Ravens insist Kaepernick is an option
Bruce Smith is giving Garrett tips
The Baltimore Ravens are disputing an ESPN report that owner Steve Bisciotti is resisting signing free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick despite a preference from general manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh to do so.
“We are going through a process, and we have not made a decision,” Newsome said Wednesday afternoon in a statement. “Steve Bisciotti has not told us we cannot sign Colin Kaepernick, nor has he blocked the move. Whoever is making those claims is wrong.”
The report, which surfaced during Wednesday morning’s practice, cited sources who said that Newsome and Harbaugh support adding Kaepernick to the roster. That same report said they have “met resistance” from Bisciotti, who said on Sunday during a fan forum with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that the club was “keeping our door open.”
After practice, Harbaugh said he had no new information on the Kaepernick front.
“I do not have an update on Colin Kaepernick or our quarterback situation,” he said. “I’ll frame that this way: there are other positions we’re looking at and I don’t have any updates on those either. I think they’re all in the same category.”
The topic of Kaepernick came up on the first day of training camp because QB Joe Flacco, the team’s starter for the past nine seasons, arrived with a bad back. Flacco still hasn’t taken a snap, though he insists he’s on the mend. Backup Ryan Mallett, meanwhile, has struggled during drills.
Myles Garrett is getting Hall of Fame help.
On the same day he took snaps with Cleveland’s starting defense, Garrett got a visit at training camp from Bruce Smith, the NFL’s career sacks leader who believes the No. 1 overall pick could be destined for greatness.
“A very intelligent young man, so it’s not going to take him long to figure this game out,” Smith said. “Obviously, there’s always a learning curve, but he can be an impact player in his first year.”
The Browns are counting on Garrett, 21, making an impact for the next decade, and he already made quite a first impression with his ability and attitude. Since camp opened, Garrett has voluntarily stayed after practice to run sprints.
Miami running back Jay Ajayi is in the NFL concussion protocol due to a hit he sustained in Monday’s practice, most likely from safety T.J. McDonald during a two-minute drill. When Ajayi will return to practice is uncertain and will be determined by team trainers, not coaches or Ajayi.
“Especially with the concussions, they go through the protocol,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said Wednesday, “and whatever the timetable is, it is what it is.”
Sterling Shepard, New York’s second-leading receiver last season, rolled his left ankle running a short route in Wednesday’s training camp practice. After the workout, coach Ben McAdoo said the injury appeared to be a sprain.
Los Angeles rookie offensive lineman Forrest Lamp, a second-round draft choice, tore a ligament in his right knee Wednesday during the fourth practice of training camp. He is out indefinitely.