OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After dealing with a shoulder sprain for over a week, linebacker Courtney Upshaw returned to the field as the Ravens worked indoors in their final full practice before traveling to Atlanta for their preseason opener on Thursday night.
The rookie from Alabama last practiced on July 28 after he appeared to suffer the injury in a collision with rookie running back Bernard Pierce. While Upshaw’s return is certainly good news, it’s unlikely he’ll be cleared to play in the Ravens’ first preseason game considering he’s only taken part in one full-pad practice this summer.
Upshaw was very limited in his participation on Tuesday.
“We’ll decide on Thursday, but that would be the thought,” coach John Harbaugh said. “They probably need to practice a little more. He’s been out for over a week, so we probably want to get him [more] practice before we play him.”
The Ravens were practicing in helmets, shells, and shorts on Tuesday afternoon.
Safety Ed Reed was a late arrival on the field after the opening portion of practice and is practicing. The veteran watched the latter portion of Monday’s practice from the sideline and had a black sleeve on his left leg.
Defensive tackle Ma’ake Kemoeatu returned to practice on Tuesday a day after sitting out while running back Anthony Allen, linebacker Jameel McClain, defensive end Pernell McPhee, and right guard Marshal Yanda were all working after sitting out the latter portion of Monday’s practice. Wide receiver Jacoby Jones also left practice early Monday and was watching Tuesday’s practice but did not appear to be participating.
Others absent from the field included offensive linemen Matt Birk (back) and Jah Reid (calf), cornerback Jimmy Smith (back), defensive lineman Arthur Jones (hip), tight end Dennis Pitta (hand), wide receiver Patrick Williams (leg), Pierce (hamstring), and linebackers Darryl Blackstock (groin), Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring), and Josh Bynes (back).
Harbaugh said following practice that players missing from practice on Tuesday would not play in Thursday’s preseason opener. He also revealed the nature of Bynes’ injury, who hasn’t practiced since injuring his back in a goal-line scrimmage session last week.
“He basically chipped a couple pieces off the bony protrusions on the spine,” Harbaugh said. “It happens sometimes in car accidents. It was really unusual for a football injury. It’s about a four-week injury, maybe a five-week injury. So, that’s what he’s doing right now, and he’s coming along really well.”
Linebacker Terrell Suggs (non-football injury list – Achilles tendon) and wide receiver David Reed (physically unable to perform list – knee) are expected to miss the entire preseason.
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