Baltimore Ravens: Upcoming Practices Important Before First Preseason Game
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman (18) needs to practice both Monday and Tuesday to increase his likelihood to play against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, August 13. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens had their second day off Sunday. The break came at a nearly perfect time as injuries are beginning to mount.
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As we wrote about earlier, defensive end Brent Urban is expected to have surgery on a torn biceps—the same injury safety Matt Elam suffered. The surgery would sideline him about 12-14 weeks with the possibility of missing the entire season.
Guards John Urschel and Robert Myers both sustained concussions Thursday and were not practicing. Rookie tight end Maxx Williams sat out another practice after having his eye poked.
The news is with rookie receiver Breshad Perriman who still has not returned to practice. The team only has two practices remaining before their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, August 13.
The last two practices before the Ravens’ first preseason game are important for the players who have missed extended amounts of time.
Head coach John Harbaugh still believes the rookie could play in the game, but ideally, he would have to practice on Monday and Tuesday. The team has a walkthrough on Wednesday.
Depending on how much practice time he receives, his snaps could be limited if he does play in the preseason game. This game will probably be played mostly by the second-string offense and defense, though he would probably be given time with both offenses.
If he cannot play, the other receivers are going to have a lot more time on the field. Marlon Brown has recovered from his back injury, but now he is dealing with a hamstring injury. With Steve Smith Sr. a locked-in starter, the younger receivers are going to receive the majority of the playing time whether they are playing with the first-team offense or second team.
Perriman’s chances to play in the Ravens’ first preseason game is dependent on if he can practice Monday and Tuesday.
The defense has bigger problems with the loss of Elam and now Urban. The depth problem that hurt the unit last season is going to have to be watched carefully throughout the remaining of training camp.
A few of the younger players a part of the secondary are still struggling with injuries. The rookie cornerback Tray Walker (hamstring) missed another practice, though third-year cornerback Chris Greenwood came off the not-practicing list Saturday after missing multiple practices. Safety Kendrick Lewis was hit accidently during Saturday’s practice, but no injury was reported after he left practice afterwards.
The defense has shown on multiple occasions how dangerous it can be with full pads on, so the lead up to the first preseason game is important. Unlike the offense, I see the defense proving themselves more thoroughly in the games rather than in practice.
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The biggest test during the real-time game is staying healthy. Full pads during practice are going to be completely different from the game against non-teammates. The hits are going to be harder, because the players on the other side are playing for positions on their own team.
Most importantly, the game gives the defensive rookies a taste of real game action that will help them play better defense. They may be able to tackle during practice, but if they can’t do it during a real game, they aren’t going to last very long with the team.
The practices on Monday and Tuesday are going to play a big role in determining which players, who have missed time, are going to play and for how long.