Andrews reports no ‘negative consequences’
On Thursday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said there was “really nothing I can say” about the health and availability of players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. If a medical issue existed, he said, he couldn’t coach them until they were cleared.
But with tight end Mark Andrews testing positive for the coronavirus over the weekend, one of the last players affected by the Ravens’ widespread outbreak, there were questions not just about when he might return but whether his health might be compromised. Andrews has Type 1 diabetes, a chronic medical condition that can be a risk factor for those who contract COVID-19.
In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Cells need insulin to absorb glucose from the blood, and if the cells do not take in enough glucose, it can build up harmfully in the blood.
Harbaugh said Friday that, when he talked to Andrews a few days earlier, he hadn’t been told there were any issues. He said he was scheduled to follow up with him soon.
“I have not heard of any negative consequences of the diabetes with Mark up until this point, so that’s a positive,” Harbaugh said.
Under the NFL’s coronavirus protocols, Andrews is unlikely to be available for the Ravens’ game Tuesday against the Dallas Cowboys. Players who test positive for COVID-19 must self-quarantine for10 days while continuing to be tested.
Harbaugh also said Friday that running backs coach Matt Weiss and offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris were “doing well” in their recovery from illnesses that sidelined them Wednesday. Harbaugh said it was unclear whether they’d be back for Tuesday’s game.
Griffin to IR
The Ravens placed quarterback Robert Griffin III on injured reserve Friday, sidelining the 30-year-old for at least the
next three weeks.
Griffin injured his hamstring in the second quarter of Wednesday’s 19-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He stayed in the game until thirdstringer Trace McSorley relieved him late in the fourth quarter.
Harbaugh on Thursday did not disclose the severity of Griffin’s injury, or any others suffered against Pittsburgh, but said the team avoided any severe injuries.
“On the injury front, there’s nothing really to announce. There’s no major, season-ending injuries,” Harbaugh said.
The Ravens are left with just one quarterback on the 53-man roster, McSorley. Starter Lamar Jackson remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list and could return to practice ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Harbaugh said any player’s return to practice from the reserve/COVID-19 list would be “medical decisions, in the end, not coaching decisions. … So when the doctors clear them to practice, that’s when we’ll have them.”
If Jackson cannot return for the Cow
boys game, McSorley would likely make his first career start, with Tyler Huntley, an undrafted rookie on the practice squad, serving as the backup.
Four return
Running back J.K. Dobbins, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and centers Patrick Mekari and Matt Skura were all activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Dobbins, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 22, finished his 10-day self-quarantine on Tuesday and was eligible to play Wednesday. So was fellow back Mark Ingram II, who tested positive the same day but has yet to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Harbaugh said the decision to keep both players sidelined against the Steelers was a “medical decision.”
All four players activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list are eligible to play Tuesday against the Cowboys. Thirteen Ravens remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Injury report
Ravens starting defensive tackle Brandon Williams returned to practice Friday for the first time since injuring his ankle nearly three weeks ago.
Williams was activated off the reserve/ COVID-19 list before Wednesday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he hadn’t practiced since going down early in a Week10 loss to the New England Patriots.
Without Williams and defensive end Calais Campbell, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week while recovering from a calf injury, the Ravens’ run defense has struggled at times. Against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the unit bounced back, holding Steelers running backs Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland (Maryland) to 69 yards on 19 carries.
Even with cornerback Anthony Averett activated from injured reserve, the Ravens’ defensive backfield is banged up entering Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Cornerbacks Jimmy Smith (groin), who left Wednesday’s game early, and Tramon Williams (thigh) did not practice, while Davontae Harris (thigh) was limited. Safety Chuck Clark (knee), who has played every defensive snap for the Ravens this season, missed practice, too.
Also absent on defense were outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson (illness) and defensive tackle Broderick Washington (concussion).
Extra point
■ Averett (shoulder) and WR Chris Moore (thigh) were designated to return from injured reserve. The Ravens will have 21 days to decide whether to activate each to the 53-man roster or send them back to IR.
■ TE Luke Willson was signed to the active roster. Signed to the practice squad on Nov. 17, Willson appeared in the team’s last two games.
■ TE Sean Culkin was placed on the practice squad injured reserve list. The following players were signed to the practice squad: RB Tommy Bohanon, OG Park Ehinger and DT Braxton Hoyett.