Ravens fans who panicked when they saw Kyle Hamilton crumple to the field last Thursday weren't alone. Hamilton initially thought his ankle injury was much worse, too.
Hamilton said he was fearful that he had torn his Achilles when he went down. He still isn't completely sure whether the back of his foot was incidentally clipped by a Bengals receiver.
"I just felt pain, and I was initially scared, because I heard everybody talk about how when you get an Achilles [injury] it feels like you get stepped on or something like that," Hamilton said.
"I kind of wish I didn't go down the way I did, because everybody on the sideline was worried and family and stuff. I'm thankful and lucky that it wasn't as serious as it could've been and just happy to be here right now."
Turns out Hamilton only suffered a sprained ankle, and the long weekend off "helped a ton" in providing additional time for him to recover. Hamilton told reporters that he will play Sunday in Pittsburgh, following back-to-back practices this week.
"I think it was big for me to get out and at least do a full practice before the game," Hamilton said. "The trainers did a good job getting me back healthy, and I feel good."
Hamilton has missed only three games during his three NFL seasons thus far. He missed a pair of games at the end of the regular season last year with a knee injury, though many starters rested in the finale against the Steelers. He said bouncing back so quickly is part physical and mental.
"If I'm able to play, I'm going to play. Playing through pain or whatever – not saying that I am right now – I think it's important," Hamilton said.
"We only get a handful of these games. It's' not like we're in the MLB or NBA. Every single one of these counts, especially this one [with a] division opponent on the road. I want to be available as much as possible for my team, and I think I was just raised, 'If you can go, go.' So, I'll do that."
Ravens Will Need to Keep Cracking Down on QB Scrambles
On Thursday, the Ravens' pass rushers practiced a drill in which the quarterback (an assistant coach) did all kinds of spin moves and jukes to try to get out of sacks. The defenders were practicing not getting fooled or out of position to make the tackle.
They'll need to keep that up Sunday. Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson isn't much of a threat as a runner (he has 13 rushing yards on 10 scrambles this season), but he is adept at extending plays with his legs to make throws. It's somewhat similar to what the Ravens used to deal with playing against Ben Roethlisberger.
"You just have to do a good job of getting the guy," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "There are techniques involved and terms that we use for different guys, and there's different games and things that you can use."
The Steelers have also done a good job of limiting quarterbacks' scrambles. They held Washington's Jayden Daniels to five yards on three carries last week. Even Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, however, said Daniels shouldn't be compared to "Mr. Jackson."
"Pittsburgh is good at it; they have really good pass rushers. I think those guys, between [T.J.] Watt and [Nick] Herbig this week – he does a great job," Harbaugh said. "They brought in Preston Smith; that's a good addition. I think their tackles do a good job inside of pressing the pocket, and they shed blocks well. [Cameron] Heyward is still a force in there, so I think they do a good job with that."
Odafe Oweh's Basketball Brother, Otega, Helped Kentucky Beat Duke
Odafe Oweh isn't the only famous Oweh. His younger brother, Otega, grabbed the spotlight this week for Kentucky's men's basketball team in a huge win over No. 6-ranked Duke.
With 14 seconds left in a tie game, Otega made a critical steal ripping the ball away from Duke star Cooper Flagg. Otega took it the other way and hit four game-winning free throws in the final 10.3 seconds for a 77-72 victory.
Odafe couldn't be at Tuesday night's game but was keeping close tabs on his phone.
"I just had so much pride for him. I almost even like shed a tear," Odafe said. "I just know how much he works hard, how much he wanted this game, just to make an impact this season. He's off to a good start."
Odafe said he used to beat Otega on the basketball court when they were younger (mostly because of his size advantage, he conceded), but things changed when little bro turned 16.
"I couldn't guard him at that point. He was crossing me up," Odafe said. "He didn't dunk on me, but he crossed me and then did a dunk. So I was like, 'Alright, you got it, bro.' Early on, I definitely had it though."
As of last year, there were only 12 known pairs of brothers to have played in the NFL and NBA, per the Akron Beacon Journal.) via the Elias Sports Bureau. If Otega keeps playing like he did Wednesday night, the Oweh brothers could be the next.
Through the first three games, the 6-foot-4 junior guard is averaging 15.3 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and is shooting 53.5% from the field, including 50% from three-point range.
"He does it all," Oweh said. "And he prides himself on defense. That's always going to translate to the next level."
