Ravens 2024 training camp Day 5 observations: Lamar Jackson’s absence, first day in pads

The Baltimore Ravens enjoyed their first day off on Thursday and coming out of the break put on the pads. For the first time, we saw running back Derrick Henry and the rookies sporting pads in practice.

Attendance/Injury

1. QB Lamar Jackson (illness)
2. RB Keaton Mitchell (PUP)
3. OLB Adisa Isaac (NFI) (Hamstring)
4. OLB Kyle Van Noy (neck)
5. LB Yvandy Rigby (undisclosed)
6. CB T.J. Tampa Jr. (PUP) (sports hernia)
7. CB Christian Matthew

Lamar Jackson’s Absence

On Wednesday, Jackson returned to practice for over an hour, but exited midway through. It was a hot, humid day and battling back from illness likely didn’t mix. Many speculated and hoped he’d be on the field on Friday—given the rest day on Thursday—but he did not run onto the field leading the quarterbacks.

Jackson remains ill; he’s being further evaluated by team doctors.

Though it is concerning Jackson has participated for only an hour in five practices, it’s worth reframing Jackson’s not dealing with an injury. He’s not missing reps with a brand-new offensive coordinator, a new offense or new pass-catchers needing to build chemistry. It’s not ideal he’s missing time but it’s far superior to occur at the beginning of camp than during the season or post-season.

“He’s fighting through an illness, [he’s] working with our doctors, doing all the tests, even more tests to make sure we have everything covered,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “I’m confident that he’ll be back pretty soon. It’s just an unpredictable deal. You guys have been sick before, and sometimes it’s not easy, so that’s what we’re dealing with.”

First Day in Pads

The beauty of football is in its physicality, which escalates when the pads are donned. Today was the Ravens’ first padded practice and both players and coaches were excited about getting deeper into training camp and practice.

“That’s what football is; this is the start of football,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve done all the stuff we’ve needed to do to prepare us for today – you get out here today and you start evaluating the football team. It was exciting, it was fun, guys did a nice job. I can’t wait to look at the tape and get back again tomorrow.”

“You know what – as you well know we have to graduate to pads, which we did,” Offensive Line Coach Joe D’Alessandris said. “Today was the first day in pads, and you heard pads popping – and that’s football right, that’s what it’s supposed to be.”

“This is how the game is played,” center Tyler Linderbaum said. “Just to be out here in front of fans, going against each other [and] making each other better; it’s a good first [padded] practice. We’ve got to build off [of] that.”

Big Play Highlights

• Wide receiver Nelson Agholor caught a slant pass and broke free into the open field. However, cornerback Nate Wiggins, playing cornerback on the opposite side of Agholor’s catch, chased down the veteran wideout and got to him at the five-yard line in what would be a touchdown-saving tackle.
• Multiple defenders got to the quarterback in practice by way of Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr sending extra rushers. On back-to-back plays, cornerback Arthur Maulet and Ar’Darius Washington got home as they blitzed off the edge. Later in 11-on-11, outside linebacker Tavius Robinson got to the quarterback as the defense sent extra rushers.
• Recently re-signed defensive back Daryl Worley intercepted Devin Leary on the far field and ran it back for a touchdown.
• Seventh-round rookie Sanoussi Kane got his first interception as a Raven after tracking and catching a ball deflected by cornerback Ka’dar Hollman. Bump Cooper Jr. also nabbed an interception today.
• Harbaugh gave the young players a live drill to end practice where the offense would be lined up at the 4-yard line and have three plays to score. It took only one snap to end the drill, as Leary got the snap and floated a ball to rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker on a fade route against Wiggins, who he had outmaneuvered for the touchdown. The drill ended and with it, practice, too.

False Start Laps

The Ravens instituted a rule this offseason that any player who jumps before the snap runs a lap around the field. Today, three players were flagged for the infraction.