BALTIMORE โ With the season opener against Cincinnati just two weeks away, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh still isnโt saying when Joe Flacco will begin practicing.
But he made it clear that the starting quarterback will be on the field for Week 1, reiterating that Flacco remains โon scheduleโ and citing the press release earlier this month that said heโd be ready for the start of the regular season. The release did not specify when Flacco would begin practicing, however, leaving many to wonder if he will have sufficient time to prepare after such a long layoff.
โIโm not going to stand up here and answer that question every single day,โ Harbaugh said. โHeโll be back for the Bengals game. I promise you that.โ
The 10th-year coach said after last weekโs win in Miami that Flacco wouldnโt be practicing this past week, but he apparently didnโt like being asked the same question nine days later. Harbaugh spoke to reporters just once between the games and was not asked about Flacco after last Thursdayโs practice.
The franchise quarterback missing all of training camp with a back injury is always going to be a colossal story for a team thatโs missed the playoffs three of the last four years. The starting offense has struggled to move the ball consistently with backup Ryan Mallett throughout the preseason as the Ravens managed to score just three points in the first half of Saturdayโs 13-9 win over Buffalo.
โDo you really care when heโs going to practice? Do you really care?โ Harbaugh replied to the reporter who inquired about Flacco.
Yes, itโs fair to say the entire fan base wants to know when Flacco will be back on the practice field with so few days remaining until the Ravens kick off for real on Sept. 10. Harbaugh has the right not to answer, of course, but questioning the relevance of the topic is insulting to both reporters and fans.
Especially when all we hear from coaches is how important practice is.
Harbaugh promises Flacco will return for Ravens season opener
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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