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Lamar Jackson was absent from a voluntary practice for the Baltimore Ravens, and that usually draws attention.
New coach Jesse Minter didn’t seem to be breaking a sweat.
“Lamar has been one of our offseason program leaders, and he had a couple things happening yesterday and today, and I hope he’s back soon,” said Minter, who replaced John Harbaugh after last season. “We’ve had some great conversations. I know when he comes back and again, I’ll probably leave them between me and Lamar.”
Jackson’s attendance at these types of OTAs has been sporadic over the years. It’s hard to say how much that matters, but it’s certainly a problem that critics have pointed out from time to time. His contract, with two years remaining, has also been a major topic lately after he and the Ravens did not agree to an extension before the start of free agency. Instead, Baltimore restructured Jackson’s deal to create cap space.
Jackson was at Minter’s first minicamp with the Ravens last month.
That camp wasn’t open to reporters, but Tuesday’s OTA was, offering a chance to see how the new coach handled practice on a hot day in Owings Mills. At the end, the team participated in a game in which offensive and defensive players competed by throwing medicine balls.
Minter said that’s part of preparing the team to play well in the biggest moments, something the Ravens have struggled with in recent years.
“We finish practice every day with a ‘do our best when our best is needed’ period, so it could be anything different. Today we decided to do a little friendly competition,” Minter said. “Right now, you can’t really participate in the soccer competition, so I thought it would be something different, something fun. I try to make sure the guys don’t know what’s about to happen and answer the bell when their number is called, and it’s as simple as that. That’s really all we’re trying to do with it and make it fun, have the guys push themselves for each other.”
Earlier, there was a terrifying moment when running back Derrick Henry bumped knees with another player and remained on the ground for a moment. He was able to return to practice shortly after.
“The floor felt like a bed for a while,” he said. “And I saw all of you (reporters) looking hot and bored, so I thought, ‘I need to give you something to tweet and write about.'”
Associated Press report
