It's been more than a week since second-year outside linebacker Tyus Bowser practiced.
He didn't play in either of the first two preseason games, and Head Coach John Harbaugh told reporters Sunday that Bowser is dealing with a groin injury.
"It doesn't feel like he's 100 percent right now," Harbaugh said. "But he needs to get back out there. Competition is starting to heat up."
Bowser entered training camp looking to take on an even larger role on defense after a strong spring of offseason practices, but he'll have his work cut out for him when he does get back on the field. Outside linebacker is one of the deepest position groups on the team, and snaps will be even tougher to come by with the development of Tim Williams and Kamalei Correa.
Williams and Correa have both showed steady progress in the two preseason games, and the Ravens of course still have Terrell Suggs and Matthew Judon at the top of the depth chart, with Za'Darius Smith also looking to have a big season in a contract year.
The Ravens have high hopes for Bowser, who notched three sacks as a rookie, but he needs to get back on the field soon in order to carve out his role before the regular season.
Hurst Has 'Inside Track' on Right Tackle Job
With starting right guard Marshal Yanda getting more and more practice reps as he returns from offseason shoulder surgery, the Ravens are getting a better look at what the starting offensive line may look like going into Week 1.
With Yanda back in the lineup, the Ravens moved James Hurst to right tackle (Hurst has been playing right guard with Yanda out), which has moved rookie Orlando Brown out of the starting lineup. Brown has taken nearly all the first-team reps at right tackle during training camp, but Harbaugh indicated that Hurst has a bit of an edge in the competition.
"James has the inside track, certainly as the veteran guy, but Orlando gets better every day," Harbaugh said. "It's going to be a battle."
Skura Starting to 'Accelerate His Progress'
Another competition along the offensive line is at center, where Matt Skura has taken the majority of the first-team snaps. The Ravens have also given Alex Lewis a look at center, but Skura has received the bulk of the work as the Ravens need someone to replace last year's starter Ryan Jensen.
Harbaugh indicated that Skura has made some good strides within the last week.
"Matt had a really good game and he's had two really good practices since the game," Harbaugh said. "Since the game, he's starting to really accelerate his progress."
The current first-team offensive line is Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, Lewis at left guard, Skura at center, Yanda at right guard and Hurst at right tackle.
Canady Excited to Play Outside Corner Again
Third-year cornerback Maurice Canady was one of the major bright spots in Thursday's win over the Rams, as he came up with an acrobatic leaping interception.
Canady gives the Ravens much-needed depth in the secondary, and his ability to play inside and outside cornerback makes him a critical piece of the defense. He mostly played slot cornerback last year after the season-ending injury to Tavon Young, but now the Ravens are giving Canady more reps as an outside corner.
"I'm comfortable with both," Canady said. "But my natural skillset would obviously fit outside with my size and speed, so I'm excited to get back outside."
Canady, 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds, has the size to match up against bigger receivers on the edge. The Ravens have even talked about using him at safety in certain packages.
"It's a huge deal for me to display my versatility on a daily basis," Canady said. "It really projects the player that I envision myself to be."
Seiler 'Starting to Flash'
Rookie defensive lineman Zach Sieler was Baltimore's final draft pick this year, but the Ferris State product is catching the eye of his coaches in training camp.
He came up with a sack against the Rams, and he's carried that over to the practice field.
"He's starting to flash," Harbaugh said. "He has power. He's an explosive guy. And the sack on the right side where he powered through the guard, got on the edge and just snatched the quarterback, that was an NFL-style play. He's put himself in the running."
Brown Even Better Than Advertised
The strong training camp for wide receiver John Brown has been well documented.
He seems to make a few big plays every practice, and Harbaugh said that the veteran wide receiver has surprised him with the impact he's made in training camp.
"I think he has been better than we expected," Harbaugh said. "Obviously we had high hopes for him, but better than advertised. Probably even better than what the tape showed."
