Quarterback Lamar Jackson, tight finish Mark Andrews, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, security Marcus Williams and outdoors linebacker Justin Houston are among the many Ravens starters who won’t play within the staff’s preseason opener Thursday evening in opposition to the Tennessee Titans.
Coach John Harbaugh mentioned he was not able to announce his plans for subsequent preseason video games however made it clear he can be guarding the well being of his front-line gamers after the staff was devastated by a spate of preseason accidents in 2021.
In a scary second at Saturday’s apply, Andrews appeared to get his cleat caught within the turf, resulting in a clumsy fall. He was unhurt however didn’t take the sector for an additional play the remainder of the afternoon.
“I had seen enough,” Harbaugh mentioned. “He was like, ‘I was practicing my slide.’ And I said, ‘It wasn’t one of your better ones.’ But he’s had so many reps this week; he’s had plenty of reps, so that was really my call.”
Harbaugh mentioned he typically needs to be the voice of cause with key gamers equivalent to Andrews and Humphrey (out for a veteran relaxation day Saturday) who need to compete nonstop all through coaching camp.
“Which we appreciate, but it’s my responsibility to make sure they don’t do too much,” Harbaugh mentioned.
Meanwhile, large receiver Devin Duvernay returned to apply after lacking 5 days with a thigh bruise. Outside linebacker Steven Means left apply with an unspecified damage, additional straining the depth able group that had already misplaced Vince Biegel to a torn Achilles tendon.
TE Nick Boyle embraces gradual construct
Tight finish Nick Boyle additionally didn’t apply Saturday however that was by design because the veteran continues to construct his approach again from a knee damage that ended his 2020 season and stored him out most of final 12 months.
Boyle has alternated practising and taking the time off by the primary week and a half of coaching camp and can quickly escalate to taking part in two of each three practices.
“We had a rotation. [Head trainer] Adrian Dixon put it together,” Harbaugh mentioned. “It’s kind of just a building process, and he’s done well with it.”
Boyle mentioned he’s glad together with his bodily situation however desirous to play in preseason video games so he can sharpen his soccer expertise. When he first donned pads in apply, for instance, he was annoyed that he couldn’t maintain blocks as he would have in 2018 or 2019, when he was considered maybe the most effective blocking tight finish in soccer.
“I think I’ve got to get better just getting back to football stuff again,” he mentioned. “I need to play in the preseason games. I wouldn’t want to not play in those. I think those are kind of like reps you can’t get on the practice field.”
He praised Dixon’s slow-build method to getting ready him for the season. The former Titans director of bodily remedy and sports activities rehabilitation was named the Ravens’ new head athletic coach in February.
“I think it’s really great plan, to be honest,” Boyle mentioned. “They’ve thought about it, the trainers and the staff. Prior to coming in for training camp, they had this all laid out. I just think it’s a smart way to go about it, with ramping it up, getting back to actual football stuff while feeling good.”
Boyle has acknowledged the psychological toll he felt when his knee didn’t come round as rapidly as he hoped final season. Though he performed in 5 video games, he didn’t start to regain his confidence till the offseason, when he chiseled his physique throughout exercises in Arizona.
“Now, for me, it’s about transitioning as my knee feels better,” he mentioned. “Let’s get this football stuff back down. Let me get my technique down. … I know that will come with time.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com