RGIII understands Luck’s decision
Ravens backup QB reflects after the Colts star retires
Robert Griffin III had just finished watching a movie with his wife Saturday night when he saw the “shocking” news, splashed over TV and social media and the internet: Andrew Luck had decided to retire.
Their careers have been linked inextricably since high school, when they were both star quarterbacks in Texas. After graduating in 2008, they were reunited at the 2011 Heisman Trophy presentation, where Griffin claimed college football’s highest honor after a sensational season at Baylor. Also there in New York was Luck, a finalist whom Griffin had almost joined at Stanford.
The next year, they were the top two picks in the NFL draft: The Indianapolis Colts took Luck No. 1 overall, while the Washington Redskins selected Griffin. That season, Griffin beat out Luck for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. “I’ve always been competing against Andrew silently,” Griffin said Sunday.
Injuries derailed Griffin’s NFL ascent, and he sat out the 2017 season before signing with the Ravens last year. Even though he’s now entering his second season in Baltimore, his career back on track as Lamar Jackson’s backup, the experience gave Griffin another window into Luck’s own misery.
“I can’t say I was to the point where I was making the decision to retire [in 2017], but I was at that point,” Griffin said. “You’re tired of being injured, tired of being hurt and tired of having to go through that process that I think he called it ‘pain, injury, rehab,’ and just repeating that process over and over and over. I can completely understand where he’s coming from.”
Injury updates
Five Ravens returned to practice Sunday morning, bolstering depth at key positions ahead of Thursday’s preseason finale against the Washington Redskins.
Jermaine Eluemunor, a potential starter at left guard, and Greg Senat, a second-year tackle, worked out with the offensive line during the open portion of practice. Eluemunor had missed the past two practices and Thursday’s preseason game against the Eagles after leaving Monday’s joint practice in Philadelphia early, while Senat had been out since Aug. 12.
Cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Maurice Canady and safety Earl Thomas III also were back after missing practice Saturday. Carr and Thomas are unlikely to play Thursday, primarily a showcase for on-thebubble players.
The Ravens were missing offensive lineman Randin Crecelius; wide receiver Marquise Brown; defensive tackle Gerald Willis; linebackers Jaylon Ferguson and Tim Williams; and cornerbacks Jimmy Smith, Tavon Young and Iman Marshall. About a half-hour after practice started, Ferguson began working out with an athletic trainer on adjacent field.
Sunday’s practice was the first Williams has missed since training camp opened in late July. Brown, meanwhile, played in Thursday’s game but missed Tuesday’s practice.
Kicker signed
The team signed free-agent kicker Elliott Fry, who was practicing with the team Sunday.
The Chicago Bears released Fry after two preseason games. The South Carolina product and ex-Alliance of American Football kicker went 1-for-2 on field-goal attempts, hitting a 43-yarder and missing from 47 yards.