OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Injured star quarterback Lamar Jackson is in danger of missing a second straight game, but the Ravens hope to welcome back their top defensive player for Sunday’s tilt with the Los Angeles Rams.
While Jackson remained sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 4, Hamilton returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis after sitting out last Sunday’s blowout loss to Houston with a groin injury. His return to the practice field coincided with the arrivals of safeties Alohi Gilman and C.J. Gardner-Johnson as Baltimore tries to revamp the NFL’s worst scoring defense. Gilman, 28, was acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers in the Odafe Oweh trade and is expected to be ready to play a prominent role against the Rams.
“He’s going to give us a lot. He’s a veteran safety,” said head coach John Harbaugh, who also expressed excitement about the practice-squad signing of Gardner-Johnson. “He was in a very similar system. He’s a proven player. He had a really good practice today. I think he’s a good fit for us right now in what we’re looking for. It’s a piece that we’ve kind of been looking for as we’ve went here, really, throughout the season so far. For that to happen is a good thing for our defense.”
Gilman’s presence figures to allow the Ravens to use more three-safety packages with Hamilton reprising the hybrid nickel and dime role he played over the first few years of his career. That allowed him to play closer to the line of scrimmage and be a major factor as a blitzer and run defender. The struggles of safeties Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson last season prompted defensive coordinator Zach Orr to move Hamilton to a more conventional deep safety role to help stabilize a struggling pass defense.
Now in the thralls of a 1-4 start, the Ravens are hoping Hamilton will be able to make more splash plays for a woeful defense that’s managed a total of just two takeaways and six sacks. Gilman — a former teammate of Hamilton’s at Notre Dame — will also take some pressure off first-round rookie safety Malaki Starks, who’s admitted to sometimes playing tentatively through his first five NFL games.
“I can bring flexibility, just bring in that next level of anticipation and just being a playmaker out there, bringing instincts and passion to the game,” Gilman said. “Obviously, I have some chemistry with Kyle. Hopefully, we can get him the best [opportunities] possible for him to thrive and flourish. Just being the best version of me being a ball hawk, being a guy who’s always around the ball and just commanding the defense, I’m excited to do that.”
In addition to Jackson, inside linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (calf) and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) also remained absent from practice. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) practiced on a limited basis after being inactive for the Texans game and leaving after only two offensive series in the Week 4 loss at Kansas City.
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Harbaugh had little to say about the status of Jackson and the other absent players, but their chances of playing against the Rams don’t appear to be good, especially when considering the extra recovery time afforded by next week’s bye. Of course, the Ravens are also trying to avoid falling to a nightmare 1-5 for the first time since 2015.
“Same with all the guys that are dealing with the different injuries,” Harbaugh said. “I think it’ll be indicative as the week goes along and what their status will be going forward.”
The Rams practiced without three starters on Wednesday with starting inside linebacker Omar Speights (ankle) already doubtful to play this week, according to Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay. Right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) and tight end Tyler Higbee (hip) appear in danger of missing a second straight game after sitting out Wednesday’s workout and missing last week’s loss to San Francisco.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), CB Marlon Humphrey (calf), QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring), FB Patrick Ricard (calf), ILB Roquan Smith (hamstring)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Zay Flowers (shoulder), S Kyle Hamilton (groin), OT Joseph Noteboom (ankle), OT Roger Rosengarten (knee), OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle), WR Devontez Walker (oblique)
FULL PARTICIPATION: OT Emery Jones Jr. (shoulder)
LOS ANGELES
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: OL Rob Havenstein (ankle), TE Tyler Higbee (hip), ILB Omar Speights (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S Kamren Kinchens (knee), ILB Nate Landman (ankle), TE Colby Parkinson (concussion)
