Though the Baltimore Ravens were missing a significant number of players — 15 of them, to be exact — for Thursday’s practice, one particular player’s presence helped atone for the many absences.
Ravens safety Earl Thomas returned to the practice field last week, seeing on-the-field action for the first time since he fractured his left leg eight months ago. According to media members assembled for Thursday’s open practice, Thomas looked agile and fluid on the field, all while donning a protective sleeve on his left leg.
“Thomas looked smooth in drills, backpedaling and cutting with ease,” ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote on Thursday. “During team sessions, he was aggressive in closing on the ball, colliding with Willie Snead IV on one play.”
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh had similar praise for the veteran safety after Thursday’s practice.
“He’s had a great week,” said Harbaugh of Thomas. “He’s looked really good. Great anticipation, and then great ability to cover ground. He shows up in the right spots on a regular basis, so to me, that’s what great safeties do, and he’s doing a great job.”
Thomas, who joined the Ravens as a free agent in March on a four-year, $55 million contract, figures to be the centerpiece of the retooled Baltimore defense. Ravens linebacker Patrick Onwuasor is excited for Thomas to join the team on the field.
“It’s great in that back end, him giving calls from the back end down to us,” Onwuasor said Thursday. “We can look to him, and he’ll tell us what he wants to play, and it’s great, him being back there in that post.”
