OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As the Ravens began paring their roster to the league-mandated 75 by Tuesday afternoon, a few key veterans returned to the practice field with the preseason winding down.
Left guard Kelechi Osemele (Achilles), left tackle Eugene Monroe (forearm), cornerback Lardarius Webb (hamstring), and wide receiver Michael Campanaro were all present and working during the portion of Monday’s practice open to reporters. Webb and Campanaro had looked good in pre-game workouts before sitting out Saturday’s preseason contest against Washington, signaling their returns were imminent.
Webb was practicing for the first time since Aug. 11 and missed the first three preseason games with the hamstring issue. The 29-year-old cornerback hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2013.
“He practiced today, and I felt like he looked good,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “He should be on schedule for Week 1. Again, I’m confident. I have faith that he’ll be out there Week 1.”
Monroe took part in individual work during the opening portion of practice and was sporting a pad on his right forearm to protect a deep bruise suffered in the Philadelphia game.
The Ravens began trimming their roster on Monday by announcing the cuts of wide receivers DeAndre Carter, Aldrick Robinson, and Trent Steelman, cornerback Tramain Jacobs, offensive linemen Leon Brown and Marcel Jones, long snapper Patrick Scales, and punter Justin Manton. Of those eight, Carter was the most notable after turning some heads in the spring, but issues with ball security severely damaged his chances of making the roster.
Per Monday’s NFL transactions sheet, the Ravens also placed safety Matt Elam (biceps), linebacker Steven Means (groin), cornerback Chris Greenwood (leg), and tight end Allen Reisner (ankle) on season-ending injured reserve and offensive lineman Darryl Baldwin on the reserve non-football illness list. Earlier this month, Harbaugh had alluded to the possibility of Elam or defensive end Brent Urban (biceps) being placed on IR with the designation to return, but now only the latter remains eligible for that.
Baltimore must make two more moves to get down to 75 players by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
Ten players on the remaining preseason roster were sidelined for Monday’s practice including receiver Breshad Perriman (knee), defensive linemen Timmy Jernigan (knee), Lawrence Guy (knee), and DeAngelo Tyson (shoulder), cornerback Rashaan Melvin, offensive linemen Ryan Jensen (concussion) and De’Ondre Wesley (knee), running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee), tight end Dennis Pitta (hip), and Urban.
Only six defensive linemen were practicing for the Ravens on Monday, which was problematic three games before the fourth preseason game in Atlanta. Numbers could be a concern as Harbaugh would prefer to rest starters Brandon Williams and Chris Canty on Thursday night.
