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Matchups to Watch in Ravens-Packers Joint Practice
Here's who we're going to be watching when the Ravens travel to Green Bay for Thursday's joint practice.
S Kyle Hamilton vs. QB Jordan Love
Love is coming off a strong first season as a starter with a new contract in hand, and Hamilton just made first team All-Pro in Year 2. One thing to monitor is if Hamilton can make plays on the ball as Love threw just one interception over the final eight regular season games. They're two of the young stars in the NFL, and Thursday will be a good challenge for them both.
CB Nate Wiggins vs. WR Christian Watson
This matchup will be speed on speed as Wiggins ran a 4.28 second 40-yard dash and Watson ran his in 4.36. Wiggins is coming off an impressive showing in the preseason against the Eagles, but Watson will be his toughest test as a pro so far. Watson is a big receiver at 6-foot-4, 207-pounds, so it will be interesting to see how the lighter Wiggins handles him.
WR Rashod Bateman vs. CB Eric Stokes
Bateman inked a contract extension this offseason and is the healthiest he's been in years. He did miss time during training camp, but he is back fully practicing. Stokes was a first-round pick a year before Bateman and has also battled injuries early in his career. This will be a matchup between two guys looking to prove something.
RB Derrick Henry vs. LB Quay Walker
With Henry not playing in the preseason, Thursday will be an opportunity to show his full game (or close to it). Henry has an elite size/speed combination, but he's reigned in his physicality this summer. The joint practice will be different, though, and he'll face a standout linebacker in the 6-foot-4, 241-pound Walker, who led the Packers with 118 tackles last season. There are sure to be some big collisions between the two during practice.
ILB Trenton Simpson vs. RB Josh Jacobs
As Simpson enters his first season as a starter, the Ravens have given him extended run in the preseason. He's been active all training camp, and the joint practice could top off an impressive summer. Facing the newly-acquired Jacobs, who led the league in rushing in 2022 and has multiple seasons with at least 50 catches, will be a good test for the young Simpson.
Interior O-Line vs. DT Kenny Clark
The interior of Baltimore's line is one of the biggest question marks right now. Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele are the favorites to start at left and right guard, respectively, and Ben Cleveland, Patrick Mekari, and rookie Nick Samac have taken first team reps at center with Tyler Linderbaum sidelined. Thursday will be a big test facing Clark, who had 7.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl last season.
