With the Ravens concluding their joint practices in Spartanburg and preparing for their second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Mark Andrews dealing with “pretty serious cramping” led to a scary scene at the conclusion of Thursday’s workout, but John Harbaugh said it didn’t appear to be related to the star tight end’s Type 1 diabetes. He wasn’t taken to the hospital, but the medical staff will obviously be cautious.
2. As Andrews noted Wednesday, joint practices allow players to “feel the game speed” and “normalize” it in a controlled environment. Calais Campbell said practicing against unfamiliar opponents leads to “learning on the fly and having to make adjustments” compared to facing teammates you know in and out. Makes sense.
3. With Sammy Watkins and Devin Duvernay joining Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, and Miles Boykin among the wide receivers not practicing Thursday, the second preseason game is setting up to showcase James Proche if the offensive line can provide quarterbacks enough time. That’s a big if at this point.
4. Harbaugh wouldn’t disclose whether Lamar Jackson will play on Saturday night, but the wide receiver picture looks even worse than last week. Though Kevin Zeitler might be back out there for the offensive line, you’re still looking at suboptimal circumstances to put your franchise quarterback out there for very long.
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5. After playing four snaps last week, Tavon Young figures to play more against Carolina in a good litmus test. Last week, Chris Hewitt acknowledged the Ravens using “kid gloves” with Young, but you’d like to see where he is after playing just one full game since the start of 2019.
6. Given the current state of the wide receiver position and Andrews’ uncertain status, Greg Roman taking a careful look at J.K. Dobbins as a receiver out of the backfield in Saturday’s game seems plausible. The second-year back reiterated it being “a big point of emphasis” for him this offseason.
7. Patrick Queen shined in the preseason opener with Pro Football Focus charting him as the first-contact defender five times in 20 defensive snaps, but Wink Martindale saying he wants to see him “playing faster longer” was interesting after Queen admitted not being in good game shape entering last season.
8. With camp attention on other outside linebackers, Tyus Bowser has felt like a forgotten man. That’s not to suggest he hasn’t had a good camp, but I’m fascinated to see how increased snaps translate for someone whose 13.1% pressure rate ranked in the top 25 among edge defenders, per PFF.
9. Harbaugh said Marlon Humphrey’s absence is “not going to be too long,” but the Ravens will be extremely careful with a groin strain to their best defensive player. Humphrey being on the field as an observer for the joint practices was a good sign.
10. How Tyler Huntley performs over the next couple weeks could go a long way in determining how much urgency the Ravens feel to keep Trace McSorley in the organization. Getting him to the practice squad would require him clearing waivers and forgoing potential opportunities elsewhere after losing the backup competition.
11. Ja’Wuan James has been a frequent observer at practices and doesn’t show the pronounced lower leg atrophy you see with some players recovering from Achilles injuries. That’s not to predict he’ll be able to play later this season, but it’d be interesting to know what his rehab timeline looks like.
12. The joint practices were a reunion of sorts with Harbaugh and others getting to talk with former Ravens Josh Bynes and Rashaan Melvin. Bynes would make a good coach should he be interested in that after his playing days. Ex-Raven — and former Panther — Haruki Nakamura was also in attendance.
