LT Stanley misses practice
Absence stems from hip injury; star uncertain for Sunday
Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley missed practice Wednesday with a hip injury, throwing his availability for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans into doubt.
Coach John Harbaugh said Monday he’d expected Stanley, who left Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter after a seemingly minor ankle injury, to return for the team’s first practice this week. D.J. Fluker, who spent most of training camp at guard, struggled as the All-Pro’s replacement.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith (back), defensive end Calais Campbell (noninjury related), defensive lineman Justin Madubuike (knee) and wide receiver Chris Moore (finger) also were absent.
Running back Justice Hill returned to practice after being sidelined by a thigh injury and was limited.
The Texans had full participation at practice Wednesday. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks (quadriceps,) right tackle Tytus Howard (ankle), running back Duke Johnson (ankle) and defensive end J.J. Watt (hip) were limited.
Preseason’s purpose
The Ravens didn’t look like they needed a preseason schedule Sunday. And around the NFL, the quality of play in some respects was up.
But the elimination of this summer’s preseason slate amid the coronavirus pandemic was perhaps a contributing factor to one minor story line from Sunday’s blowout win. Quarterback Lamar Jackson remained in the game for much of the fourth quarter, even with the Ravens leading 38-6.
Jackson defended Harbaugh’s decision not to pull him, pointing to the team’s lack of preseason action. “That was my first time getting tackled since January, so I felt we needed that,” he said Wednesday. “Coach knows what he’s doing.”
Outside linebacker Matthew Judon said he hopes preseason games remain on the NFL’s schedule.
“We have some guys in this locker room that didn’t get to show to the world what they can do” Judon said when in training camp. “And now, unfortunately, they don’t get to suit up on Sundays. So I’m a fan for at least two preseason games, one home, one away. … Me being a fifth-round draft pick and having those preseason games, I definitely would’ve regretted it if I didn’t have those games.”
Jackson honored for Week1 performance
Jackson has picked up where he left off last year.
The Ravens quarterback and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player was named the Week 1 AFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, his sixth such honor since the 2019 season and more than the combined total for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Houston
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry in that span.
With his five AFC Offensive Player of the Week accolades last year, Jackson tied New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (2007) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (2015) for the most in a single season.
In a season-opening win Sunday over the Cleveland Browns, Jackson went 20-for-25 for 285 passing yards and three touchdowns, good for a 152.1 quarterback rating. He also led the team with 45 rushing yards. The Ravens will face Watson and the Texans in Week 2.
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward earned defensive honors in the conference, while Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carson was honored on special teams.
Extra points
■ Nowin this third season, Jackson said the game has slowed “a lot” for him. He credited film study and practicing against the Ravens defense. “They’re doing all the exotic things they do, different blitzes and stuff like that. [That] has helped me out a lot,” Jackson said. “I always tell those guys I need stuff like that during practice and camp. When I go against other opponents, it’ll be a lot easier for me on the field.”
■ With rookie inside linebacker Kristian Welch on the injured list, the Ravens added free-agent tight end Xavier Grimble to their practice squad. Grimble appeared in 47 games over the past four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including three (one start) last year.