Siragusa pragmatic about recovery
Offensive lineman says knee injury ‘helped me mature’; Rookies ready for preseason
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Nico Siragusa’s traumatic knee injury that sidelined him for his entire rookie season. Athletes would rather avoid the types of major ailments that can threaten careers, but the Ravens offensive lineman is plainspoken about that disappointment.
“It is what it is,” he said recently. “It happened. I’m over it. I don’t look back on it. It helped me mature. I’m just looking forward to having a healthy year and seeing what happens.”
A year ago, Siragusa’s hopes of making an impact in his first year in the NFL after being selected in the fourth round of the draft were dashed when he tore all three major ligaments in his left knee during practice. The rehabilitation process kept him off his feet until the team’s minicamp in June.
“It was tough at first, but I’ve been around a lot of good people, and they helped me to stay in the right state of mind,” he said. “It’s not easy. I’ve seen a lot of people get hurt and come back. So it was going to be a grind, and I knew there were going to be ups and downs and setbacks. I just stuck with it and came out healthy.”
The 6-foot-4, 330-pound lineman wears braces on both knees as a precautionary measure, but said he has no reservations about his left knee. He said he is moving much better than he did during minicamp.
“I’m still coming back,” he said. “It’s my [10th] practice, a full-go from the injury. So I’m still coming back and easing into it and getting all the feel back. It’s a feel game when you’re playing on the O-line and what it’s like to do an outside zone block, what it’s like to do a down block, pass blocking, counter. It’s just getting the feel back, but I feel like I’m doing all right. I’ve just got to get better every day.”
Offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris likes what he has seen from Siragusa, who is listed as Alex Lewis’ primary backup at left guard and is also taking repetitions at center.
“For having a limited offseason program, I think he’s doing a very nice job,” D’Alessandris said. “He’s playing two positions, and his growth is continued growth. So each day he’s growing and developing, and that’s where we are at this stage.” Rookies eager to perform: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio — the site of Thursday’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears — is an unfamiliar venue for the Ravens’ rookie class. Except for defensive tackle Zach Sieler. “That was actually a field where we played in college,” Sieler said, referring to the two times his Ferris State football team played against Walsh University at what was formerly called Fawcett Stadium in 2013 and 2014. “We played a team there my first two years at Ferris. So it’s kind of cool to go there now. It’s kind of funny how that has turned around.”
Even though it is a preseason game, it will mark the first NFL game for all of the rookies, some of whom are still getting adjusted to the speed of the game. But any nerves pale in comparison with the slowly building excitement.
“What I’m anticipating is fast, just running around and plays being made,” said wide receiver Jaleel Scott, the organization’s last of three fourth-round choices in April’s NFL draft. “It’s a dream come true. So I’m just looking to make a couple plays for my team.”
Coach John Harbaugh will not reveal how long he plans to keep the starters and veterans in the game or if some of them will not play at all. But the rookies figure to play meaningful minutes under the watchful eyes of the coaches, and Harbaugh wants them to avoid getting bogged down with distractions and details.
“It’s football,” he said after Tuesday morning’s practice. “They’re excited to go play, but just remember that it’s a football game. Keep it simple. Pay attention to what’s important. Knowing your assignment and playing hard and if you’re on defense, run to the football. If you’re on offense, make the catch. Keep it simple and play football.” Extra points: Strong safety Tony Jefferson and rookie guard Randin Crecelius returned Tuesday after sitting out the past two practices, but Jefferson participated lightly before walking back inside the locker room after positional drills. Rookie tight end Mark Andrews (muscle tissue), outside linebacker Tyus Bowser (undisclosed), running back Kenneth Dixon (hamstring), safety Kai Nacua (undisclosed) and rookie offensive tackle Greg Senat (undisclosed) were absent. Right guard Marshal Yanda (shoulder), wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo (upper leg muscle), linebacker Bam Bradley (ACL) and cornerback Jaylen Hill (right ACL, MCL) are still on the physicallyunable-to-perform list. … Harbaugh said he did not anticipate that Hall of Fame inductee Ray Lewis would be available to address the team before Thursday’s game. “But I still have my fingers crossed that maybe our paths will cross, and we’ll get him to say a few words,” Harbaugh said. “He’s not usually shy about saying a word or two. So we might be able to get that done still.”