Week number five of Ravens training camp got underway Monday with no sign of Joe Flacco on the field. The long time starting quarterback hasn’t practiced at all since camp started while recovering from a back issue.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh went as far as to promise Flacco will suit up for the regular season opener. But that’s now less than two weeks away. Still, no cause for concern say the teammates that play in front of him.
“I think a lot of guys have had enough experience with Joe over the last few years, through OTA’s this year, that we kind of know what to expect when Joe comes onto the field,” said offensive lineman Matt Skura. “I think it’s going to be a pretty smooth transition when Joe comes into the game.”
Some good and bad injury news elsewhere on the field Monday. Rookie cornerback Marlon Humphrey and left tackle Ronnie Stanley both returned from injury. However, Harbaugh revealed that linebacker Albert McClellan tore his ACL in practice last week and will miss the upcoming season. That's a tough loss because McClellan is a valuable member of the special teams unit and provides depth to the linebacking group.
While the main focus in Owings Mills remains on football, many players and coaches are thinking about something else. They are thinking about Houston. Rookie linebacker Tyus Bowser is among those who are keeping a close eye on what’s happening following Hurricane Harvey. He’s a Texas native and played college ball at the University of Houston.
“It’s kind of mind-blowing just to see how it is now. Just being through school, just these last couple years, I know we had came through a couple rain storms and it’s flooded a little bit. Of course the highways and streets have flooded but nothing compared to how it is now,” said Bowser. “I’m praying for everybody, hoping that everybody is safe. Being out here in Baltimore my love and support for Houston is always there.”
The Ravens head south Wednesday in advance of Thursday night’s preseason finale in New Orleans.
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