Alohi Gilman is still learning his teammates' names and calling them by jersey numbers on the practice field, but he could make an instant impact in the Ravens secondary in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Gilman has impressed teammates and coaches in practice this week.
"Hats off to him. He got on a redeye, flew in, [came right into] practice and made plays," Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said Thursday. "He's communicating like he was here throughout the whole training camp."
Gilman said learning the Ravens' playbook has been "a lot of work" this week, but also fun. Picking up new systems is something he has experience with. In his six NFL seasons, he's played for three different head coaches and in three different defensive systems. He played at two different colleges (Navy and Notre Dame) and had three different defensive coordinators.
"I would say it's a strength of mine, being in multiple systems throughout my career," Gilman said. "It hasn't been a crazy hard transition for me, just having that football knowledge and being around the game. There's obviously some crossover with systems with the Chargers and Ravens [being] similar."
With Kyle Hamilton (groin) looking likely to return to action after practicing all week, the Ravens could use a heavier dose of three-safety looks against the Rams. Gilman should free up Hamilton to line up in more places. Rookie Malaki Starks has played nearly every defensive snap so far, so Gilman could also take some pressure off the first-round pick.
"In terms of playing ball and getting out there and doing my job at a high level, that's what I do. I'm not worried about that," Gilman said. "We're going to do it on Sunday and have a good time doing it."
Ar'Darius Washington Is Still on Track to Return
The Ravens added two safeties this week with Gilman and practice squad veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and they still expect to get another back later this season.
Ar'Darius Washington, who is recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in May, has had no setbacks, Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
"I would say, from my understanding, Ar'Darius Washington is doing well," Harbaugh said. "I know that we were talking about November or December back then. I haven't heard anything to change that, so I'll be hoping for that."
Will Ravens Keep Puka Nacua From Breaking Record?
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua leads the league in receiving yards (588) and receptions (52) so far this season.
If he catches seven passes on Sunday against the Ravens, he'll have 59, which would be the most in NFL history through the first six games of a season, topping Adam Thielen from 2018.
"A physical receiver. He can get open, make tough catches," cornerback Nate Wiggins said. "We've just got to hit him and keep him from going off."
Nacua is on pace for 177 receptions and 1,999 yards this season, which would break the single-season receptions and receiving yards records.
What makes him especially tough to take away, even with double teams, is that he lines up everywhere. Nacua has played 110 snaps in the slot, 89 at right receiver, and 55 on the left side, per Pro Football Focus.
"It's hard to get a beat on where he is going to line up at, and what he's going to do," Orr said. "I think the key is just making sure that we're lined up correctly, and we have our cleats in the ground, because they do a lot of motions and shifts. They probably motion more than any team in the National Football League. So, we have to make sure that we are aligned right, that we're aligned quickly, and we're communicating and on the same page so we can give ourselves a chance."
Jake Hummel Remembers Last Ravens-Rams Meeting Well
Ravens fans surely remember Tylan Wallace's walk-off overtime punt return against the Rams in 2023 when these two teams last met. First-year Ravens linebacker Jake Hummel remembers it well, too. He was on the other side of the play for the Rams.
Tight end Charlie Kolar's block on Hummel was critical in springing Wallace, who raced 76 yards down the sideline. The block was questionably in the back, however, and Hummel said the Rams sent the play to the NFL for clarification.
"We got word back that it should've been [penalized for] a block in the back," Hummel said. "But it's also one of those situations where it's overtime. The refs don't want to call something like that. I kind of get it."
Hummel said he's seen that play, "too many times" since he signed with the Ravens this offseason, and he expects to see it even more before this Sunday's game.
"Charlie always gives me a look from across the room," Hummel said. "That was a great game and hopefully we can get a similar outcome."
Hummel was roommates with Kolar for all four years at Iowa State, so that play two years ago had additional meaning. After Hummel played his first three NFL seasons with the Rams, Sunday's game will also have special significance.
"It's a first for me. I've never had this experience before," Hummel said. "I'm more just excited to prove myself going against those guys. There's no bad blood there. You just want to play well against your old team."
