OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Having lost five players to season-ending injury, suspension, or retirement since June 1 and currently without starting quarterback Joe Flacco, the Ravens had to be excited to see two star players back on the field Thursday.
Six-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda and two-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker C.J. Mosley were present and working for the start of training camp after missing spring workouts. Both underwent offseason shoulder surgeries, and it hadn’t been clear when they would be ready to return this summer.
Yanda worked only on a limited basis, but his return alleviates any lingering concern about his availability for the start of the regular season. The 32-year-old missed three games with a left shoulder injury that forced him to move from right guard to the left side last season, but that didn’t stop him from making a sixth consecutive Pro Bowl.
Head coach John Harbaugh revealed in May that Mosley had undergone the procedure, but he was active in his first practice since the end of last season. With Kamalei Correa taking over for former starter Zach Orr at the weak-side inside linebacker spot, the Ravens will count on Mosley to help tutor the 2016 second-round pick who only played sparingly as a rookie.
“C.J. really wants to go out and practice,” Harbaugh said. “He wants to get his legs underneath him and get moving. I thought he practiced great. Anytime your top players are out there, it makes you feel good.”
Free-agent newcomer Tony Jefferson sat out most of Thursday’s practice as Harbaugh revealed that he underwent sports hernia surgery after June’s mandatory minicamp. The strong safety told his coach that he’s 100 percent, but he was limited to individual work.
Former starter Lardarius Webb filled in for him next to Eric Weddle in the defensive backfield.
“He is so mad at me right now, but I put him through individual [drills] and held him out the rest of it,” said Harbaugh about Jefferson. “I just want to make sure that he does not burst too quickly and have something reoccur. That is my decision to ease him back in there a little bit.”
As expected, Flacco was absent from practice and is expected to sit out the first week in hopes of calming down a back issue. Backup Ryan Mallett took the first-team reps, but Ravens players downplayed any negative impact from Flacco’s absence at this early stage of camp.
“We’re all professionals,” wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. “While you would like to have all your guns, if something doesn’t work, you have to move on to the next. The most important thing right now is for Joe to get healthy. When Joe is out here, we’ll get the work in. Right now, we’re going to get all the reps we can get in with Ryan.”
Defensive tackle Carl Davis (pectoral) and tight ends Benjamin Watson (Achilles tendon), Crockett Gillmore (hamstring), and Maxx Williams (knee) were all practicing after missing time during spring organized team activites.
Wide receiver Michael Campanaro (toe) remains on the active physically unable to perform list, but his return to practice is considered close.
