QB rotation for Thursday game is set but secret
Harbaugh mum on report of interest in CB Breeland
Coach John Harbaugh said after Friday’s practice that he knows which quarterbacks will play in the Ravens preseason opener against the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night. But he declined to share the details.
“We have that set,” he said. “I never really talk about that. We just go do it. But we have the quarterback rotation set, and then we’ll organize the rest of it in the next day or two. They’ll be some guys who won’t play in that game, probably you might guess the guys who haven’t practiced as much that first week.”
Three players who likely will sit out that game are rookie tight end Mark Andrews (muscle tissue), rookie offensive tackle Greg Senat (unspecified) and cornerback Bennett Jackson (undisclosed) — all of whom did not practice Friday for at least the fourth consecutive time.
The outlook for running back Kenneth Dixon and left guard Alex Lewis is cloudier. Dixon missed his second straight practice because of a hamstring ailment, while Lewis did not take part in Friday’s session because of what is believed to be related to the left ankle injury he suffered Monday.
Rookie tight end Hayden Hurst, outside linebacker Tyus Bowser and guard Randin Crecelius left practice for unspecified reasons. But defensive tackle Brandon Williams returned Friday after sitting out Thursday’s session for undisclosed reasons.
The team will have three more practices before the preseason game against the Bears, and Harbaugh sounded as if he wished he had more time.
“We need all the practice we can get,” he said. “We’re not preparing for this game. We’re just preparing to be the best team we can get. Every practice day we get is valuable. It’s a camp game — it’s not [a] regular-season game. It’s a camp game. It’s like a practice. So we’ll go out and play it, and we’ll learn and get better from it.” Another cornerback? Harbaugh was not willing to discuss an ESPN report that suggested that the Ravens are “getting more aggressive” in a possible pursuit of free- agent cornerback Bashaud Breeland. Tavon Young catches a pass Friday. He’s part of a deep group of cornerbacks that the Ravens might be looking to supplement with free agent Bashaud Breeland.
“I have no idea,” he said. “Not really thinking about it right now. I like our guys, and we’re coaching our guys.”
The former Washington Redskins defensive back had agreed in March to join the Carolina Panthers but failed his physical, which voided a three-year, $24 million contract with $11 million guaranteed. Breeland has visited the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts and was reportedly in Cleveland to meet with the Browns on Friday.
But with Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr, Marlon Humphrey, Tavon Young, Maurice Canady, Anthony Levine Sr., Stanley Jean-Baptiste and fourth-round draft pick Anthony Averett in the fold, the Ravens would appear to have a logjam at cornerback. White’s versatility: Tim White’s quest to develop into a dual threat for the Ravens is beginning to come to fruition.
The second-year pro is among the next trio of wide receivers behind the starting threesome of Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead IV. And on Thursday, he topped the team’s depth chart as the primary kick and punt returner. For the 24-year-old White, who joined the Ravens as an undrafted rookie last year, the chance to contribute on both offense and special teams is one he does not take lightly.
“You want to come out here and show that you can be consistent,” he said Friday. “You want to show that you can consistently show up on the big stage and make big plays.” Edwards’ gain: With Dixon absent after leaving Thursday’s practice early, rookie Gus Edwards was the first running back off the sideline behind Alex Collins and Buck Allen. Mark Thompson and De’Lance Turner, two other undrafted rookies, also took some repetitions, but Edwards appeared to be the most immediate beneficiary of Dixon’s absence.
“We kind of mix it in there, but I’m just here trying to control what I can control,” Edwards said. “I’ll let them make the decision over that.”
Asked about Dixon, Harbaugh replied: “Just the only thing I’d say about the injury thing is we don’t have anything serious. We have training camp stuff that we rest guys from, but nothing serious.” Extra points: Right guard Marshal Yanda (shoulder), wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo (upper leg muscle), linebacker Bam Bradley (ACL) and cornerback Jaylen Hill (right ACL, MCL) remain on the physically unable to perform list. … Cornerback Jimmy Smith’s son James attended practice and was picked up by Harbaugh, who swung the 4-year-old in a Superman pose several times in the middle of a practice field. “He’s just the right size for me,” Harbaugh said. “I can really get him up in the air high. He has no fear.” Informed that the 6-foot-1, 336-pound Williams had tossed Smith’s son higher in the air, Harbaugh retorted, “I just thank God I didn’t have Brandon Williams as a kid to throw up in the air.”