The sweltering training camp practices are starting to pile up, and Tuesday was no different.
The sun beamed all day, and the temperature stayed in the 90s, yet the Ravens were still in full pads. But once practice ended, the rookies cooled off rather quickly.
In what has become a yearly tradition, rookies went down a gauntlet with players on both sides and a football in the middle. One player on each side sprayed the rookies with a hose as they dove to recover the "fumble" one by one.
Some players had trouble, like first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins who got up without the ball and had to go again, while others like undrafted outside linebacker Joe Evans received huge applause because of his big slide.
But it was Head Coach John Harbaugh who drew the most attention as he made his slip and slide debut. Harbaugh joked that running back Keaton Mitchell was making him feel bad for not doing it.
While the day's highlight came after practice, a lot happened on the field, too.
Here are some observations from Tuesday's practice:
- Derrick Henry bounced a run outside and outran two defenders to get the edge for a 20-yard score. He had another 20-yard run later in practice where he kicked out outside. His speed has been impressive so far in camp.
- In 11-on-11s, Lamar Jackson scrambled away from pressure and found Zay Flowers in the back of the end zone.
- Evans had a strong practice. He had a sack, a couple of pressures, and a tackle for loss. At Iowa, Evans had a ton of college production, and he will get some opportunities in the preseason.
- Qadir Ismail used his 6-foot-6 frame to sky over a defender for a 20-yard reception. He also caught a touchdown in 3-on-3 work.
- Jackson had his best throw of the day on a pass 40-yard downfield to Zay Flowers, but Flowers couldn't hang on. Jackson dropped it right in the bucket with Brandon Stephens in tight coverage.
- There were more flags than usual on Tuesday. The Ravens had an NFL crew officiating practice, so that surely played a role in all the yellow laundry.
- Safety Ar'Darius Washington jumped a Lamar Jackson pass intended for Mark Andrews for an interception. It's his second interception in as many days after having a pick-six in Monday's practice.
- Sean Ryan had the biggest play of the day when he tipped a pass from Devin Leary to himself and stayed inbounds to take it 80 yards for the score.
- Tylan Wallace had multiple touchdown receptions during 3-on-3 play. He also caught a touchdown from Jackson in a red zone drill.
- With the scoreboard at 55-54, Harbaugh announced it would be the last play of practice. From inside the 10-yard-line, Emory Jones targeted Ismail, but rookie Sanoussi Kane broke up the pass and celebration ensued on the defensive sideline.
