With the Ravens holding their final full day of open practice ahead of traveling to Dallas for Saturday night’s preseason game against the Cowboys, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Rashod Bateman had a busy Wednesday with multiple catches, which included a beautiful 45-yard touchdown from Lamar Jackson against Chidobe Awuzie and Sanoussi Kane in coverage. Matching his 16.8 yards per catch and nine touchdowns from 2024 won’t be easy, but Bateman remains Baltimore’s best vertical threat.
2. The Ravens practice as many in-game situations as possible, and Thursday’s workout included an obscure end-of-half free kick, which Tyler Loop made from 67 yards. Of course, John Harbaugh admitted being “very jealous” that Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers achieved that rarity last season. Brotherly rivalries never wane.
3. Otherwise, Loop went 7-for-9 with a long field goal of 52 yards and misses from 46 and 45 yards. Virtually all of the rookie’s misses this summer have been wide left, but both of these went right. One hopes he gets plenty of opportunities in these final two preseason games.
4. I wasn’t quite seeing the early-camp buzz for Devontez Walker that’s since quieted down, but the second-year receiver beat Nate Wiggins in coverage to catch a fade from Jackson for a red-zone touchdown. Walker has definitely improved, but there are so many mouths to feed in this offense.
5. Kyle Hamilton has been a sideline observer recently, a sign that he’s on the verge of returning to practice. Meanwhile, Jaire Alexander has missed four consecutive days. Harbaugh said Alexander was “OK” without elaborating Sunday, but his extensive injury history will always warrant concerns.
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6. Speaking of cornerbacks, Jalyn Armour-Davis not practicing Wednesday was notable with the second preseason game looming. With Baltimore again expected to hold out its top four corners, T.J. Tampa figures to have another busy night against Dallas. He picked off Cooper Rush during an 11-on-11 period Wednesday.
7. Having coached LaJohntay Wester at Florida Atlantic, Willie Taggart isn’t surprised by the strong impression the rookie’s made. Wester told Taggart he planned to “introduce myself to the city tonight” before last Thursday’s 87-yard touchdown. “Nobody recruited him, and … he just showed he was a heck of a football player.”
8. Who would have guessed four years ago that Justice Hill would become someone deemed too valuable to play in the preseason? Even with Keaton Mitchell returning to pre-injury form, Hill remains entrenched as the third-down back because of his pass protection and pass-catching ability.
9. Interest in the 6-foot-6, 370-pound nose tackle C.J. Okoye has gained steam with even the team website doing a story on the Nigerian native who only began playing organized football a couple years ago. After improving “light years” in Harbaugh’s words, Okoye is someone to continue watching in preseason.
10. While I’m not sure there’s a direct competition between Adisa Isaac — who carries two additional years of contractual control — and David Ojabo for a roster spot, the former was shaken up during Wednesday’s practice and had his shoulder wrapped. That’s something to monitor entering Saturday night.
11. One of Wednesday’s great scenes was Super Bowl XXXV champion and two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael McCrary talking shop with rookie Mike Green at the end of practice. Green’s motor has been praised by coaches, and McCrary epitomized that kind of relentless mindset as a player.
12. Wednesday marked the final day with fans in attendance. Though the Ravens will never fully replicate past summers in Westminster, veterans such as Roquan Smith and Tylan Wallace and rookie roster hopefuls like Reuben Lowery signing autographs for young fans long after the horn sounded made plenty of special memories.
