best pass hit Devin Duvernay down the right sideline, with Kevon Seymour in tight coverage.
Tight end Nick Boyle had an eventful day in limited work. He had a pass down the seam ripped away by Tony Jefferson for either an incompletion or a fumble, but then two plays later elevated to make a nice catch from backup quarterback Anthony Brown. Later, Boyle dropped a pass in the left flat.
Boyle is looking to return to form after an injury-hobbled 2021 season in which he played in just five games, and he could be feeling a little heat after the Ravens drafted a pair of tight ends in Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely. Boyle, though, remains the best blocker among the tight ends, and a healthy Boyle makes this team better.
NOTEBOOK
TEN ABSENT, NONE A SURPRISE: Ten Ravens missed the workout, including six who were placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list before camp began: running backs Gus Edwards (knee) and J.K. Dobbins (knee), cornerback Marcus Peters (knee), safety Ar’Darius Washington (foot), linebacker Tyus Bowser (Achilles) and tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle).
Guard Ben Cleveland, who was placed on the non-football-injury list earlier in the day, also missed practice, and that could be related to the team conditioning test. The other absences were rookie tight end Charlie Kolar, who is dealing with a groin/hernia injury; rookie linebacker David Ojabo, who tore his Achilles in March and remains unsigned; and rookie wide receiver Devon Williams, who is on the non-football injury list.
Dobbins, Peters and Stanley all watched portions of practice from the sideline. Dobbins, who at one point had his jersey on, took part in some post-practice conditioning work with a trainer. Dobbins was seen having a spirited discussion with general manager Eric DeCosta.
“J.K. definitely wants to go,” Harbaugh said. “He’s made it very clear. … That’s up to the doctors and him, and they’ll work it out.”
NFL MANDATES HELMET COVERS: Another obvious change at camp were the black Guardian Cap anti-concussion helmet covers being worn by many players. During OTA workouts, the covers were optional, but the Ravens had several rookies wear them. In training camp, though, the NFL this year has made them required for defensive front seven players, offensive linemen and tight ends through the week of the second preseason game.
“It’s a little warm and heavy right now, but if it’s for our future health, it’s totally worth it,” guard Kevin Zeitler said.
HARBAUGH STILL UNDECIDED ON PRESEASON PLAN: Head coach John Harbaugh said he has put “a lot of thought” into whether starters will play in preseason games, but said, “I don’t think we’ve made a decision yet about that.”
The Ravens lost running back J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason finale at Washington last year, leading to speculation that Harbaugh might keep starters on the sideline throughout the preseason this year.
“We’ll continue to consider what’s best for our team and what’s best for the regular season and getting guys ready,” he said.
Harbaugh said that many players who might be held out have expressed a desire to play in the preseason.
“We’ll see where we’re at when the time comes,” he said.
The Ravens open the preseason at home against Tennessee on Aug. 11, then play at Arizona on Aug. 21 and host Washington on Aug. 27.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox