With the Ravens practicing in full pads for the second straight day on Tuesday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Actual news from camp typically isn’t good, and Isaiah Likely rolled his ankle in a 1-on-1 drill late in practice. Baltimore hopes an MRI will confirm the expectation that he’ll miss only “a few weeks.” Time remains on Likely’s side with the season opener still 5 1/2 weeks away.
2. You never touch the quarterback in practice, which creates an interesting evaluation when Lamar Jackson takes off with the football. Malaki Starks got close before peeling off, but Jackson kept going for what was deemed a long touchdown. Kyle Hamilton was among the defenders unhappy there wasn’t a whistle blown.
3. As John Harbaugh expected, Jaire Alexander returned to practice a day after having his knee drained and quickly stood out with a pass breakup on a Jackson throw to the sideline. Players on both sides of the ball really seem to be embracing his unique personality too.
4. On another sideline jump ball similar to Monday’s end-zone throw, Nate Wiggins got a piece of Jackson’s pass that DeAndre Hopkins couldn’t corral until he was on the ground and a couple yards out of bounds. The second-year corner continues to be tested and keeps making plays on the ball.
5. Devontez Walker made a sliding grab in front of Starks in a full-team drill and looks the part as an interesting depth piece early on. Opportunities could be scarce with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Hopkins ahead of him, but the Ravens have to be pleased with Walker’s development.
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6. It remains to be seen whether Sanoussi Kane can hold up in coverage well enough to be the No. 3 safety, but his physicality isn’t in question. He delivered quite a sideline stick on Marcus Major, who nearly went through the barricade where reporters were standing. That got our attention.
7. You never know where Jackson is going to go with the football, a lesson Dayton Wade learned when he was wide open despite apparently not being a primary read on one play. The second-year receiver wasn’t ready when Jackson threw his way, which resulted in a bad drop.
8. After an underwhelming spring, Cooper Rush seems to be dealing with a leg issue that’s hindered his mobility in recent practices. There’s certainly a learning curve adjusting to a new team and offense, but I’m hoping to see more from the veteran backup when preseason games begin.
9. Coaches are still giving David Ojabo reps with the first-team rotation, but most of his flashes still come against backups. Whether it’s to secure a 53-man roster spot or draw trade interest, the upcoming joint practices and preseason games are going to be critical for him.
10. The heat in Owings Mills has been a challenge, but players continue to hold up well, which is a compliment to their work as well as the staff for keeping them hydrated and in good condition. The 370-pound Daniel Faalele struggled some Tuesday, but he still finished practice.
11. The pads always remind Odafe Oweh of his first football experience at Blair Academy and being on the kickoff team. “Some little guy, he ran right under my ribs and knocked me out, took the wind out of me. I had to go to the hospital.” Oweh turned out OK.
12. Todd Monken has an awesome tradition of picking out a young fan to play catch after each practice. On Tuesday, Marlon Humphrey joined the fun and committed pass interference, prompting Monken to throw his play sheet as a pretend penalty flag. That’s a fun way to make a lifelong fan.
