OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In the first full-team period of the Ravens’ training camp practice on July 29, Lamar Jackson failed to complete a pass and the offense was flagged for a false start on back-to-back plays. It never got much better for the offense, which slogged through a steamy two-plus-hour workout with bad throws, bad snaps and bad drops.
Granted, the Ravens’ offense was without top wide receiver Zay Flowers and tight end Isaiah Likely, who suffered a foot injury a day earlier. Receiver Rashod Bateman, who missed a practice with an illness earlier this week, appeared to be limited. But little went right for the offense from the first period on.
Jackson was off target most of the day. Backup Cooper Rush threw an interception in a red zone drill, and third-string quarterback Devin Leary simply dropped the ball once while fading back to throw, falling on the fumble before any defensive player could recover it. Center Tyler Linderbaum sailed a snap over Jackson’s head, and penalty flags continued to fly. At one point, Rush spiked a ball in disgust, and offensive coaches were visibly frustrated with the proceedings.
Harbaugh implied that being in pads for the third straight day in scorching heat might have factored in some of the offensive lapses, but he said being tested in that way is “what we need this time of year. I thought the guys fought through it pretty good, varying degrees of success, obviously. The defense had a heck of a day today.”
In that opening full-team period, Jackson had a pass batted at the line of scrimmage by linebacker Tavius Robinson, and an out route intended for Devontez Walker was nearly intercepted by cornerback Chidobe Awuzie.
Awuzie later had a nice pass breakup in the end zone during a red zone drill. Jackson rolled left to avoid pressure from linebacker Trenton Simpson and bought some time before floating a pass toward the back of the end zone, but Awuzie pursued and broke up the play.
DeAndre Hopkins got the best of Awuzie, though, with a nice end-zone grab, and he beat Jaire Alexander during a 1-on-1 drill. Hopkins also caught a pass on the left sideline against Nate Wiggins, and those two have already had several excellent matchups in camp. It feels as if facing Hopkins as often as he has can only make Wiggins better heading into his second season.
The offense shined in a few of those 1-on-1 matchups. Anthony Miller elevated for a nice grab against Jaire Alexander, and Malik Cunningham made a tough contested catch against safety Malaki Starks, who had good coverage down the right sideline.
Cornerback T.J. Tampa won his 1-on-1 matchup against Devontez Walker, punching the ball out, and Tampa later made a goal-line interception of Rush during a red-zone period.
The offense at least got to end on a high note, as Leary hit backup tight end Sam Pitz down the seam for about a 40-yard touchdown to end practice.
NOTEBOOK
FLOWERS OUT WITH ‘CAMP-TYPE’ INJURY: Wide receiver Zay Flowers sat out the July 29 workout with what Harbaugh called a “camp-type” injury and expected him back on the field “in a few days.” Cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis and Bilhal Kone (shoulder) also missed practice. Armour-Davis, who has been sidelined for the past couple of days, had an MRI but Harbaugh said after practice July 30 that Armour-Davis’ injury would not be “anything that’s going to keep him out for a long period of time. He’ll be fine.”
In addition to those three, the only players missing practice were Likely, backup running back Marcus Major, and the two players on designated injury lists — safety Ar’Darius Washington (PUP, Achilles) and offensive lineman Emery Jones (NFI, shoulder).
HARBAUGH CONFIRMS SURGERY FOR LIKELY: Harbaugh confirmed reports that Likely would have surgery to repair the fractured foot he suffered in practice July 29. Likely will be out “multiple weeks,” Harbaugh said, but the team’s goal remains to have him back in time for the season opener at Buffalo on Sept. 7.
ROOKIES RAMP IT UP WITH LIVE HITTING: Toward the end of the workout, Harbaugh called for a “live” period, featuring full tackling — the first of training camp — for some younger players. Rookie inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan showed good pursuit and made a couple of nice hits on running back Keaton Mitchell, who has taken his share of hits throughout camp. Even before the live portion of practice, Mitchell was taken to the ground by Reuben Lowery and also took a shot from safety Beau Brade.
LOOP PERFECT: Tyler Loop handled all the kicking duties and went 9-for-9, including a long of 53 yards. He and undrafted rookie John Hoyland continue to battle for the kicking job. Last week, special teams coordinator Chris Horton wouldn’t put a timeline on when a winner in the competition would be declared.
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