The scar from surgery is still visible just below the left pant leg on Joe Flacco's workout shorts. What is also obvious is the mental residue the Ravens quarterback still carries going into the start of the team's training camp.
A little more than eight months after being helped off the field at M&T Bank Stadium after suffering the first significant injury of his NFL career _ torn ACL and MCL _ Flacco will step back on the practice field Thursday for the first time when the team opens camp in Owings Mills.
He plans to wear a protective brace both in practice and games throughout the season.
Asked if the toughest part of his comeback would be physical or mental, Flacco, 31, was as decisive as coach John Harbaugh hopes the eight-year veteran will be when the team opens the 2016 season Sept. 11 at home against the Bills.
"I think it'll be mentally," Flacco told reporters. "I haven't played since November, I haven't really played football. I haven't gotten any offseason reps. I think the biggest thing will be getting out there and getting my vision back and slowing things down at a good pace that I want them to be at.
"I'm sure when I get out there the first time I'm going to be excited and therefore things will probably be moving a little faster than normal just because of that. I expect it to calm down quickly."
Still, given that Flacco's injury occurred after he got hit during a 16-13 win over the Rams on Nov. 22, he will have to see how the knee responds the first time he gets hit in a game this season.
"I haven't had to deal with people being around me while I'm stepping and throwing," Flacco said. "I assume that might take a little bit of an adjustment but I'm not too worried about it, so we'll see how it goes."
Flacco was unsure how much he will play in the four preseason games, beginning with a home game against the Panthers on Aug. 11.
"The goal is to make sure I'm as healthy as possible regular season Game 1," Flacco said. "I haven't talked directly to John about it, but I talked to the doctors a little bit. I'm not ridiculously worried about playing a ton in the preseason. ... To put it any further risk of getting hit in a preseason game probably wouldn't be the smartest thing."
