OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman left the field earlier this week with a hamstring issue originally not believed to be serious, but he missed his second straight practice Thursday.
When he’ll return remains unclear with head coach John Harbaugh not exactly painting a picture suggesting an imminent return. The 2015 first-round pick earned strong reviews in offseason workouts and is aiming to break out after catching 33 passes for 499 yards and three touchdowns last season.
Perriman missed his entire rookie season with a partially-torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and missed most of training camp last year with a partially-torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that did not require surgery. He returned to play in all 16 games in 2016 and is expected to serve as Baltimore’s No. 3 receiver behind veterans Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace this season.
“Things happen for a reason, and maybe this is a blessing in disguise,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll continue to work on all the things he needs to work on, in terms of his body, catching, things like that. He’ll get the mental work in the [walk-through] practices. I would say he’s had a plus camp, and hopefully it’ll lead to a really good season.
“I’ll also follow with [saying] I wish we had him out there practicing the rest of the time, obviously, but that’s what we have right now.”
Wide receivers coach Bobby Engram described Perriman’s development as “night and day” compared to last year as he’s shown more consistent hands and improved route-running ability. Quarterback Joe Flacco also praised the strides the young receiver had made this spring, making this latest ailment a disappointing development for an offense in need of youthful upside.
Of course, the Ravens are wise to be cautious with the start of the regular season still five weeks away.
“I think he’ll be fine,” said Engram about Perriman’s mindset after another physical challenge. “Obviously, it is a part of our profession, which none of us like to deal with. But mentally, he is in a really good place. He has a great group of guys in this room that are supporting him. He knows this organization is behind him. He just has to get healthy, come back, and let’s roll.”
Flacco missed his seventh consecutive practice with a back issue as the Ravens continue to roll with Ryan Mallett leading the starting offense. Center Ryan Jensen was also absent with an undisclosed issue while former practice-squad member Matt Skura served as the first-team center during Thursday’s practice.
Others missing from Thursday’s workout included first-round rookie cornerback Marlon Humphrey (undisclosed), wide receiver Kenny Bell (hamstring), offensive lineman Brandon Kublanow (undisclosed), and defensive backs Maurice Canady (knee) and Sheldon Price (undisclosed). Humphrey did not take part in a large portion of Wednesday’s practice.
Harbaugh also gave a lengthy list of veterans the day off as wide receiver Mike Wallace, running back Danny Woodhead, tight end Benjamin Watson, cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr, safety Lardarius Webb, and linebackers Terrell Suggs and Albert McClellan were not present during the morning session.
Recently-signed tight end Larry Donnell left practice after hurting his hand and did not return, but Harbaugh wasn’t aware of the severity at the conclusion of practice. The Ravens can hardly afford to lose another player at the position with Dennis Pitta, Darren Waller, and Crockett Gillmore already gone for the season.
