Jefferson returns to practice
Safety limited in first workout since injuring ankle last month
Ravens starting safety Tony Jefferson ended a streak of missing seven consecutive practices and participated on a limited basis Thursday afternoon, validating coach John Harbaugh’s assessment Wednesday that Jefferson was “close” to coming back.
“Much better, man,” Jefferson said of his health before the session. “Each and every day, getting better. It’s just a healing process. These injuries take a little while. So it’s all about timing.”
Jefferson has been absent from the Ravens’ past two games since suffering a sprained left ankle in the second quarter of a 34-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 25. Jefferson, who wore a walking boot after the game, said he is eager to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but noted that he has missed a considerable amount of time in practice.
“I personally love practice because for me, practice is harder than the games,” he said. “But if it came down to it, obviously I want to play. When I’m not on the field, I’m in the film room so that I know what’s going on. And I’m in great shape.”
Jefferson, who still ranks second on the defense in tackles (60) and is the only player on the team with at least one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, has been replaced in the starting lineup by Chuck Clark.
Skura still developing: Wednesday’s announcement from Harbaugh that a healthy Joe Flacco would back up rookie Lamar Jackson reverberated throughout the NFL. However, it barely made a ripple with the teammate most responsible for getting the football to either quarterback.
Despite Jackson’s listed height of 6 feet 2 being four inches shorter than Flacco’s, center Matt Skura said he has not had to make any changes in his snaps to Jackson — shotgun or otherwise.
“I think really just getting practice reps have been the biggest thing,” he said. “Just making sure that if we have to take extra snaps before practice or after practice, we’re doing that. Just building that chemistry together is always good. At the same time, you’ve got to do it. You figure out a way to get it done, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
In his first year as the starting center, Skura has graded out to a 59.5 rating by Pro Football Focus, which ranks 22nd among centers in the league. That’s 4.5 points and seven spots higher than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Ryan Jensen, whomSkura replaced in the offseason. Skura has also been flagged only three times, while Jensen has been cited for nine penalties.
“Matt has played really well, and he’s in there battling, first year starting at center, young player,” Harbaugh said. “I think he’s done a good job. He’s mentally smart. He gets us in the right protections, gets us up on the right combination blocks to which [linebacker] we’re going to, and he’s played very well.”
Skura said the improvements has made are encouraging, but acknowledged that he is far from a finished product.
“I think I’m just getting more comfortable and more settled in every single game with every snap I’ve played,” he said. “I’m defi- nitely my own toughest critic, and there are things I see every game that I want to work on and make sure that I’m improving on. I’m just trying to make this offensive line the best it can be.”
Cyrus Jones second in punt returns: Thanks to a 55-yard punt return in Sunday’s 27-24 overtime loss at the Kansas City Chiefs, Cyrus Jones ranks second in the NFL in punt return average at 14.4 yards, trailing only the New York Jets’ Andre Roberts (15.3). Jones seemed pleased when informed of the ranking – with one exception.
“I want to be first,” he said with a grin. “But it’s a testament to how hard we’ve been working on that phase on this team and everybody buying in and everybody blocking the hardest they can block and me just trying to be consistent on every play catching the ball. Then I’m just using my God-given talent to read my blocks and make a play.”
Special teams coordinator/associate head coach Jerry Rosburg attributed Jones’ success this season to a pair of factors.
“It’s Cyrus’ improvement that has been coupled with our improvement as blockers,” he said.
No setback for James Hurst: After sitting out six games because of a disk problem in his back that also impacted his calf, offensive lineman James Hurst returned and started at left guard, not his usual position at right tackle, for Lewis.
Hurst has not been on the team’s injury report this week, and he said he was encouraged that he did not re-aggravate his back.
“It’s definitely very im- portant for the team and for the stretch that we’re currently in,” he said.
Extra points: Harbaugh said he was hoping for a burst of cold weather to greet Tampa Bay for Sunday’s game. “I’m a little disappointed it’s going to be in the mid-to-high 40s,” he said.