Two big Ravens figures returned to practice Friday.
Offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata each passed their conditioning test and were on the field for the first time in training camp.
They both participated in individual drills, but not 11-on-11 work.
"Praise God I'm back 2 good health! & Haloti & I ran & passed the condition test this morning," tweeted McKinnie, who passed with a dive at the end.
McKinnie hadn't practiced since Organized Team Activities. He was held out of minicamp in an effort to get in better shape, arrived at training camp four days late (Sunday night) and hasn't practiced since reporting.
McKinnie told Head Coach John Harbaugh that he strained a muscle in his back when he fell at home, which he said kept him from arriving to training camp on time. McKinnie not only passed his conditioning test, but also a physical.
"Yes, the back is cleared up," Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
There was also the issue with*McKinnie's weight, which he said is *supposed to get down to 345 pounds. It's unknown at this time whether the veteran has hit that mark.
"Like I said many times, I do believe he is a hard worker," Harbaugh said Monday. "I do believe he is working hard. But he's not ready to practice yet."
Judging from his tweets, McKinnie has been working. "Pain is weakness leaving the body!" he tweeted Thursday.
McKinnie is still listed as the Ravens' top left tackle on the depth chart, which was released this week. That would move Michael Oher back to right tackle.
Harbaugh said getting McKinnie back "means a lot," but indicated he'll have to earn his starting spot.
"It's another offensive lineman," Harbaugh said. "Of course, Bryant is a guy that has played a lot of football for his career, but also for us last year. He is competing right in there with the rest of the guys. He can be a big part of us, and has been."
Ngata tweaked a hamstring taking the conditioning test at the start of training camp last Thursday. The three-time Pro Bowler felt he was pretty close to returning earlier this week.
"We're probably working him a little slower than he'd like us to," Harbaugh said. "He's starting to run now and I think he's going to be fine very soon."
