Taking on some more importance
COVID-19 concerns giving emphasis to practice squad
Even if the Ravens don’t keep an undrafted rookie on their season-opening roster Saturday for the 17th straight year, a few will land on their expanded 16-man practice squad this weekend.
With the coronavirus pandemic expected to test teams’ depth this fall, coach John Harbaugh equated being on the practice squad to making the 53-man roster.
“This year, I think something to really bear in mind is that practice squad is probably just going to be as important or more important than ever,” he said in a videoconference call Wednesday.
“I think most teams are going to really want to hold on to their guys for their practice squad because they know the system. They’re kind of schooled up now on the offense and defense, and you have to assume there’s a possibility those guys will have to be playing any given week.”
Four practice squad players can be protected starting Tuesday afternoon during the regular season, meaning the Ravens and other teams can keep up to 57 players each week rather than 53. With the lengthy COVID-19 testing process required for free agents, teams will likely look to promote from within to fill roster holes.
Phillips, Skura impress
In his first preseason as an interior lineman, third-round draft pick Tyre Phillips has impressed. The former Mississippi State left tackle is battling free-agent signee D.J. Fluker for the Ravens’ starting right guard spot.
“He’s done a good job,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a good football player — I think that’s the main thing. We saw the ability to play guard or tackle. I think he can play on the right side or the left side.
“He’s just really kind of a versatile type of player. He’s a good athlete. He bends well [and is] smart, very smart.
“He comes from a great family [and has] got a really good demeanor about him. He doesn’t get down on himself at all. He really just pushes through it and learns from his mistakes, so all those things probably contribute. I think we have a versatile offensive line too.”
Harbaugh also said center Matt Skura had no “hiccups” or “issues” with his extensive action in Saturday’s scrimmage at M&T Bank Stadium but declined to speculate on whether he’d be ready for Week 1. Skura suffered a season-ending knee injury in November and has steadily increased his workload in training camp.
“We have more practices, so we’ll keep looking at that,” Harbaugh said. “He did well. … We’re just going to keep pushing forward with some more challenging things each day and we’ll know by next week where he’s at.
“Really, Matt’ll know where he’s at, as much as anything. He’s the guy who’s in that body.”
Harbaugh said the Ravens have a sense for who will start along the offensive line in Week1against the Cleveland Browns, “but I wouldn’t say we’re 100% there yet.”
Jackson recovered
Less than two weeks from the Ravens’ season opener, quarterback Lamar Jackson says he’s back to full strength.
In an interview published Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, the NFL’s reigning MVP was asked about his groin injury, which had kept him out of two training camp practices last month.
“It’s 100%,” he said. “It’s 100 now.” Jackson moved without any difficulties in the Ravens’ scrimmage Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium, the closest thing the team will have to a game before its Week 1 matchup with the Browns on Sept. 13. While Jackson struggled with his accuracy in the first half, he showed his trademark burst and acceleration when escaping the pocket.
Brotherly plea
Harbaugh knows he’ll have a season this year. He wants one for his brother too.
Near the end of his videoconference call Wednesday, Harbaugh said he wanted to “throw a little controversy out there.”
“This is my position,” he said. “I say: Free the Big Ten. Let’s go. Let’s get Michigan and Ohio State and all those great teams playing some football out there.”
Harbaugh’s younger brother, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Big Ten’s decision to postpone the 2020 season indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns.
“We respect the challenge that the virus has presented, however we will not cower from it,” Jim Harbaugh said last month.
“Stay Positive! Test Negative! Play Football!” he tweeted Monday.
Big Ten officials are reportedly working on multiple plans for staging a season, including one that would have the league kicking off during Thanksgiving weekend.