The Ravens continued to be without rookie linebacker Courtney Upshaw Thursday as the top draft pick recovers from a shoulder injury.
The 35th overall pick has missed four straight practices after sustaining a shoulder injury in Saturdayโs workout. Upshaw appeared to suffer a stinger in a collision with rookie running back Bernard Pierece, but the 272-pound linebacker finished practice.
Though the Ravens want to see Upshaw return to action as heโs expected to be the starting strongside linebacker, they arenโt concerned as long as the 22-year-old is ready to play in preseason games, starting with the opener in Atlanta next Thursday.
โIโll start getting worried if itโs halfway through the preseason,โ defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. โWhat we just need to do is get him out there, especially in some preseason games, and have him hit, get hit, and actually play. Itโs one thing to go out and practice. Thereโs different situations here in practice that are just not the same as game-type tempo and game-type situations, and thatโs why we need to get him out there. Iโm not too concerned, yet, until if we get down the road and heโs not playing any games. Then I will be concerned.โ
In Upshawโs absence, Albert McClellan and Sergio Kindle have received more reps with the starting defense, and coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week that McClellan is competing for the starting job. Upshaw has an impressive pedigree after playing in the vaunted Alabama defense, but he failed his first attempt at the teamโs conditioning test at the start of training camp and the team would like to see him slim down a bit as heโll be expected to drop into pass coverage more than he did in college.
While the Ravens labeled it a shoulder bruise, itโs appearing more likely the injury is more severe than that. Upshaw has walked out to the practice field during the latter portion of a few practices this week after receiving treatment on the shoulder.
โCourtney Upshaw got a bruise on his shoulder, so he is out for now,โ Harbaugh said Monday afternoon after Upshaw missed his first practice. โItโs a bruise, and heโll just take the time that it takes to get healed up. Jimmy Smith bruised his shoulder [Saturday], too, and he was able to get back [Monday]. So, it kind of gives you an indication.โ
Unlike Smith, however, Upshawโs recovery time has taken much longer.
Ravens more interested to see banged-up Upshaw in game situations
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.
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