OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As if a long list of injuries headlined by Lamar Jackson weren’t enough cause for concern, the Ravens had a key defensive player test positive for COVID-19 just three days before Sunday’s clash with Green Bay.
Safety Chuck Clark was placed on the reserve-COVID-19 list on Thursday afternoon, putting his availability to play against the Packers in serious question. With Clark believed to be vaccinated — he was in the building earlier in the day Thursday — and the NFL and NFL Players Association having just revamped return-to-play protocols, the veteran defensive back could have a chance to return in time for Sunday’s game depending on subsequent test results and whether he remains asymptomatic. Clark is the second player on Baltimore’s 53-man roster to test positive for the virus this week after backup center Trystan Colon was placed on the COVID-19 list on Tuesday.
Running back Nate McCrary was also placed on the practice squad COVID-19 list on Thursday.
Clark’s absence would be bad news for an undermanned secondary that’s already missing Pro Bowl cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters and fellow starting safety DeShon Elliott, who are all out for the remainder of the season. The fifth-year safety also wears the green-dot helmet — which allows radio communication from the sideline — and relays the defensive calls in the huddle, a role that can’t be easily replaced with the way defensive coordinator Wink Martindale prefers substituting players so frequently. Geno Stone would be the most likely candidate to replace Clark at safety.
Jackson (right ankle) was absent for the second straight day of practice as the Ravens were working overtime to get veteran newcomer Josh Johnson up to speed to potentially serve as the backup to quarterback Tyler Huntley on Sunday. Asked about Jackson’s status prior to Thursday’s practice, offensive coordinator Greg Roman echoed head coach John Harbaugh’s previous sentiment that he remains “day to day.”
“He’s getting treatment around the clock,” Roman said. “He’s a good healer, but we’ll have to wait and see what the doctors say.”
Quarterback isn’t the only position of concern on the offensive side of the ball as the Ravens practiced without multiple members of their offensive line on Thursday. Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva (knee), left guard Ben Powers (foot), and swing tackle Tyre Phillips (illness) all missed practice for the second straight day while right tackle Patrick Mekari (hand) was listed as a limited participant despite not being on the field during the portion of the workout open for media viewing. Mekari was inactive for last Sunday’s loss to the Browns.
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The Ravens were also without fullback Patrick Ricard (back/knee), wide receiver Marquise Brown (illness), and tight end Nick Boyle (knee) on Thursday afternoon.
Six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell (thigh) missed his second straight practice, which wasn’t an encouraging sign for his status after he exited in the first quarter of last Sunday’s loss at Cleveland. Cornerback Chris Westry (knee) returned to practice on a limited basis after missing Wednesday’s workout.
The Packers were dealing with their own virus concerns Thursday as 2019 Pro Bowl nose tackle Kenny Clark was placed on the COVID-19 list.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (toe) missed practice for a second straight day, but he is still fully expected to play in Baltimore. After being limited with a knee injury on Wednesday, Green Bay running back Aaron Jones missed Thursday’s workout due to an illness.
Below is the full injury report for Thursday:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Nick Boyle (knee), WR Marquise Brown (illness), DE Calais Campbell (thigh), QB Lamar Jackson (ankle), OL Tyre Phillips (illness), OL Ben Powers (foot), FB Patrick Ricard (back/knee), OT Alejandro Villanueva (knee), DT Brandon Williams (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: OL Patrick Mekari (hand), CB Chris Westry (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Miles Boykin (finger), WR Tylan Wallace (concussion), WR Sammy Watkins (knee)
GREEN BAY
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Dominique Dafney (ankle), RB Aaron Jones (knee/illness), TE Marcedes Lewis (non-injury), QB Aaron Rodgers (toe), WR Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion), OL Billy Turner (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: OT David Bakhtiari (knee), WR Malik Taylor (abdomen), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back)
FULL PARTICIPATION: P Corey Bojorquez (left knee)
