OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed his third straight practice because of illness on July 23, as the Ravens continued their ramp-up period of training camp minus the league’s reigning MVP and leader of their offense.
Head coach John Harbaugh again had no update on Jackson after the roughly two-hour practice, saying only, “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.”
With Jackson absent, the first few days have been a scuffle for backup quarterbacks Josh Johnson and rookies Devin Leary and Emory Jones. In 7-on-7 and full-team periods, the defense has had the decided edge and made the most significant plays. And the depth of the secondary has stood out.
Nickel back Arthur Maulet may have had the play of the day when he made a leaping interception on a pass down the right sideline intended for Nelson Agholor in a 7-on-7 period. After falling to the ground with the catch, Maulet lofted the ball skyward while players on the defensive sideline and fans in the nearby bleachers roared.
Maulet has had three interceptions in the past three days, though one was negated because a sack had whistled the play dead.
Brandon Stephens also had an active day, denying tight end Mark Andrews in a physical matchup on the sideline and also breaking up a deep pass intended for Rashod Bateman.
A day earlier, safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Nate Wiggins had grabbed interceptions that included long returns. The Ravens also like what they’ve seen so far from defensive backs Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams, who have not been able to stay healthy. With the current group at cornerback, both figure to be backups but Harbaugh said he has been impressed with both.
“They’ve both been excellent,” Harbaugh said. “Jalyn has made numerous plays on the ball. … Pepe is finally healthy. Jalyn is finally healthy. We’ll see what they can do, but I’m very confident that they’re going to do well.”
There is a lot of time between now and the roster cutdown to 53 players, but if everyone remains healthy — a big if, as history has shown — the Ravens could have some tough decisions in the secondary.
Without question, the Ravens’ offense has struggled in the absence of its top quarterback and reigning league MVP in Jackson. But running back Derrick Henry looks as physically imposing as ever, and Bateman consistently has been one of the offensive highlights.
In the Tuesday practice, Bateman again had two of the biggest offensive plays of the day in full-team drills. He went high over Marlon Humphrey to haul in a catch down the right sideline. It appeared Humphrey might have gotten a piece of the pass, but Bateman hauled it in with safety Ar’Darius Washington also bearing down on him. Later, Bateman caught a pass across the middle, got a good block from Mark Andrews and turned upfield for what would have been a gain of at least 20 or 25 yards.
Coaches have suggested that Bateman’s confidence will soar if he can “stack practices,” as they like to say. A day earlier, Bateman had produced two of the top offensive plays with outstanding catches in a downpour.
“Like all of us, you do some good things, and more good things seem to come,” Harbaugh said after that soggy Monday workout. “Rashod has been working to make plays. To see him come out here and make those catches, those are great catches. They’re in-traffic catches. … He’s expected to be a top receiver in the league for us. That’s what we’re planning on. To see him true to form today was nice to see.”
Now they just hope to continue to see that once Jackson gets back on the field.
NOTEBOOK:
FIVE REMAIN OUT: Other than Jackson, practice attendance remained the same. ILB Yvandy Rigby (undisclosed) like Jackons missed his third straight practice, while RB Keaton Mitchell (knee) and CB T.J. Tampa (sports hernia) remain on the PUP list and OLB Adisa Isaac (hamstring) is on the NFI list.
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