OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens ended their final offseason workouts and now set their sights on training camp in late July.
The players practiced without helmets on a hot and humid Thursday, making the session feel like the final school day before the summer break.
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey didn’t practice and has been mostly limited throughout the spring workouts. However, coach John Harbaugh expects Humphrey to be a full-go in late August.
“Just nagging things,” Harbaugh said. “He should be ready for training camp. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
Humphrey missed the beginning of the 2023 season with a foot injury. He also dealt with a calf injury that kept him out of the final four games. He returned for the AFC Championship Game but played just 13 snaps after missing the previous two games.
In addition to Humphrey, the players who didn’t practice Thursday included wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Deonte Harty, nose tackle Michael Pierce, offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, safety Kyle Hamilton (elbow), outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (hamstring), and running back Keaton Mitchell (knee)
Inside linebacker Roquan Smith was the dominant player and was solid in pass coverage. On one play, he ran down running back Justice Hill in the end zone to spoil a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had another solid day and avoided turnovers.
“He does lead by example, but he does it every way.,” Harbaugh said about Smith. “He’s also a vocal leader; he’s also kind of an inspirational leader. He does it on the field; he does it in the weight room; he does it in the meeting room. He’s just one those guys – one of those special kind of guys.”
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Qadir Ismail, the son of former Ravens wideout Qadry Ismail, worked out with the tight ends during individual drills. Qadir Ismail is a big target at 6 feet 6, 232 pounds.
“It’s exploring options,” Harbaugh said. “Everything nowadays, you put them in groups, you call them tight ends and wide receivers, but a lot of times, they do the same jobs. Having him over there working on some of those techniques was what we were doing. He’ll probably be kind of an inside receiver type of a guy; not to say that he couldn’t go outside and go get fades and things like that, he’s so big. I would say he’s really looked good. He’s had a nice camp.
“[He] signed as a tryout player. Obviously, he’s got a family pedigree – it’s incredible – but he’s doing it all on his own, and he made a couple of catches today. He looked good out there.”
The players will have off until training camp in late July. Harbaugh expects his players to report back in shape.
“There should be a plan in what we’re trying to accomplish every day,” Harbaugh said about this final message to the team.
“So, what are you trying to accomplish for the next weeks that leads into training camp that puts you in a position to have the best training camp?”
