The Ravens called off practice to visit some special places on Monday.
The itinerary included touring the Pentagon, watching the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and visiting John F. Kennedy’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery. Two players — wide receiver and Naval Academy graduate Keenan Reynolds and safety and former Marine Otha Foster — were allowed to take part in the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“Our team has worked hard throughout this offseason and training camp,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “Our coaches appreciate and respect that effort. The team deserves a day away from the fields and meetings and an opportunity to spend some time together away from the facility.
“How fortunate and blessed are we to experience a day like this. It’s humbling, and we are so appreciative.”
Harbaugh has taken players on occasional excursions in the past, but the timing of this one was aided by the fact that 16 players on the preseason roster missed practice on Sunday. Players were already scheduled to have Tuesday off before returning to practice in preparation for the third preseason game against Buffalo this Saturday.
A pair of rookies were new absences on Sunday as third-round outside linebacker Tim Williams and undrafted wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo were absent during the portion of practice open to media. Adeboyejo has been dealing with a knee issue in recent days, but it was unclear why Williams wasn’t participating.
Running back Danny Woodhead was absent for a second straight day as Harbaugh confirmed that the veteran was “banged up” in the preseason win over Miami, but he didn’t specify what the 32-year-old was dealing with. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey missed practice once again with what’s believed to be a hamstring issue.
Other players remaining sidelined on Sunday included quarterback Joe Flacco (back), wide receiver Breshad Perriman (hamstring), offensive tackles Ronnie Stanley (undisclosed) and Stephane Nembot (undisclosed), cornerbacks Robertson Daniel (undisclosed), Brandon Boykin (undisclosed), and Maurice Canady (knee), and linebacker Donald Payne (undisclosed).
Cornerback Tavon Young (knee), wide receiver Tim White (thumb), and guards Alex Lewis (shoulder) and Nico Siragusa (knee) remain on the 90-man preseason roster, but all are expected to miss the entire 2017 season and will be placed on injured reserve at the end of the preseason.
Flacco becomes “Weapon X”
Reporters and fans have joked that glimpses of Flacco this summer have been as rare as Bigfoot with the 10th-year quarterback not being on the sideline during practices or games, but wide receiver Mike Wallace says there’s a reason for that.
“When he comes back, you all are going to see,” said Wallace as he laughed. “He has gained like 30 pounds of muscle, and he is running like a 4.5 [40-yard dash] now. I’m telling you guys, it’s crazy! You have to see him. He is under wraps. He is like Weapon X. He is under wraps right now, but when he comes back, it is going to be crazy.”
Flacco will not play in the preseason, but the Ravens continue to expect him to be ready for the season opener in Cincinnati on Sept. 10. Despite the quarterback’s extended absence, Wallace says he isn’t concerned about the Ravens offense not having enough time to get in sync.
“Joe is a vet. He has been 10 years in the game,” Wallace said. “He has won a Super Bowl, he has been in every situation. He might need to knock a little rust off, but hopefully we can knock that out in those days of practice before Week 1. Once we get into the game, all it will take is a couple plays, and then you feel like you are in the game. It is like, ‘OK, let’s go.'”
Ricard the traitor
Rookie defensive lineman Patrick Ricard has received many looks at fullback this summer, which has drawn playful jealousy and ire from other members of his position group.
Defensive tackle Brandon Williams admitted being envious about Ricard’s opportunity to play offense while outside linebacker Terrell Suggs apparently feels betrayed.
“‘Sizz’ calls me a traitor going to the other side of the ball and hitting them,” said Ricard, who played fullback and tight end in high school. “But it’s all fun and games. They all like it.”
