Ed Reed wasn't expected to play last week in Atlanta, as long-time veterans like he and Ray Lewis sometimes sit out the preseason opener. Reed was even listed as a scratch when the Ravens first announced their inactive players.
But the veteran safety had a change of heart before the game, and when the Ravens defense first took the field, Reed was out there.
"A couple teammates asked me to play and I was like, 'cool, I'm not doing anything else,'" Reed said Sunday after the practice at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. "I was physically able to play. I was looking forward to playing anyway, just getting out there with the guys and seeing how everything was moving."
Plus, Reed said that he had to get his jersey ready for the season.
"I had to get my uniform acclimated to the season, so it was about breaking my uniform in the first preseason game," he said.
Reed only played in the first quarter and did not register any statistics. He expects to get more reps this Friday when the Ravens welcome the Detroit Lions to M&T Bank Stadium. "This one here will be about a little bit more repetition, being a little bit more professional about it," Reed said. "We're looking to get some quality reps against Detroit and I'm sure they're looking to do the same thing."
