Ravens

[IE]

The Baltimore Sun reports the Ravens are only committing to "a week of rest" for the disk injury in Joe Flacco's back.

Beat writer Jeff Zrebiec reports Flacco has experienced back discomfort "for a little while," prompting doctors to "take a look" on Wednesday. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Flacco's back injury occurred while he was lifting.

Either way, the Ravens are hoping a full week of rest will "calm the symptoms down." Zrebiec also called reports Flacco is bracing to miss 3-6 weeks "a longer absence than I've been told."

This remains a huge concern for the Ravens.

 

[IE]

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said the team is exploring the possibility of signing Colin Kaepernick.

The coach said he has been talking to the quarterback throughout the summer. Kaepernick has connections both to Harbaugh -- Kaepernick played for his brother in San Francisco -- and offensive assistant Greg Roman, who was his offensive coordinator with the 49ers. The Ravens also need another quarterback with Joe Flacco sidelined with a back injury.

 

[IE]

Ravens Sign OT Austin Howard


The Ravens will sign former former Raiders offensive tackle Austin Howard, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Howard was released by Oakland one week ago.

It?s a three-year deal worth$16MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The deal includes team options after each year with $5.5MM coming to him in the first season. At the end, Howard was down to the Ravens and Texans after also visiting Houston.

The deal marks something of a homecoming for Howard, who once was a part of the Ravens? practice squad. He can expected to compete with James Hurst for the starting right tackle job. If he falls short, he can be used as a swingman off of the bench to bolster the depth on both the interior and exterior of the line. Then again, with a contract like this, the Ravens are probably anticipating that he?ll be with the first unit.

Howard was slowed by an ankle injury in 2016 and is coming off of a down year in terms of performance. Still, he offers far more experience than Hurst and could be a decent starter if he?s healthy. Hurst has just 16 career starts versus Howard?s 72 starts in 76 career appearances.

Overall, this hasn?t been a great offseason for the Ravens? offensive line. The team lost right tackle Ricky Wagner to free agency, center John Urschel to retirement, and guard Nico Siragusa to a season-ending knee injury. Baltimore hopes that the addition of Howard will help offset its major losses.

 

[BASON]

This is a great deal by the Ravens. Half the price of Wagner and arguably just as good.

 

[Salty]

They sign kaepernick yet opcorn2

 

[IE]

Joe Flacco (back) will not play in the preseason but is expected to start Week 1 against the Bengals.


Flacco received good news after having his back reexamined. He'll miss the Ravens' preseason slate as a precaution but should resume practicing at some point during camp and expects to be a go for Week 1. Flacco's improvement should come as a huge relief to Baltimore.