OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A simple question about the absence of Ravens rookie tight end Hayden Hurst from recent practices prompted a spirited commentary from John Harbaugh on Monday.
The 11th-year head coach spoke about the scaled-back nature of collegiate practices in recent years and how they might negatively impact players’ transition to the NFL. Hurst hasn’t practiced since Thursday while dealing with a “soft-tissue” injury while fellow rookie tight end Mark Andrews has battled a hamstring issue since the end of spring and missed his second practice of training camp on Monday.
“Guys coming out of college aren’t as callused up as they used to be,” Harbaugh said. “We used to practice twice a day in full pads [in college]. … It’s not even close to the same thing. There’s a certain type of ‘in shape,’ certain type of football fitness, certain type of callousness — muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments that kind of toughen up. They callus up a little bit, and you can practice all day and run all day.
“Our guys coming in right now, most of them don’t have that. So, [they] practice for half a practice, and all of a sudden things start tweaking on them.”
Harbaugh cited veteran tight ends Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams taking extra reps in the rookies’ absence and not missing a beat since they’re “callused up” and “know how to practice” at this level. The head coach went out of his way to make sure his comments weren’t viewed as a direct shot at Hurst or Andrews, but it was an interesting rant less than a full week into summer workouts.
The Ravens are expecting big things from Hurst in particular this season as the first-round pick has received extensive reps with the starting offense for much of the spring and summer. Boyle and Maxx Williams combined for just 43 catches for 289 yards and one touchdown last year, leaving a clear need for Hurst — and perhaps Andrews — to contribute immediately.
“It’s a big effect. You have to be out here practicing,” said Harbaugh of Hurst. “You can’t be in the training room and expect to be your best. It’s not his fault; it’s nobody’s fault. He’s in there doing everything he can to get back, but it’s part of the deal.”
On the positive side, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, defensive end Brent Urban, and inside linebacker Kenny Young returned to the practice field after missing Sunday’s session.
Cornerbacks Jimmy Smith (Achilles tendon) and Maurice Canady (knee) were given the day off, according to Harbaugh. Offensive lineman Greg Senat and cornerback Bennett Jackson remained sidelined along with the four players on the active physically unable to perform list: guard Marshal Yanda (shoulder), linebacker Bam Bradley (knee), cornerback Jaylen Hill (knee), and wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo (leg).
The Ravens appeared to dodge a bullet when left guard Alex Lewis had his left ankle rolled into by another player late in Monday’s practice. He appeared to be in pain and was helped to the sideline, but the 2016 fourth-round pick returned to action and completed practice without incident.
Crabtree shines in red zone
Veteran wide receiver Michael Crabtree’s ability to make plays in the red zone was a major draw for the Ravens signing him after he caught a combined 25 touchdowns in his three seasons with Oakland.
That skill was on display Monday during a 7-on-7 red-zone drill as the 30-year-old made a great adjustment on a back-shoulder throw from quarterback Joe Flacco that was off the mark. They simply didn’t have a pass-catching target last year to turn that kind of an errant throw into a touchdown catch.
“It looks like it’s a bad pass, but for Crabtree, that’s a good pass to him,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said last week. “Joe can throw the ball, I feel like, a little more accurately with a guy like [him].”
Threat to Tucker?
Rookie Kaare Vedvik certainly isn’t pushing for two-time Pro Bowl kicker Justin Tucker’s job, but that hasn’t stopped the Marshall product from impressing as he booted a 67-yard field goal on Monday
“He had a little wind at his back,” said Harbaugh as he laughed. “But he just kicks them straight. He’s a very talented guy. I’m expecting he either beats Tucker out or someone trades us a draft pick for him. What do you think? Which one do you think it could be?”
A strong summer could put Vedvik on the radar in the same way Wil Lutz did two years ago when he was signed by New Orleans after kicking for Baltimore in the 2016 preseason.
Odds & ends
It remains unclear whether the Ravens will reschedule Saturday’s free and open practice at M&T Bank Stadium that was canceled due to heavy rain. “I know they’re looking hard to find a day,” Harbaugh said. “As far as players and coaches, we’re great. We like being over there. Hey, send us down. We’ll go do it. It’s just right now, I don’t know if we can find a day or not. If we can, we’ll load the buses up and head down.” … Terrell Suggs said Friday was the first time he’d ever been caught stealing Steve Bisciotti’s golf cart on the way out to the practice field, a regular prank pulled by the 16th-year outside linebacker. Upon realizing the owner was sitting nearby as he drove his way onto the practice field, Suggs made a quick U-turn and gave Bisciotti a ride. “I turned just like a kid with hands stuck in the cookie jar.” … Defensive end Bronson Kaufusi has received some reps at the rush outside linebacker position early in camp. The 2016 third-round pick from Brigham Young has played little in his first two NFL seasons and is on the roster bubble this summer.
