The Ravens returned to the practice field Monday for a quieter training camp session. Holding their first without fans in attendance created a more intimate atmosphere for players and coaches to get work done with next week’s roster cutdown day looming.
Coach John Harbaugh revealed that outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, who suffered a dislocated elbow during Saturday’s preseason game against the Cowboys, sustained ligament damage that’ll force him to undergo surgery and miss the start of the season.
Isaac’s injury opens the door for David Ojabo to solidify his spot on the depth chart behind Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson and rookie Mike Green.
Harbaugh also confirmed rookie offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. will not be healthy for the start of the season. Jones Jr. (shoulder), a third-round draft pick out of LSU, is expected to remain on the non-football-injury/illness list and miss Baltimore’s first four regular season games against Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City.
“I would say the doctor, the surgeon, the best I can tell you is…he wants to be sure that [Jones’ shoulder] is fully right,” Harbaugh said. “And that’s the way it should be. We respect that. So it’s going to take a little longer…we won’t be counting on him early on in the season.”
Running back Keaton Mitchell and safety Kyle Hamilton both participated in the early periods of practice before both players separated from the team and worked out individually. Mitchell, who recorded 68 rushing yards across nine carries in the preseason opener against Indianapolis, did not practice last week leading up to the Cowboys game.
On Monday, Mitchell specifically worked on his cutting and agility, participating in a variety of individual drills before the third-year tailback and Hamilton went indoors.
Joint practice ‘didn’t make sense’
The Ravens were set to have a joint practice with the Commanders this Thursday ahead of Saturday’s preseason finale. Both sides agreed to cancel based on scheduling, with Washington hosting their second preseason game Monday night against Cincinnati.
“It wasn’t going to be the kind of practice possible that we would’ve needed this week for them, they’re on a short week. So we would’ve gone all the way down there and for what it would have had to have been it just didn’t make sense.”
Harbaugh and Commanders coach Dan Quinn were both interested in finding a way to make the practice work, Harbaugh said. Instead, they’ll wait until Saturday to share the field at Northwest Stadium.
Flowers’ speed on display
The highlight of the afternoon came from wideout Zay Flowers, who flashed his speed multiple times and continued to be Lamar Jackson’s go-to target. Flowers hauled in the deepest ball of the session, a 40-yard strike from Jackson on a crossing route where he slipped behind safeties Sanoussi Kane and Malaki Starks. Flowers also made a tough grab in tight coverage, securing a Jackson throw with Kane and Starks draped on him.
Jackson later completed a sidearm throw threaded through traffic to fullback Lucas Scott over the middle, a play that drew expressive reactions from teammates and coaches.
Defense forces multiple takeaways
There has not been a bigger defensive emphasis than Zach Orr preaching the importance of takeaways. They managed a pair during Monday’s practice.
In 11-on-11 drills at full speed, quarterback Cooper Rush slung the ball to Malik Cunningham, who cut back toward the ball about 15 yards upfield outside the right hashmark. Beau Brade, a second-year safety out of Maryland and a River Hill graduate, gained inside leverage and jumped the route, intercepting Rush for his first takeaway of training camp.
Brade hasn’t starred much in training camp until that first pick. He’d been overshadowed by the August darling, undrafted rookie safety Reuben Lowery who is still fighting for a roster spot in the secondary.
“Beau is good enough to make the team,” Harbaugh said Saturday night, “and he’s right there with those decisions we’re going to have to make. But, I think I would be very comfortable with Beau being out there playing football for us, playing special teams and playing defense. He’s only gotten better every single day, but he’s proven himself. He plays good football when he is out there.”
Later, in a 7-on-7 situation, Lamar Jackson found Charlie Kolar running an out route toward the left sideline. Kolar caught the ball but just as he turned upfield, linebacker Trenton Simpson’s fist rattled it loose. Simpson, who figures to be second in command beside Roquan Smith but also hasn’t had a dazzling camp, stole the ball from Kolar and raced upfield for what would have been a forced-fumble-turned-touchdown.
Rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan saw an uptick in snaps with the defense’s top unit as Orr experimented with different pieces. Buchanan and Trenton Simpson appeared to share reps alongside Roquan Smith.
New addition Thomas Graham Jr., wearing No. 34, was spotted with the reserves as the fifth-year defensive back began his acclimation to Orr’s defense.
Harbaugh spent the first few live periods observing practice alongside Orr from the defense’s sideline. Harbaugh later rejoined the offensive coaches, and on two occasions, paused practice to speak with Jackson and the rest of the team’s starters in the offensive huddle.
Coach gets amped
Assistant special teams coach Anthony Levine Sr. brought an edge to begin the day’s drills. He was spotted barking toward a group of wide receivers and defensive backs on how to win at the line of scrimmage with aggressive hands in order to get vertical.
When did Harbaugh decide on Loop?
After Saturday night’s preseason win in Dallas, Harbaugh was asked if by this point he felt comfortable with Tyler Loop being the Ravens kicker heading into this season. The sixth-round rookie had just made 5 of 6 attempts, including a pair from over 50 yards. Harbaugh answered with a resounding yes.
He was asked on Monday when he came to that decision, whether it was before the game or if Loop’s big night helped sway the team’s thinking?
“Pretty much when I stood up there and you [Baltimore Sun Ravens reporter Brian Wacker] were sitting there asking the question, that’s when I decided,” Harbaugh said. “It seemed like the right thing to do. I think it makes sense. He’s earned it. He’s ready. Have tremendous confidence in him.”
Ravens practice playlist
A curation of songs played by the coaching staff during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center:
“at my purest” – Gunna feat. Offset
“Colossal” – Future
“Walk” – Kodak Black
“She Ready” – Key Glock
“Mind Your Manners” – Pearl Jam
“PJ” – Bossman Dlow & Lil Baby
“Livin’ On A Prayer” – Bon Jovi
“Still Trappin’” – Lil Durk & King Von
“BUSSIN” – Moneybagg Yo & Rob49
“Now Who” – YoungBoy Never Broke Again
“sakpase” – Gunna
“That’s the Way (I Like It)” – KC and the Sunshine Band
“Codeine Dreaming” – Kodak Black feat. Lil Wayne
“6th Sense” – Kodak Black
“Hold On Loosely” – 38 Special
“Whatever She Wants” – Bryson Tiller
“Hall of Fame” – Young Dolph
“What The Business Is” – Babyface Ray
“Back In Blood” – Pooh Shiesty feat. Lil Durk
“Shake The Room” – Pop Smoke feat. Quavo
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