OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg are anticipating quarterback Joe Flacco’s return to the practice field sooner than later.
With the team having already said Flacco is expected to be ready for the season opener in Cincinnati on Sept. 10, Mornhinweg was asked if there was a specific time he’d like to see the 10th-year quarterback back at practice to remain confident that the offense would be ready to go. Presumably not wanting to give away any specifics, his answer sounded more like something out of a comedy routine.
OC Marty Mornhinweg gives an update on Joe Flacco's timetable to return. pic.twitter.com/CcjAFXbJF3
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 23, 2017
“Well, I think I know and at least Joe thinks he knows when this will happen. That way, I think I know, so we think we know. Look, if it’s before that or a little bit before — it’s probably not going to be much before — or a little bit after, we’ll adjust the plan. As long as he’s back with a reasonable amount of time to prepare, I think we’re going to be just fine there.”
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Though Flacco hasn’t been seen on the sideline at practices open to media or during the first two preseason games, Mornhinweg confirmed he’s been very active in mental preparations for the new season. The next step will be getting him enough practice time to prove that his back is healthy and to shake off enough rust before facing the Bengals.
The offensive coordinator said he met with Flacco individually for over an hour earlier this week to go over offensive schemes. The quarterback hasn’t met with reporters since late July, leaving his daily routine to largely remain a mystery over the last four weeks. Beyond receiving treatment in the training room, it’s unclear whether Flacco has yet begun any physical preparations such as throwing the football.
“He’s in all of our team meetings, offensive meetings as well as the group and quarterback meetings — all of the meetings with very few exceptions,” Mornhinweg said. “He is on it. The day before yesterday, we went through a little scenario, and he’s on it that way. Now, I’m sort of twitching to get him on the field here one of these days and then we’ll have a nice little plan for him there.”
Whatever the plan is beyond him sitting out the final two preseason games, the Ravens remain tight-lipped with the opener less than three weeks away.
