Justin Tucker didn't go far during the Ravens' bye week.
In the midst of the toughest stretch of his career and coming off three misses, including an extra point, in the Ravens' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Tucker said he stayed around the Under Armour Performance Center during his time off.
"[I feel] very good. Ready to go," Tucker said Monday.
"I was here all week, for the most part, anyways – in and out of the building. It's good to come back in and see everybody; getting in the meeting room; get out on the practice field and just get right back to work."
The Ravens continue to express their confidence in Tucker and that he can turn things around down the stretch. Head Coach John Harbaugh said he spoke with Monday when players returned from the bye.
"He's in a great place," Harbaugh said.
Michael Pierce Appears Closer to a Return
The Ravens are in a good spot health-wise coming out of the bye week, and they could get one of their top run stuffers back for Week 15.
Michael Pierce (calf), who returned to practice last week, was a full participant at Monday's practice, Harbaugh said. Pierce landed on injured reserve on Oct. 30 after suffering a calf injury against the Cleveland Browns.
Harbaugh also said Travis Jones was a full participant Monday. Jones has been dealing with an ankle injury for over a month but didn't miss a game.
"It's huge," Harbaugh said. "They are great players. Those guys are game-wreckers inside. Those guys being ready to go, being 100% is a possibility for us – a massive possibility. [They're] two massive guys playing massively good football. That's the idea – inside the trenches – there. These games are going to be won in the trenches – that's where it's going to start. That's what we want to do. We want those guys out there doing what they do."
Having two elite run stoppers back and healthy would be a big boost as the Ravens play three games in 11 days, all against teams with solid rushing attacks.
Harbaugh's Message to the Team Coming Off the Bye Week
The Ravens had the latest possible bye this season, and while they had to go 13 consecutive weeks without prolonged rest, they're reaping the benefits now.
Only one Raven missed Monday's practice due to injury (safety Sanoussi Kane) and players feel that the bye week came at the perfect moment.
"I definitely think it comes at the right time," wide receiver Rashod Bateman said. "We've all been going hard, like I said earlier. But it just gives guys a mental break [and allows us to] come back fresh mentally. [We're] eager to play [and] finish the season. We've got playoffs coming up, so [it] definitely [came at] a much-needed time, right now."
The Ravens trail the Steelers by two games in the AFC North, but everything remains ahead for Baltimore, including a rematch with Pittsburgh in Week 16. Before the bye week, Harbaugh said "the season starts now," and he echoed that sentiment Monday.
"Guys know, but we try to speak it," Harbaugh said. "We're all trying to be on the same page, but this is our opportunity, and it's about the football. Let's go play our best football. We're in a good place. We have a bunch of great players, a bunch of great coaches. We have some tough opponents in front of us starting with the Giants on Sunday, and let's go see what we're all about."
Zay Flowers, Bateman Say Diontae Johnson Suspension Isn't a Distraction
Last week, General Manager Eric DeCosta announced the Ravens suspended wide receiver Diontae Johnson for one game after he refused to enter the game against the Eagles.
That means Johnson will not practice this week with the team. Harbaugh had no further comment on the matter.
Fellow wide receivers Bateman and Zay Flowers discussed the suspension.
"No, I don't think [it's a distraction]," Bateman said. "Everybody in here [are] grown men. We all know we've got a task at hand, individually, and [Johnson] knows that, too. We're all aware of the situation. So, hopefully, we'll see him back next week."
"It's not a distraction," Flowers said. "That isn't my decision to make. Diontae is still going to ... He's one of my guys. He's one of our guys, so I don't really have much to say about it."
