Lamar Jackson missed time at the start of training camp due to illness. Then Rashod Bateman was sidelined for a stretch after falling hard making a spectacular touchdown catch.
Now on the field together, the two players looking to boost their chemistry connected on a beauty in Monday's practice.
During 11-on-11 work, Jackson heaved a perfectly placed deep pass to Bateman down the right sideline and he caught it in stride behind Ka'Dar Hollman for what would have been about a 65-yard touchdown.
The Ravens need Jackson and Bateman to keep hitting on that deep connection to open up their offense this season, and Monday's big play will only help to develop that chemistry.
Here are more notes from practice:
- Jackson did leave practice with a trainer for about 10 minutes after sitting on the ground behind the rest of the team. He returned seemingly without issue, however, and said after practice, "I'm good. I'm wonderful. I'm great."
- First-round rookie Nate Wiggins shows no signs of his shoulder injury suffered in the preseason opener. During 11-on-11 work, Wiggins stepped in front of a Devin Leary throw intended for Qadir Ismail for an interception.
- Wiggins took on tight end Isaiah Likely on a couple of one-on-one reps. The rookie cornerback had him blanketed on a quick slant but it was still completed. Then Wiggins again had very tight coverage on Likely down the sideline but Jackson rifled the pass into a keyhole for a completion.
- Rookie center Nick Samac, who is competing for one of the final 53-man roster spots on the offensive line, earned first-team reps after a strong preseason game, Head Coach John Harbaugh said. That allowed Ben Cleveland to play more reps at guard, where Harbaugh said the Ravens wanted to see him get some work.
- Jackson's only blemish on the day was a red-zone interception when the ball hung in the air a little too long and Pepe Williams jumped in front of Keith Kirkwood to make the grab.
- Odafe Oweh had two sacks on three plays near the end of practice, beating rookie Roger Rosengarten on one.
- The ground game seemed to get cranked up with Derrick Henry leading the way on several long gains and fullback Patrick Ricard paving lanes. With no preseason action for Henry, we have still yet to see the full impact of the Ravens' most important free agent addition.
- Kyle Hamilton had a couple of big collisions with second-year running back Owen Wright, once tossing him to the turf at the end of a completion and another popping the pads on an inside run alongside linebacker Trenton Simpson.
- Marcus Williams showed off his range, going a long way to break up a long pass intended for Zay Flowers during seven-on-sevens.
