The Ravens had a skeleton crew at Friday's afternoon practice.
The team had 20 players sidelined because of injuries or veteran rest days, including Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs, Breshad Perriman (knee), Marlon Brown (back), Maxx Williams (eye) Kelechi Osemele (foot), Daryl Smith and Ladarius Webb. That number also included players on the physically unable to perform list like Dennis Pitta and Terrence Brooks.
The absence of three of the team's top receivers opened the door for some of the younger players to get increased reps, and undrafted rookie DeAndre Carter took advantage of the opportunity. He made several nice catches during practice during his work with quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Matt Schaub.
Carter hauled in a touchdown catch down the sideline during team drills when he split defenders Cassius Vaughn and Kendrick Lewis. Schaub hit Carter perfectly on the throw. Later in the day,[comma] he made a nice snag on an out route from Flacco for a first down.
The Sacramento State product is in the middle of a tough competition for a roster spot, and he had arguably his best practice of the summer.
Here were some of the other notes of the day:
- After an incredibly physical practice Thursday, the Ravens dialed back the intensity. The team practiced in shorts and shells, and there was no full-contact work.
- Cornerback Kyle Arrington returned after having yesterday to rest, and he had a strong day. He played tight coverage in one-on-one drills, which is a tough assignment for a cornerback. At one point, he locked up much bigger receiver Darren Waller to keep him from getting off the line of scrimmage. He also batted down a jump ball pass intended for Kamar Aiken.
- Cornerback Asa Jackson flashed good speed as a kick returner to hit the edge and turn upfield. The kick and punt returner competitions are wide open, but Jackson is currently listed as the starting kick returner on the team’s depth chart.
- The Ravens tried to take some shots to Waller on fade rates in the end zone during red-zone drills, but the quarterbacks couldn't connect with him. The 6-foot-6 receiver has the size to be a matchup nightmare on the goal line, but he still needs to build chemistry.
- One of the best passes of the day was a 20-yard dart from Flacco to Aiken for a touchdown. The pass sailed just over linebacker C.J. Mosley's head and hit Aiken right in the chest where he could cruise in for the touchdown.
- Outside linebacker Steven Means flashed a few times. He got a good pass rush on Flacco that would have been a sack (defenders are told not to get too close to quarterbacks in practice), and he also intercepted Schaub for a pick-six.
- Justin Tucker showed he's more than just a kicker. He made a nifty one-handed snag on the sidelines on a throwaway by Flacco. It was his best Odell Beckham Jr. impression.
