OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The ink on Eddie Jackson’s Ravens contract had hardly dried when the All-Pro safety made his first highlight-reel play of training camp. On his second day as a Raven, Jackson picked off a pass from backup quarterback Emory Jones and raced for what would have been a pick-six touchdown.
That was one of three interceptions by the Ravens’ defense during a soggy training camp practice July 22, as the offense again scuffled without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, who remained sidelined because of illness.
The final hour of practice was played in heavy rain, which only added to the offensive struggles.
“We’re going to play games in rain,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “We had numerous games in rain last year, so to get that work was a plus for us.”
Top draft pick Nate Wiggins made a leaping interception in the middle of the field on a pass from Jones intended for receiver Sean Ryan, and one of the biggest roars of the day — at least from the defensive side of the field — came when undrafted rookie defensive lineman Tramel Walthour tipped and grabbed a pass by backup quarterback Devin Leary and rumbled down the sideline on a long return. By the time Walthour was driven out of bounds, half the players on the defensive sideline had run down to greet him with hoots and hollers.
Indeed, with Jackson missing his second straight practice, the defense had more to cheer about than an offense that struggled again to find rhythm without the league’s reigning MVP.
Harbaugh had no update on Jackson, other than to say he was still ill.
One of the few offensive stars was wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who made a couple of superb catches in the heavy rain, including one when he made a sliding catch behind cornerback Brandon Stephens.
This day, though, belonged to the defense, including Jackson, a Pro Bowl selection in 2018 and 2019 who was exactly the type of veteran safety the Ravens were hoping to sign this offseason.
A seven-year veteran, Jackson, 30, was a teammate of Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey at Alabama and then spent five seasons playing with linebacker Roquan Smith with the Chicago Bears.
Jackson has 15 career interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns, in 100 career games.
Jackson said that after making a free-agent visit to Baltimore, he saw the Ravens as a “perfect fit.” The Florida native also noted that he has known Zay Flowers “since he was small” and called Flowers “my little cousin.”
Adding Jackson allows the Ravens to get more creative with safety Kyle Hamilton, who has excelled when playing in the slot, and adds to a secondary that might be among the deepest in the league with Humphrey, Stephens, Hamilton, Wiggins, safety Marcus Williams, slot corner Arthur Maulet and more.
Jackson called the depth of the unit “crazy.”
“It’s definitely special,” he said.
PRACTICE NOTEBOOK
FIVE REMAIN SIDELINED: The same five players who missed the opening practice of camp July 21 remained sidelined July 22. In addition to Lamar Jackson, that included linebacker Yvandy Rigby (undisclosed), cornerback T.J. Tampa (PUP list, sports hernia), running back Keaton Mitchell (PUP list, knee) and outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (NFI list, hamstring).
OWEH SHINES: In the first two days of training camp, linebacker Odafe Oweh has spent a lot of time in the backfield. Quarterbacks can’t be sacked, and no plays go to full contact, but Oweh more than once has had his way with Ravens offensive linemen.
Oweh, a 2021 first-round pick, is entering his fourth season. Oweh matched a career-high with five sacks in 13 games last season. And while the big sack numbers have thus far been elusive, the team this spring expressed enough confidence in Oweh to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season.
Oweh said he spent this offseason training in Atlanta with Justin Madubuike, David Ojabo and Tavius Robinson, and he noted that Madubuike had a breakout season in 2023.
“I know who I am. I know what I can do,” Oweh said as he met with the media after practice. “A lot of the plays that I know I can make are going to be there, right for me, and it’s just for me to go and take it. So, I’m ready.”
WORLEY RETURNS: The Ravens have signed veteran defensive back Daryl Worley, and he was back on the field wearing No. 41. Worley played in 12 games for the Ravens last season, including two starts, and finished with seven tackles on defense and two on special teams. A former cornerback who converted to safety, Worley was one of the Ravens’ top special teams players. He had played the past two full seasons for the Ravens after bouncing around five teams over the first six seasons of his career.
To make room for Worley on the 90-man roster, the Ravens waived defensive back Tre Swilling.
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