OWINGS MILLS, MD. — Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he welcomed the outside interest in his coaching staff and said that would have no bearing on his team’s preparations for an AFC divisional round playoff game in two weeks.
Speaking after the team’s practice on Jan. 10, Harbaugh said he was “proud of our guys” who are being rumored for possible head coaching jobs.
That rumor mill heated up further with the Tennessee Titans reportedly requesting permission to speak with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald about their vacant head coaching job.
That’s at least the third team reportedly seeking to speak to Macdonald, 36, who just completed his second year as the team’s defensive coordinator with remarkable results. The Ravens’ defense under Macdonald ranked No. 6 overall and became the first in NFL history to lead the league in sacks (60), takeaways (T1st, 31) and scoring defense (16.5 points allowed per game).
The Carolina Panthers announced they have requested an interview with Macdonald, and the Washington Commanders have reportedly done so as well.
Asked last month about being a trendy name in this year’s coaching cycle, Macdonald said, “It’s hard to ignore. It’s an honor to hear about it. It’s such a unique opportunity when it does come up. … It’s very difficult for me to kind of do two things at once. So, try your best to focus on the things that we need to focus on, which is the next game and getting our guys in position to win.”
The Commanders and Atlanta Falcons have also asked permission to interview Ravens assistant head coach and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, according to published reports, and the Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers have requested an interview with offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
“I’m really proud of our guys. I’ve said it many times,” Harbaugh said. “I think we have the best coaching staff in the world, and I love our coaches. … So, any opportunities they get, I support, and I’m excited for them to have those opportunities.”
Harbaugh said any such interviews or interest won’t interfere with his team’s preparation for their first playoff game next week.
The Ravens (13-4), by virtue of earning the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed, have a bye this week and then will face the lowest-seeded winner coming out of the opening round of playoff games this weekend. That will either be seventh-seeded Pittsburgh, sixth-seeded Miami, or the winner of the game between fifth-seeded Cleveland and fourth-seeded Houston.
Any interviews with Ravens assistants in the next two weeks must be done virtually; according to a league rule, no in-person interviews can be conducted until after the divisional round of the playoffs.
“Everything they do with the interview is set up outside of the work here,” Harbaugh said. “So, they do their full obligations here throughout the course of the week, and then there’s one, two, some guys have three interviews, but that’s done either late at night, later in the evening or possibly on the weekend if they have some time.”
PRACTICE NOTEBOOK
FLOWERS, FIVE OTHERS SIT OUT: Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) were among six Ravens who did not take part in the team’s bye week practice Jan. 10. Humphrey did work out on an adjacent field with the training staff. Others who did not practice included linebacker Malik Harrison (groin), linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (shoulder), tight end Charlie Kolar and linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle).
Safety Geno Stone, who had left the Steelers game with a knee injury, was back on the field, as was guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad) and safety Kyle Hamilton (knee), both of whom missed the Steelers game. The team does not release an official injury report during the bye week, so it’s unclear to what extent they or other players were limited.
COOK TAKES PART IN FIRST RAVENS PRACTICE: Running back Dalvin Cook took part in his first Ravens practice, wearing No. 31. The back was signed to the practice squad last week and is a candidate to play in the postseason.
“We view [Cook] as a very valuable or potentially valuable weapon in our offense,” Harbaugh said. “Obviously, Dalvin Cook is a high-pedigree player … and he still has talent and ability, and he’s smart. He’s in great shape … [and] looked very good in practice out here today. So I think he’s going to be a valuable part of our team and the playoffs here.”
Cook, 28, was released by the New York Jets late in the season and was signed by the Ravens after clearing waivers. He had four straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Minnesota Vikings from 2019-22, but had little impact with the Jets, with 67 carries for 214 yards as a backup to Breece Hall.
Cook figures to slot in behind Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, and there’s speculation he could supplant Melvin Gordon for the role as the team’s No. 3 running back. Gordon has played in four games for the Ravens this season with 26 carries for 81 yards and a score. He lost a fumble in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh, and fumbles have been an issue in his career.
DUVERNAY DESIGNATED TO RETURN FROM IR: Ravens wide receiver and return specialist Devin Duvernay returned to practice, meaning he has begun a three-week window to join the 53-man roster off the injured reserve list. Duvernay has been sidelined for the past four games because of a back injury. He averaged 12.6 yards per punt return and 19.3 yards per kickoff return this season and also caught four passes for 18 yards in limited use as a receiver.
In his absence, Tylan Wallace burst on to the scene as a return specialist with a 76-yard punt return touchdown in overtime to beat the Los Angeles Rams.
JACKSON, HAMILTON WIN MEDIA AWARDS: The Ravens chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America handed out its season awards after practice, with quarterback Lamar Jackson winning the Most Valuable Player Award and safety Kyle Hamilton winning the Media Good Guy Award. That award goes to a player who is consistently available and accessible to media throughout the season.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox