The Baltimore Ravens saw several players sitting out of the first day of practice yesterday. Offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor, Orlando Brown Jr., and outside linebacker Shane Ray hadn’t yet passed their conditioning tests. Combined with the expected absences of wide receiver Marquise Brown and guard Alex Lewis, the Ravens didn’t start their 2019 training camp off on the best foot.
However, Day 2 of practice saw the team return nearly all of their players to practice.
Wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo, who had missed Day 1, was released. Eluemunor, Brown Jr. and Ray all passed their conditioning tests. However, center Matt Skura was a new absence, adding to Brown and Lewis to make three players out.
Coach John Harbaugh told reporters after practice that Skura had been given a personal day off to attend a family funeral. It’s expected he’ll return to practice soon.
With nearly everyone back on the field, the Ravens are quickly getting up to speed. Saturday will mark Baltimore’s first practice in pads, which just so happens to be their open practice at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Ravens’ good health (knocks on wood) comes as other teams have seen major injuries strike already. On Friday, the New York Giants lost two wide receivers after Corey Coleman tore his ACL and Sterling Shepard dislocated his thumb. On the very first day of training camp for the Denver Broncos, starting linebacker Todd Davis partially tore his calf.
It’s a huge bonus for Baltimore after years of seeing injuries strike early and often. With Lewis and Brown expected back on the field in the coming weeks, the Ravens should be able to get all 91 players practicing. That really benefits the team as they can build up their chemistry together and develop young players who might be needed in the next few years.
