The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kaepernick could join Ravens
Help needed at QB with Flacco likely out at least a week.
An injury to quarterback Joe Flacco might open the door for Colin Kaepernick to join the Baltimore Ravens.
Flacco missed the first full practice of training camp Thursday because of a back injury and is expected to be out for at least a week. Coach John Harbaugh said the team likely needs to bring in another quarterback and is considering Kaepernick, who opted out of his contract with San Francisco.
Kaepernick drew significant attention for not standing for the traditional playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” before games. However, Harbaugh called Kaepernick a “great guy” and views him as a viable option.
“He and I have been talking throughout the summer a number of times.” Harbaugh said about Kaepernick. “We’ll just see what happens with that. It will all be speculation right now. He’s a really good football player. As I’ve said at the owners’ meetings, I do believe he’ll be playing in the National Football League this year.”
There is some familiarity because Kaepernick played for Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, with the 49ers. He led them to the 2013 Super Bowl, where they lost to the Ravens.
Kaepernick played in 12 games, including 11 starts, for San Francisco last season, throwing for 2,241 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
The only other quarterbacks currently in Ravens camp are Ryan Mallett and Dustin Vaughan, a second-year player from of Division II West Texas A&M.
Flacco threw for a franchise-record 4,317 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2016, one year removed from season-ending knee surgery. Harbaugh said doctors assured him Flacco’s latest injury is not long-term.
“Everything looks fine for Joe,” Harbaugh said. “We’re taking precautions. I think for Joe, a week of rest here is not going to hurt our offense. It might help our offense in terms of developing some guys.”
■ Baltimore offensive lineman John Urschel retired from the NFL after three seasons. The fifth-round pick from Penn State in 2014 has been pursuing his doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the offseason and is examining interests outside of football.
Steelers: Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva agreed to a four-year contract that will keep the former Army Ranger protecting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Titans: Linebacker Erik Walden agreed to a deal the day before Tennessee reports for camp, his agent said, but details were not available.
Broncos: Running back Devontae Booker, who was pushing C.J. Anderson for a starting job, will have wrist surgery today and is expected to miss six weeks.
Packers: Rookie linebacker Vince Biegel will start camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list as he recovers from foot surgery.
Bengals: Cornerback Adam Jones accepted his one-game suspension for a misdemeanor conviction stemming from a hotel scuffle and said in an emotional thanks to the team, “I take all accountability for what I did and my actions and my words.”
49ers: Linebacker Reuben Foster was cleared to go after rehabilitating his injured right shoulder, but the status of San Francisco’s other first-round pick was still in doubt as defensive end Solomon Thomas remained unsigned.
Panthers: The team has talked about limiting Cam Newton’s carries to prevent wear and tear, at which the quarterback responded, “That’s my edge. Are you really going to expect a lion not to roar?”
Redskins: Coach Jay Gruden said he didn’t believe Jordan Reed’s toe injury is serious and expects the tight end to be back next week.