OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens suffered their biggest injury scare of the summer when All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton hurt his left leg late in Sunday’s practice.
The scene brought a hush over the hundreds of fans in attendance and prompted head coach John Harbaugh, quarterback Lamar Jackson, and tight end Isaiah Likely to go to the sideline to check on the defensive star, who pulled up and fell to the ground trying to make a play on the ball during an 11-on-11 rep. Fortunately, Baltimore seemed to have dodged a bullet after watching Hamilton limp off the practice field and trainers accompany him inside.
“It looks stable. It looks good,” Harbaugh said. “Obviously, we’ll continue to do some tests tonight and tomorrow to make sure, but first indications are that he’s fine.”
There’s no understating how valuable the 23-year-old Hamilton has become with his ability to play multiple positions and make an impact at every level of the defense, dynamic versatility that earned him first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in only his second season.
Hamilton’s injury scare occurred less than 48 hours after first-round rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins hurt his shoulder early in the second half of Friday’s preseason loss to Philadelphia. Wiggins collected three pass breakups and three tackles in his first NFL game action, so the Ravens were relieved when tests revealed no significant damage to his right shoulder.
Wiggins sat out Sunday’s practice, but his availability for Week 1 is not in question.
“Wiggins is not a serious injury. He has the same one that I got last week on the water slide [fumble drill],” said Harbaugh, who noted that he sprained his AC joint taking part in that drill last Tuesday. “I think we’re good.”
The Ravens have quality depth in the secondary, but Harbaugh confirmed slot cornerback Arthur Maulet will be sidelined “probably the first couple weeks” of the regular season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last week. You certainly don’t want to test that depth too much with the Sept. 5 opener in Kansas City still more than three weeks away.
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman remained sidelined and hasn’t practiced since hurting his midsection making a highlight touchdown catch last Monday. However, Harbaugh said the fourth-year wideout should return “really soon” and didn’t sound concerned about his status.
After signing wide receiver Russell Gage last week, the Ravens officially added another veteran wideout in Anthony Miller on Sunday.
“Sometimes, you’re playing the opportunities. There’s an opportunity to bring those guys in who’ve done some things,” Harbaugh said. “Russell has had a ton of catches in the league. Anthony has been in the league two or three years, and he’s a talented guy. He hasn’t broken through yet, but we’re impressed with his talent. He had a workout [and] looked very good. He looks like he’s in great shape.
“Why not take a look at these guys and see what they can do and see if they can make a push?”
It’s not a secret that the young wide receivers in camp haven’t made much of a push to make the roster, leaving the door open for a possible veteran addition.
In addition to Miller, the Ravens signed punter Jack Browning as an additional kicking leg for the remainder of the preseason. To make roster room, Baltimore waived guard TyKeem Doss and long snapper Randen Plattner on Sunday.
Others absent from Sunday’s practice included center Tyler Linderbaum, running back Rasheen Ali (stinger), safety Sanoussi Kane (stinger), inside linebacker Chris Board (concussion), and outside linebacker Quincy Roche.
Cornerback T.J. Tampa (sports hernia surgery) and running Keaton Mitchell (knee) remain on the physically unable to perform list. Harbaugh noted that Tampa, a fourth-round rookie, is “getting close” to practicing while acknowledging his return is unlikely to come this week.
