Bad back, front keep Ravens QB Flacco sidelined

Aug 15, 2017 - 10:05 PM OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- With the current state of their offensive line, the Baltimore Ravens are not taking chances with quarterback Joe Flacco.

He will be on the bench for all four preseason games.

Baltimore is ravaged with injuries and there is still a month before the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against Cincinnati. Flacco has yet to practice because of a back injury, but is expected to return in the short term. In the meantime, backup Ryan Mallett will handle the majority of snaps.

Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is not overly concerned about the lack of reps for the veteran Flacco, who is entering his 10th season in the NFL.

"It looks like we'll have just enough time there to get him ready as long as he keeps progressing," Mornhinweg said. "By all accounts, he's progressing pretty well."

The Ravens have shuffled their offensive line throughout training camp because of injuries and the unexpected retirement of John Urschel, who was expected to compete for the starting job at center.

Both left guard Alex Lewis and guard Nico Siragusa have already been lost with season-ending injuries. Six-time Pro Bowler Marshal Yanda is being brought along slowly after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley missed practice this week for undisclosed reasons and will likely miss the second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said Stanley has been dealing with "camp stuff."

However, veteran Austin Howard, who was signed on Aug. 4, could make his Ravens' debut in Miami.

Baltimore has struggled to have the same five offensive linemen working together on the first team for consecutive days. That challenge has been an area of concern for Mornhinweg.

"If you look around football, the line plays together," Mornhinweg said. "Five or six guys play together pretty much throughout the year, and that way you can stay pretty consistent that way. So, yes, it is important."

Harbaugh expressed confidence Wednesday the offensive line will fully come together by the regular season.

"We'll make it work," Harbaugh said.

A look around the roster:

--Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis was signed Monday and quarterback Dustin Vaughan was waived. The Ravens are Lewis' eighth team in eight seasons. Lewis signed a one-year, $760,000 deal with the 49ers in March 2016, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has not appeared in a NFL game since 2013 with the Bills.

--Wide receiver Breshad Perriman has not practiced since Aug. 1 because of a hamstring injury. However, Harbaugh has not ruled him out for the preseason.

"He's a long-term hamstring guy in terms of when he did it," Harbaugh said. "It's a pretty good hamstring that he had. He's making progress. Everything is on schedule. They're happy with the way he's progressing. That's what I know."

Perriman, the team's first-round pick in 2015, missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury.

--Safety Eric Weddle returned to practice Monday after leaving early Sunday for an undisclosed reason. Weddle played in the first preseason game against the Redskins and will likely see more reps Thursday against Miami. He and fellow safety Tony Jefferson are hoping to be one of the top playmaking duos in the league.

--Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the team's first-round pick in the 2017 draft, will make his Ravens' debut Thursday.

"It will be fun to see," Harbaugh said. "Seeing game reps will be a big step for him." He did not play in the preseason opener against the Washington Redskins for undisclosed reasons but was back at practice this week. Humphrey has been impressive throughout camp and is competing for a starting role opposite Jimmy Smith.

--Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin was held out of practice Sunday, but returned to workouts the following two days. Maclin could make his Ravens debut Thursday against the Miami Dolphins. He was not active for the preseason opener against the Redskins. Maclin signed a two-year deal in June after being cut by Kansas City.

--Linebacker Tyus Bowser was able to practice this week after missing a workout Sunday. Bowser, a second-round pick from Houston in this year's draft, has been impressive throughout training camp. He has earned accolades from coaches for his ability to drop back in coverage.

--Left tackle Ronnie Stanley missed three practices this week for undisclosed reasons and is likely out against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. Harbaugh said Stanley has been dealing with "camp stuff." Stanley also missed four games last season with a foot injury. He recovered and finished the year as one of the top rookie offensive linemen in the league.