(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.
