OWINGS MILLS, MD. — Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was back on the practice field on Dec. 13 just three days after leaving the game against the Los Angeles Rams with a knee injury.
In the portion of practice open to the media, Hamilton took part in some individual drills while wearing a brace on his left knee. He was limited, according to the team’s injury report, and both Hamilton and head coach John Harbaugh said Hamilton’s availability for the big AFC showdown between the Ravens (10-3) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) is uncertain.
Speaking after practice, Hamilton said he “felt pretty good” but said it is “up in the air” whether he can play Sunday.
Hamilton said he initially injured the knee early in the Ravens’ 37-31 win against the Los Angeles Rams when he hit receiver Puka Nacua.
“My knee kind of bent a weird way. I came back in the next possession … [and] my knee just kind of felt weird,” he said.
He went to the locker room and had his knee taped, then returned to the game but “tweaked it” again.
Hamilton said he had intended to return to the game a third time, but trainers told him, “It wouldn’t have been a smart decision.”
Hamilton, the Ravens’ top draft pick in 2022 out of Notre Dame, has emerged in his second season as one of the Ravens’ most valuable and versatile defensive players. Through 13 games, Hamilton ranks third on the team with 69 tackles, and he also has three sacks — which all came in the same game — two interceptions and a team-high nine passes defensed.
He intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns.
Hamilton has at times played a traditional safety role, and at other times he has played near the line of scrimmage as a slot defender, using his 6-foot-4 frame to be disruptive against the run and the pass. Hamilton has nine tackles for loss, the most ever in a single season for a Ravens defensive back. That also leads all NFL defensive backs this season.
Hamilton is leading all AFC strong safeties in Pro Bowl fan voting, according to the most recent tabulation released by the league.
NOTEBOOK
WALLACE HONORED: Tylan Wallace has been honored as the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his walk-off, 76-yard punt return touchdown in overtime beat the Rams. Wallace, who had never returned punts in an NFL regular-season game in his three-year career, is expected to remain in that role for the rest of the regular season now that regular return specialist Devin Duvernay has been placed on injured reserve.
EVERYONE PRACTICES: The Ravens had every player from their 53-man roster on the field for practice Dec. 13, a positive sign of health especially this late in the season.
“That’s a plus for us,” Harbaugh said. “We’re happy about that. You guys have been around here the past few years, so that’s a major plus for us.”
Hamilton and linebacker Roquan Smith (back) were limited by injuries, according to the injury report, and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was limited but that was listed as a rest day for him.
CB WILLIAMS RETURNS: Cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams is back on the 53-man roster, as he was activated from injured reserve this week. Williams has yet to play this season after undergoing ankle surgery in August. He has been practicing for the past three weeks, so the team had reached the deadline at which point Williams needed either to be added to the 53-man roster or left on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
It’s unclear whether Williams will be ready to play this week, but with Hamilton dealing with a knee injury, Williams could fill in as a slot corner. Before the injury, he was considered the front-runners to be the Ravens’ top nickel back.
A fourth-round pick out of Houston last year, Williams played in 14 games as a rookie and totaled 24 tackles and two passes defensed.
The Ravens had an open spot on their 53-man roster after placing tight end Mark Andrews on injured reserve.
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