With the Ravens conducting their final fully open practice of the summer on Thursday, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The Shaun Wade trade provided a long-term mulligan and the chance to avoid waiving someone selected in the fifth round, which has typically served as a demarcation line for cutting rookie picks. Depth was a factor, but the Ravens wouldn’t have done this if they really liked what they saw.
2. Sammy Watkins has missed over a week with “not a serious injury,” per John Harbaugh. “It was better to get him 100%. Like he says, you’re never 100%, but we’re trying to get him as close as we can.” I suspect that mindset begins shifting next week with September approaching.
3. My guess is we’ll see Lamar Jackson play against Washington as long as Ronnie Stanley is out there at left tackle for his own preseason debut. It’s unlikely to be for long, but getting the likes of James Proche and Josh Oliver some live-game snaps with Jackson would be helpful.
4. With Jackson and Tyler Huntley currently being the only healthy quarterbacks on the roster, some have expressed angst about Jackson being forced into extensive action if Huntley were to get hurt, but Sam Koch is ready just in case. “I hope it doesn’t get to that point.” Agreed, Sam.
"I'm always willing to step up." QB @Sam_Koch4 pic.twitter.com/dLkfNNtNsS
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 26, 2021
5. Harbaugh said Trace McSorley has begun throwing and “would be ready to some degree early in the season.” That’s notable in attempting to predict how Baltimore handles his roster status. Waiving him with an injury designation would complicate trying to get him on the practice squad in a timely manner.
6. The Wade trade likely helps the roster hopes of Ar’Darius Washington, who’s seen extensive time at the nickel this summer. The rookie broke up a few passes during Thursday’s practice and will have another opportunity to showcase his ball skills Saturday. Contributions on special teams would really help his cause.
7. Tyre Phillips and Ben Cleveland may not catch Ben Powers for the Week 1 starting left guard job, but Saturday could provide important game reps for both. Phillips has bounced between guard and tackle while Cleveland just needs to play after missing such valuable time with the concussion.
8. You’d have to go back to outside linebacker John Simon from the 2013 draft to find a fully healthy Ravens fourth-round pick not to make the team in his second preseason. Unfortunately, Ben Bredeson hasn’t looked like someone on the favorable side of the bubble since the spring.
9. With Watkins, Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, and Miles Boykin still out, wide receivers like Proche, Devin Duvernay, Tylan Wallace, and Jaylon Moore have the opportunity to shine, especially if Jackson plays some. Their realistic outcomes may differ, but all have something to gain.
10. Sidelined since early August, Deon Cain returned to practice and caught a beautiful deep ball from Jackson with Chris Westry in coverage. The 6-foot-2 receiver flashed early in camp before getting hurt and would have a good case for a spot on the practice squad if healthy.
11. Michael Schofield is an eighth-year veteran still in the conversation as the potential swing tackle, but he had a rough time Thursday with Odafe Oweh and others beating him soundly in a series of full-team reps. That drew an unfavorable response from offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris.
12. Thursday was the last time reporters were permitted to watch all of practice with the Ravens now moving into regular-season mode. That will make it much more difficult to gauge position battles and the progress of any returning players, especially with no official injury report until Sept. 9.
