For the first time in weeks, Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum was back on the field with his Ravens teammates.
Linderbaum, one of two returning starters on the offensive line, was in a red no-contact jersey and participating in blocking drills.
Linderbaum first missed practice on Aug. 2, and coach John Harbaugh said it was “a minor soft-tissue kind of thing,” and that he should be back the next week. Three days later, Harbaugh indicated that Linderbaum had had some neck discomfort and that they would be cautious with him.
He missed the rest of training camp, but Harbaugh said after Saturday’s preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers that he expected Linderbaum would be good to go for Week 1. At the Ravens’ first practice preparing for their Sept. 5 season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Linderbaum returned.
“I thought he looked good out there,” Harbaugh said. “It’s good to see Tyler Linderbaum out there at practice. I’m pleased with that.”
As a Pro Bowler, returning starter and leader, Linderbaum is essential to the success of an offensive line that could feature three new starters. The Ravens were starting to give him even more control over the presnap decisions and communication before he got injured. Quarterback Lamar Jackson relies heavily on his calls.
With Linderbaum out, the Ravens rotated three others through the position: Ben Cleveland, Patrick Mekari and rookie Nick Samac. But Cleveland had a wild snap in the Ravens’ second preseason game, against the Atlanta Falcons; Mekari is in the mix to start at right tackle; and Samac suffered an ankle sprain against the Packers. In all three preseason games, the Ravens struggled to find an interior push without Linderbaum.
Linderbaum’s return was countered by a long list of absences. Some were because of injuries. Others were related to roster moves that are still ongoing.
Wide receiver Russell Gage, who was limited by injuries and barely played or practiced for the Ravens after signing early in the month, was released. Wide receiver Sean Ryan, undrafted rookie tight ends Mike Rigerman and Riley Sharp, undrafted rookie offensive tackle Darrell Simpson, undrafted rookie defensive end Tramel Walthour and undrafted rookie punter Jack Browning were waived.
The Ravens need to pare their roster down to 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
“We have a very good idea of where we’re at,” Harbaugh said. “There are moving parts. There’s different rules and eligibilities and different things like that, different needs, injuries ... that you take into account in order to set the roster and take advantage of trying to keep as many of the good players as you can.”
Here’s who else was not on the field and what we know:
Offense
- WR Nelson Agholor: The veteran receiver did not participate in the team’s joint practice in Green Bay. He’s not a candidate for cuts, so he may be dealing with injury. Harbaugh declined to go into detail but said it’s not serious.
- RB Rasheen Ali: Harbaugh announced after practice Monday that the fifth-round running back has been in concussion protocol. He did not play in the last two preseason games. While he was outperformed this camp, injuries to other players may give him a chance to make the roster.
- RB Owen Wright: The running back made a case for the third running back spot but broke his foot in the first half of the game against the Packers. He needs surgery, lowering his chances of making the roster since Keaton Mitchell will eventually return.
- TE Mark Andrews: The veteran tight end has not practiced since he was in a car crash. Harbaugh said after the Packers game that he expected Andrews to be back for Week 1. He reiterated that Monday.
Defense
- CB Arthur Maulet: After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in the first week of August, Maulet will be out for several weeks. He was taking first-team snaps as the nickel back prior to the procedure.
- S Kyle Hamilton: During the joint practice in Green Bay, Hamilton collided with a Packers receiver for a jump ball and then went to talk to trainers on the sideline. Although Hamilton fell to his hands and knees at one point, Harbaugh said it’s not a serious injury. Hamilton was also doing a light workout before the Packers preseason game.
- DB Christian Matthew: Matthew has missed numerous practices, and when he has participated, he hasn’t stood out. He was injured against the Packers.
- OLB Adisa Isaac: After coming back from a hamstring injury, Isaac suffered a soft-tissue injury in the opposite leg, Harbaugh said. The coach sounded optimistic about his return.
- ILB Josh Ross: Following the first preseason game, Ross suffered a concussion. Harbaugh said Monday it was suffered in a car accident. He is otherwise fine. He has not practiced since.
- DL Josh Tupou: Tupou played 64% of the defensive snaps in the first game and did not play in the next two. Tupou is a vested veteran, which means he wouldn’t be exposed to waivers if released and could sign with whomever.
- DL Deadrin Senat: Senat played 46% of the defensive snaps in the first game and did not play in the next two.
Baltimore Banner reporter Jonas Shaffer contributed to this article.
