With the Ravens practicing in shells and shorts for their 13th full-squad workout of training camp and final open one before the preseason opener, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Keeping Sammy Watkins healthy becomes even more critical now with Rashod Bateman out until “sometime in September,” and the veteran looked reenergized after a day off. Watkins shined during one-on-one drills, caught a pretty touchdown from Lamar Jackson, and reined in another from Trace McSorley.
2. For a second straight day, select veterans received a practice off with Marlon Humphrey and Tavon Young headlining Thursday’s list. Eighteen players not practicing might sound worthy of panic to some, but very few are long-term concerns with the season opener still a month away.
3. Ronnie Stanley has logged limited practice work every other day this week in his return, but the Ravens seem to have backed off Iman Marshall and Otaro Alaka — who have both missed two consecutive practices — in their respective returns from ACL injuries. That’s not encouraging for their roster hopes.
4. John Harbaugh wasn’t about to let anyone cruise in the sweltering heat as he spent time laying into the secondary over some coverage issues and also got after some offensive players at different points. He sent Tyre Phillips from the huddle to the sideline after a false start penalty.
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5. Alejandro Villanueva and Patrick Ricard have missed two straight practices with what Harbaugh described as “little things they’re dealing with.” With Stanley and Zeitler definitely out and Villanueva appearing questionable, there’s just not enough upside to playing Jackson against New Orleans on Saturday.
6. A McSorley screen pass off the hands of Nate McCrary was picked and returned for a touchdown by Kristian Welch, a nice splash play for the second-year inside linebacker vying for a roster spot. What were we saying recently about the Ravens’ inability to run screen passes?
7. After sitting out Wednesday, Odafe Oweh was back at practice wearing a wrap on his left knee. Villanueva has had countless matchups with him in camp and said the rookie might be the fastest player on the field. “It’s crazy to see somebody come off the edge that quickly.”
8. James Proche has drawn more attention for his superb start to camp, but Devin Duvernay made a nice catch with Davontae Harris in coverage on a deep ball from McSorley. With Bateman and Brown sidelined, these 2020 draft picks have a great opportunity to state their case for bigger roles.
9. DeShon Elliott spoke Tuesday about wanting to make more plays on the ball, and he was in the right place at the right time intercepting a high McSorley pass off the hands of Duvernay. Another year removed from his 2019 knee injury, Elliott is moving very well this summer.
10. Kevin Zeitler hasn’t practiced since spraining his foot on Aug. 3, but he was working out on a side field during the latter portion of Thursday’s workout. Ideally, the Ravens would be able to stack practices with their starting offensive line for a solid three weeks before the season opener.
11. Harbaugh didn’t seem fazed when asked about NFL officials cracking down on taunting, saying that his team celebrates with each other and doesn’t do that. “Well, except for the one against Tennessee. I wasn’t upset about that.” It’s a shame that the Titans aren’t on the schedule.
12. Justin Houston reclaimed the No. 50 jersey he’s worn for most of his career with Alaka now wearing No. 56. You hope the third-year inside linebacker got something for the swap, especially with him being on the roster bubble.
