OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson hasn’t participated in voluntary workouts this spring, but the Ravens are looking forward to seeing their biggest star next week.
Two weeks after deferring questions about Jackson’s absence to the quarterback himself, head coach John Harbaugh provided a warmer response when asked whether he’d had any recent communication with the 25-year-old regarding his plans for next week’s mandatory minicamp. On May 27, Jackson posted on Twitter that he “will be there” for future workouts while noting the voluntary nature of organized team activities to that point in the spring.
Throughout the offseason, Jackson has posted numerous social media videos documenting throwing sessions with personal quarterback coach Adam Dedeaux in California as well as workouts with his personal trainer in South Florida. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback has yet to address his reasons for staying away from the team facility this spring after taking part in previous years.
“I expect him to be here at mandatory minicamp. I know he’s working hard,” Harbaugh said. “Lamar Jackson’s a hard worker, so I’m not worried about how hard he’s working. I fully expect him to come back in great shape — that’s what he talks about — and I’m sure he’s throwing and I’m sure he’s doing a good job.
“When he gets back here, we’ll be rolling with Lamar. Right now, we roll with the guys we’ve got. When he gets here, he’ll merge right in with everybody and we’ll go to work with Lamar.”
Jackson is playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, which will pay him just over $23 million in 2022, but the Ravens brass has noted on multiple occasions that the 2019 NFL MVP hasn’t wanted to engage in extension talks this offseason. Baltimore is all but guaranteed to use the franchise tag should the sides not strike a deal by next March.
Teammates have offered nothing but support when asked about Jackson’s absence from voluntary OTAs this spring, but mandatory minicamp will provide the most complete look at the 2022 roster to date and a greater level of competitiveness with training camp less than two months away.
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“That’s the biggest thing. Just ramping up the competition now because we’ve been at this for like five weeks now,” inside linebacker Patrick Queen said. “Let’s go play football now. I know we’re not going to have pads on or anything, but it’s still good to get your true ‘ones’ versus your true ‘ones’ and stuff, so I’m looking forward to it.”
As was the case with the first two OTA workouts open to media, Jackson wasn’t the only veteran missing from the field with offensive tackle Morgan Moses, cornerback Kyle Fuller, safety Marcus Williams, and defensive linemen Calais Campbell and Michael Pierce absent and not believed to be dealing with any injury issues. Williams was present for last week’s sessions, and Harbaugh noted that Moses had taken part on Monday and Tuesday this week.
Offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James was present and working on Wednesday after not being present for the first two OTA days that were open to reporters. The 30-year-old missed all of 2021 after suffering a torn Achilles tendon last spring and has played in just three games since the end of the 2018 season.
“He’s been doing good. I haven’t really noticed the Achilles,” Harbaugh said. “We haven’t done any power blocking, and he hasn’t had to move anybody off the ball yet, so, obviously that comes in training camp when the pads come on. But he’s moving really well. He looks good. He’s in great shape. I feel great about him.”
Second-year guard Ben Cleveland and rookie running back Ricky Person were also participating on Wednesday after missing last week’s open workout.
Previously injured players not taking part on Wednesday included running backs J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Gus Edwards (knee), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), outside linebackers Tyus Bowser (Achilles) and David Ojabo (Achilles), cornerbacks Marcus Peters (knee) and Iman Marshall (knee), safety Ar’Darius Washington (foot), and defensive end Derek Wolfe (hip/back).
