(This blog brought to you by Atlantic Remodeling. Visit www.atlanticremodeling.com to learn about their Red Cent Guarantee!)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens were still missing two starters along their defensive line Monday as Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and defensive end Arthur Jones were absent from the open portion of practice.
Coach John Harbaugh told reporters Sunday that Ngata had been excused to deal with a family issue, but the eighth-year defensive lineman wasn’t on the field in the first 30 minutes of the workout a day later. Jones (undisclosed) was missing for the second straight day after Ravens players were off from practice on Friday and Saturday.
Also missing from Monday’s practice were linebackers Pernell McPhee (knee) and Jameel McClain (neck), wide receiver Deonte Thompson (foot), defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore (knee), offensive lineman Ryan Jensen (foot), and tight end Dennis Pitta (hip). McPhee missed last Thursday’s game against Carolina with what the Ravens are calling a knee injury and the third-year pass rusher hasn’t practiced since then.
Harbaugh had no update on Thompson Sunday as the second-year wideout has been sidelined since Aug. 8 after injuring his foot in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay. His extensive absence has led many to wonder whether the injury is more severe than the Ravens initially indicated. His absence has prevented the coaching staff from evaluating him within the mix of current wide receivers on the roster, further clouding his status moving forward as the organization must trim the roster to 53 players by Saturday.
Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor (concussion) and tight end Ed Dickson (hamstring) were both practicing, but it remained unclear if Taylor had yet been cleared for contact.
The Ravens began Monday with 77 players on their active roster, meaning they must make at least two more moves before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline for NFL teams to get down to 75 players.
Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis was in attendance for Monday’s practice in Owings Mills before traveling with his club to Boston to begin a three-game series on Tuesday.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
Podcast Audio Vault
Right Now in Baltimore
Back in the Hammerjacks groove with Ace Frehley of KISS in 1990
The legendary guitarist reflected on Kiss's merchandising over-commercialization and his past substance abuse issues. Frehley expressed openness to a Kiss reunion if given equal production control.
The Maryland Crab Cake Tour schedule for the holidays is here:
There's no place like home for the holidays and no one more makes us feel more warm and welcome during December than our incredible sponsors, friends, supporters and local businesses that power us up all year-round. The Maryland Crab Cake…
Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray talks baseball at 2000 All Star Game as Rick Sutcliffe busts in on Nestor
During his stint at Sporting News Radio, Nestor broadcast live from the field in Atlanta's Turner Field at the Major League Baseball All Star Game. It's not every morning that a fly guy like McGrath can mix baseball and music…