The Ravens' safety corps dodged a scare as Beau Brade suffered just a minor ankle injury this week during organized team activities, Head Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday.
Brade left Monday's practice early after inadvertently colliding with a defensive teammate on a deep throw down the sideline. Brade slowly walked off the field with the help of a trainer.
The Ravens already lost Ar'Darius Washington for at least most of the season after he suffered a torn Achilles earlier this offseason. Brade and fellow second-year player Sanoussi Kane are competing for a key third safety role.
Veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie also left Monday's practice early and hasn't practiced the past two days, but Harbaugh said that is also a minor ankle injury.
Harbaugh Is Open to Possibility of Adding a Veteran Cornerback
There's plenty of buzz out there about the possibility of the Ravens adding a Pro Bowl cornerback with Jaire Alexander released by Green Bay this week and Jalen Ramsey is reportedly on the trade block in Miami.
Harbaugh wasn't asked about them specifically, but he was asked if he would be open to the notion of adding a veteran cornerback.
"I don't look at it as an 'or.' I look at it as an 'and,'" Harbaugh said. "Yes, we are happy with the guys we have, and I'm very confident those guys are all going to do well. And we turn over every stone. We're always interested in anything you see on the waiver wire or anything else."
Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins are the Ravens' top two cornerbacks, though Humphrey may play most of his snaps as the nickel cornerback. Awuzie, who was signed this offseason, would be the other outside cornerback.
The Ravens also have Jalyn Armour-Davis, second-year player T.J. Tampa, and sixth-round rookies Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam, among others, competing for roles.
Chuck Smith Has Pro Bowl Expectations for Travis Jones
The excitement surrounding defensive tackle Travis Jones continues to build.
Coming off a strong third season despite playing through an ankle injury for the majority of the year, Jones is primed for a big fourth year.
Jones said his contract is the "last thing on my mind this year," but he could be in store for a lucrative deal if he stays healthy and realizes his potential.
"Travis Jones has multiple moves. … He can do everything," Smith said. "If things go the way I see it for Travis Jones and the way I think the overview of our team goes, Travis Jones has a chance to be a Pro Bowler. He's as good as any defensive lineman/nose guard in the National Football League."
Smith Views Tavius Robinson as a Centerpiece of Ravens' Defense
Third-year outside linebacker Tavius Robinson is another player Smith has high expectations for.
Smith said Robinson embodies everything it means to be a Baltimore Raven and is part of the nucleus of the defense.
"Tavius Robinson doesn't get enough credit because Tavius Robinson is one of our centerpieces," Smith said. "He's not just a guy who came up and is an overachiever."
Smith added that Robinson has added rush moves to his repertoire and is set up to be "a bona fide pass rusher" and have a breakout season after recording 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year.
Smith 'Can't Say Enough' About Mike Green
It hasn't taken long for second-round outside linebacker Mike Green to catch the eye of the Ravens' coaching staff.
Smith said that Green is everything the Ravens thought he would be when they elected to use the 59th overall pick in the draft on him.
"Mike is the best example of this new generation that has learned from the pros, and he comes in already really highly skilled, so give him a lot of credit," Smith said. "… I can't say enough about Mike so far."
Smith was particularly impressed with Green's effort at OTAs. That was one of Green's attributes that originally caught the attention of Smith while watching his film in the pre-draft process.
"Mike Green runs to the ball every play," Smith said. "You don't have to coach him on it. That's one of the best things."
Green had an interception during Tuesday’s practice as he continues to learn the ropes of the Ravens' defense heading into minicamp.
