OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As the Ravens hit the field Wednesday to continue preparations for their AFC North showdown with Pittsburgh, all eyes were on the two individuals making their first practice appearances for Baltimore.
Edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue and wide receiver Dez Bryant drew a larger-than-normal media contingent as teammates also expressed enthusiasm for their arrivals during the portion of practice open to reporters. Despite being pushed down the team’s unofficial depth chart in favor of Ngakoue at rush linebacker, the 31-year-old Pernell McPhee was “all smiles” pondering what the University of Maryland product might bring to a pass rush already tied for fifth in the NFL with 22 sacks entering Week 8.
“I think he’s going to really help complete this defense,” said McPhee, who was excited just to hit the practice field with Ngakoue for the first time on Wednesday. “He’s definitely a guy who can win an edge rush one-on-one. He definitely is a guy who can cause havoc. I’m just excited to have him on my team and be my teammate.”
Expectations for Bryant are a bit more complicated as the former Dallas Cowboy and three-time Pro Bowl selection took part in his first NFL practice in nearly two years. Turning 32 next week, Bryant appears unlikely to play against the Steelers this week as he works his way into football shape and was sporting a No. 11 scout-team jersey during Wednesday’s practice, an indication that he was imitating Steelers rookie receiver Chase Claypool against the Ravens defense during practice. Bryant is listed as wearing No. 88 on Baltimore’s roster, the same jersey number he wore in Dallas.
Reluctant to speak about Bryant regarding either of his two workouts for the Ravens, head coach John Harbaugh did his best to temper expectations for someone who hasn’t played in the NFL since the end of the 2017 season or posted a 1,000-yard season since 2014.
“He hasn’t played for how many years? We’ll see where he’s at,” Harbaugh said. “There’s a lot to learn. He looked good in the workout. I don’t think you need to make too much more of it than that. He’s on our practice squad roster, which means he’s available to us. When and if he’s ready to go, he’ll be out there. It’s just really that simple.”
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Harbaugh’s comments didn’t dim the excitement expressed by quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is aiming to get the passing game going after a slow start through the first six games. The Ravens need a consistent third option to emerge behind top wide receiver Marquise Brown and Pro Bowl tight end Nick Boyle with second-year wide receiver Miles Boykin not yet taking the step forward the organization hoped to see.
“It’s tremendous. We just have to see what he’s capable of,” said Jackson, who praised the work of the front office for adding Bryant to the mix. “I see him on [Instagram] a lot doing his thing. He’s grinding [and] getting after it.”
After Harbaugh said Monday that Mark Ingram’s Week 8 status would be “a matter of how he feels as the week goes on,” the veteran running back wasn’t practicing on Wednesday, a full 10 days after he injured his left ankle in the first half of the 30-28 win at Philadelphia. Ingram’s potential absence would mean larger roles for Gus Edwards and rookie J.K. Dobbins as the Ravens prepare to face the league’s second-ranked rush defense.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey was also absent from Wednesday’s practice as he was listed as having an illness, but he hasn’t been placed on the reserve-COVID-19 list and teams are simply being more vigilant sending home any players feeling under the weather to be on the safe side. Humphrey had been scheduled to talk with reporters via Zoom, but he was replaced on the call by veteran cornerback Jimmy Smith, who was limited in Wednesday’s practice with what was listed as an Achilles tendon issue.
Defensive back Anthony Levine was a limited participant in his return from an abdominal strain that forced him out of the Week 6 win over the Eagles while defensive end Derek Wolfe (concussion/neck) and right guard Tyre Phillips (hand) were full participants.
The Steelers held out eight players from Wednesday’s workout for health-related reasons, a list including nickel corner Mike Hilton (shoulder), center Maurkice Pouncey (elbow), wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Diontae Johnson (toe), left tackle Alejandro Villanueva (elbow), and tight end Eric Ebron (elbow). Hilton didn’t play in last Sunday’s win over Tennessee, but most of the aforementioned injuries are considered minor.
8Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DE Calais Campbell (non-injury), QB Robert Griffin III (non-injury), CB Marlon Humphrey (illness), RB Mark Ingram (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DB Anthony Levine (abdomen), CB Jimmy Smith (Achilles)
FULL PARTICIPATION: G Tyre Phillips (hand), DE Derek Wolfe (concussion/neck)
PITTSBURGH
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: S Jordan Dangerfield (quadriceps), G David DeCastro (non-injury), TE Eric Ebron (elbow), CB Mike Hilton (shoulder), WR Diontae Johnson (toe), C Maurkice Pouncey (elbow), QB Ben Roethlisberger (non-injury), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), DE Stephon Tuitt (non-injury), OT Alejandro Villanueva (elbow), NT Chris Wormley (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: FB Derek Watt (hamstring)
