Quarterback Joe Flacco will not play in any preseason games, but is expected to be under center for Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 10.
Flacco had his injured back re-examined, which has given the Ravens a more definitive timeframe for his return, the team announced Friday afternoon.
The team said his "progress from a back issue is good."
The franchise quarterback will return to practice in the preseason, though the timing of that was not specified.
Flacco injured his back shortly before reporting for Ravens training camp on July 21. He went through some on-field work with the other quarterbacks and injured vets, but reported his back stiffness to the team and was put on the shelf at the start of training camp on July 27.
It was originally thought that Flacco would only miss about a week, but he has now sat for two weeks.
Backup Ryan Mallett has stepped in as the Ravens' first-team quarterback with Flacco out. He went 9-of-18 for 58 yards in the first half against the Washington Redskins Thursday night and finished with a 13-0 lead.
Flacco has missed just six games over his nine NFL seasons, all coming in 2015 when he tore his left ACL. Despite other bumps and bruises, he's always suited up.
While the Ravens would always like to have Flacco on the field to build chemistry with the rest of the offense, they don't want to risk Flacco aggravating his injury in a preseason game. He will have time to build his rapport during practice, and will get a good test going against Baltimore's stingy defense.
