The Ravens' third week of training camp began with some great news. All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley passed his physical and was back on the field, practicing for the first time since his season-ending ankle injury on Nov. 1.
Stanley did the individual drills portion of practice before heading inside, part of a planned easing-in process.
"I think we were hoping for right around now. He's certainly very much on schedule," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "[He's] been working really hard. If you'd seen him working the last couple of weeks, you'd have been impressed. So, that was good to see."
The timing of Stanley's return was one of the big questions heading into training camp, and seeing him healthy enough to join his teammates in practice on Aug. 9 gives Stanley more than a month to get ready for the Sept. 13 season-opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Stanley, who signed a five-year contract extension last season, is a major piece of the offense, protecting Lamar Jackson's blindside and leading an offensive line that has fueled the league's top rushing attack the past two seasons. Baltimore's offensive line is undergoing major changes with Bradley Bozeman's move from left guard to center, and the addition of two veterans on the right side who were signed as free agents – guard Kevin Zeitler and tackle Alejandro Villanueva.
Stanley is entering the prime of his career at age 27, and losing him last season was a major blow. He has worked diligently in rehab and has been rewarded by rejoining his teammates on the field.
In other transactions, wide receiver Siaosi Mariner was signed, while tight end Jacob Breeland was waived. Mariner was an undrafted rookie in 2020, while Breeland had been out with a knee injury after being signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
