Yanda expected to return Monday
Ravens offensive lineman dealing with foot injury
Ravens starting guard Marshal Yanda has missed two days of practice with a foot injury, but coach John Harbaugh said Saturday that it’s minor. He expects Yanda back Monday, after Sunday’s day off.
Yanda wanted to return for the Ravens’ training camp practice Saturday, but Harbaugh decided he should take the extra rest while he can.
In a similar vein, Harbaugh gave veteran safety Earl Thomas and running back Mark Ingram the day off Saturday. Defensive back/linebacker Anthony Levine Sr. also did not practice.
In total, six players were absent from practice. The other two were offensive linemen Alex Lewis (shoulder) and Randin Crecelius.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III, who fractured his hand at practice July 27, threw the ball around a little Saturday, but Harbaugh said his thumb is protected. While he hasn’t been cleared to participate in team drills yet, Griffin typically stands off to the side and goes through all the team’s quarterback drills as if he were passing.
Pleased with passing game
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is heading into his day off with another set of highlight plays and yet more praise from his coaches.
In an afternoon practice that highlighted his growth at training camp, Jackson showed off the uncommon athleticism that has raised hopes for a “revolutionary” offense in Baltimore. And one completion Saturday that was far from his longest was maybe his most impressive.
Jackson sometimes changes his arm slot on passes, typically for shorter throws or when he’s on the run. On one play in 11-on-11 action, Jackson was hurried somewhat as he scanned the field from the pocket. As Miles Boykin, guarded by cornerback Marlon Humphrey, pivoted toward Jackson on a comeback route, Jackson saw the rookie wide receiver flash open near the first-down marker.
Rather than make an overhead throw to Boykin and give Humphrey a better angle on the ball, Jackson, already leaning to his right, delivered a Patrick Mahomes-esque sidearm strike. The pass arrived just in time, and the crowd tittered in excitement. (An ill-advised sidearm throw on the next play fell incomplete.)
Later, Jackson rolled out to his right after feeling pressure from Tavon Young on a cornerback blitz and lofted a back-foot throw to tight end Mark Andrews. Andrews, streaking diagonally to the end zone, made a full-extension catch for a touchdown. A Jackson-toAndrews catch-and-run near the end of the practice might have gone the distance in a “live” setting as well.
Ravens show support for the military
Saturday was Military Appreciation Day for the Ravens. After practice, military members and their families stood behind rope partitions lining the outskirts of the field while Harbaugh, cornerback Brandon Carr and kicker Justin Tucker gave speeches of appreciation.
After Tucker finished, Harbaugh told Ravens employees to “Drop the ropes!”
As the ropes fell to the ground, kids and parents streamed onto the field toward the players to take pictures and collect autographs.
Harbaugh, who spent over a half-hour with the families, said he thinks it’s important to honor not just the military members but their families as well.
“There’s no better group to be with than military families,” Harbaugh said. “It means so much to us, and it’s an honor to have them out there.”
Monday’s joint practice brings fresh faces
Inside linebacker Kenny Young is tired of hitting the same people over and over.
“That gets boring fast,” Young said. At Monday’s practice, Young will have new players to tackle, with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Owings Mills for two joint practices before both teams’ first preseason game Thursday.
Young will be reunited with his college teammate, linebacker Myles Jack, whose play helped inspire Young to go to UCLA. Young will also get to play against a former high school opponent, running back Leonard Fournette.