With the Ravens holding their 17th full-team practice of training camp on Monday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. A day after limping off the field with a leg injury, Kyle Hamilton worked out off to the side for a bit and didn’t look like someone who will miss much time. That’s a major sigh of relief with the All-Pro safety definitely falling into that hypothetical season-altering loss category.
2. Rashod Bateman returned to practice after a weeklong absence with an apparent midsection injury, but he was very limited before eventually removing his helmet and shoulder pads roughly an hour into the session and watching the remainder of the workout. We’ll see what Tuesday brings.
3. Not only did John Harbaugh say Daniel Faalele “made a jump in the game” and “passed the test” at right guard, but Ben Cleveland continues working at center and also sat out much of Monday’s practice. If Cleveland is going to push for the right guard job, the clock’s ticking.
4. Many figured Ar’Darius Washington would be on the bubble after Eddie Jackson arrived last month, but Washington is having a strong summer practicing at safety and the nickel and made multiple breakups Monday. Staying healthy has always been his challenge, but Washington looks like a legitimate sub package contributor.
5. Whenever the offense is struggling, Lamar Jackson turns to Mark Andrews or Isaiah Likely to make a play — often times in spectacular fashion. A day after Likely made a highlight one-handed catch, Andrews had one of his own. Todd Monken must get both on the field at the same time.
Sheesh @Mandrews_81 with one
pic.twitter.com/zk0dnZZVQB— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 12, 2024
6. Brandon Stephens hasn’t piled up the interceptions like other defensive backs this summer, but he’s been the steadiest performer at cornerback as he enters a contract year. His coverage has been tight, and he’s rarely out of position when the football does come his way.
7. T.J. Tampa was activated from the physically unable to perform list and practiced on a limited basis for the first time since undergoing double sports hernia surgery in the spring. The rookie cornerback will ramp up, but you’d like to get him some snaps in the final preseason game.
8. Veteran newcomer Anthony Miller made one of the day’s highlight plays with an impressive adjustment to catch a Lamar Jackson deep ball against Jalyn Armour-Davis in tight coverage. Russell Gage has a better chance to stick, but their arrivals certainly reflect the underwhelming performance of the young receivers in camp.
9. Given the depth questions at outside linebacker, the time is now for Odafe Oweh to make a significant jump, but pass rush coach Chuck Smith made a strong defense of Oweh’s 2023 performance, predicting double-digit sacks with increased snaps. That’d go a long way in filling the Jadeveon Clowney void.
10. Smith stated the obvious when it comes to David Ojabo needing to get fully healthy to keep developing. “I just think that if he continues the way that he’s going, he’s going to have success because he’s got [pass-rush] moves.” We’ll see what the next few weeks bring.
11. Signed over the weekend to give Baltimore an extra kicker for the rest of August, Jack Browning had a chance to try a few field goals Monday. Let’s just say Justin Tucker’s job is safe. After a couple misses, Browning received a playful Bronx cheer from teammates upon making one.
12. Jason Garrett was a special visitor at Monday’s practice, which brought back memories of the Ravens courting him to be their head coach in 2008 before he ultimately stayed in Dallas and the organization pivoted to Harbaugh to replace Brian Billick. I’d say that worked out pretty well.
