Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson did not practice on Monday for what the team called a pre-planned personal matter and excused absence. This was Jackson’s first missed practice of training camp.
Without the two-time Most Valuable Player, along with no wide receiver Rashod Bateman and a scheduled off day for kicker Tyler Loop, Monday’s shortened practice proved to be vanilla.
Dozens of young children repping Jackson’s No. 8 jersey searched across the Ravens practice field for him. “I see Lamar,” one yelled, only to be disappointed when he learned he’d be watching a Jackson-less practice.
Howard Country resident Patrick Campbell said his two children asked at least six times where the quarterback was. His 6-year-old son’s interest waned off when Campbell told him Jackson wouldn’t be practicing today.
Jonas Ritter, a 17-year-old from White Marsh, said, “I’m a little upset” about not seeing the starting quarterback. It’s “got to be disappointing for [children] to realize he’s not here.”
Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot), running back Marcus Major Jr. (concussion), offensive tackle Emery Jones (shoulder) and cornerback Robert Longerbeam were all expected absences.
Safety Kyle Hamilton appeared to come off the field early and was stretching his groin. He did not return, but a majority of the veterans enjoyed a lighter day. Wide receiver Xavier Guillory was pulled early too and did not return. Neither case appeared to be serious.
Monday’s shell practice set up what should be a dramatic Tuesday.
‘It’s two games this week’
On Tuesday, the Ravens host their first of two joint practices. This one, against the Indianapolis Colts, is the opening act to the preseason opener at 7 p.m. Thursday night.
Defensive coordinator Zach Orr said he’s telling his players, particularly the ones on the roster bubble, “it’s two games this week.” Orr was in that position during his playing days. So he’s using the buildup to Tuesday and Thursday to remind them that “no matter where you’re at in your career … every single time you step on that field, you’re fighting for your career. You’re getting evaluated and you got to think that way.”
Tuesday’s practice should break up the monotony of camp, too. The Ravens have spent the past two weeks running plays against their teammates. This is finally a different colored jersey to hit.
“It’s just fun to do something different,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said.
“It’s fun to do something different.” OC Monken on the value of joint practices pic.twitter.com/sXqtjnFIpY
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 4, 2025
Sunday’s stadium practice was the first time in weeks that Monken didn’t wake up and go through his regular, strict routine, he said. Tuesday poses the first challenge for this iteration of his offense to test itself against new schemes and unfamiliar formations. And considering coach John Harbaugh said Sunday that no Ravens stars will be suiting up during the preseason, the joint practice means valuable reps for guys like Jackson, Derrick Henry, Roquan Smith and others.
Monken equated the first joint practice to the first day of training camp. Guys are reenergized. In 2018, when these two teams shared a practice field, it led to a full-out brawl, spawning from two players throwing punches on a punt return.
How hard is it to manage those tempers and avoid fighting? “I think it’s pretty hard,” veteran fullback Pat Ricard said. “We’re in training camp, especially guys who are fighting for their jobs, their livelihoods. … Hopefully that doesn’t happen again because it got crazy out there [in 2018].”
A pair of Rush highlights
Without Jackson, backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Devin Leary split Monday’s practice reps. It wasn’t until the back half of the 90-minute session that Rush connected with Zay Flowers streaking upfield for a long touchdown, eliciting the afternoon’s first cheers.
A few plays later, Rush made another throw from inside the red zone that Tylan Wallace corralled against the left corner of the end zone over cornerback Nate Wiggins.
“I think [Rush] just gets it,” Monken said, of what’s impressed him most about the new backup. “When I was in Tampa, we tried to get him there but we were pretty loaded at quarterback. You don’t make it as long as he has without understanding, one, what’s asked of you through your system and yet knowing your liabilities as a player. And I think he’s maximized that.”
Cornerback No. 3?
Baltimore’s top two cornerback spots are all but locked up, with Marlon Humphrey and Wiggins. One of two new guys in the room could grab that No. 3 spot: Jaire Alexander or Chidobe Awuzie.
Orr doesn’t see it that way.
“Both of those guys know they’re gonna play,” Orr said. “You’re gonna see those guys out there at the same time. I think that’s a decision, if Coach [Harbaugh] and them wanna make it. I’m not really looking at it as a competition. Those guys are gonna play for us. I’m not looking at it as 1s or 2s.”
The Baltimore Sun’s Sam Jane contributed to this report. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.