HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Alright, I appreciate everyone being here. It's a good day, a good week [and] a big game – seems like they all are – against a tough opponent, and we're ready to go. We will be when the time comes, so what questions do you have?"
I know we've kind of asked you every day, but is there anything else on DL Nnamdi Madubuike that you can share? (Jamison Hensley) "[Nnamdi Madubuike is] out for this game. That's as far as I can state with certainty at this point."
Given some of the challenges you've had in the health department with the defensive line, how pleased have you been with the way DL John Jenkins has stepped up and played? I thought he played pretty well against Detroit. (Luke Jones) "That's such a good question, and you're right. [John Jenkins] played well against Detroit. He played really well. His reps will go up, for sure, and he's ready. He's practiced really well, and he's a decorated vet and a really good player. He's done a great job, so we're expecting a really good game from him. Yes, good point."
Other than Wednesday, you combined two days into one. What are kind of the other challenges or any other adjustments you made because you're on a short week? (Jamison Hensley) "It's just normal in the league. You just have to deal with it. I don't think it's any great advantage one way or the other. It's a little tougher if you're coming back, like we did last year, from the West Coast, from the Chargers [game]. That was a challenge, but our guys will be ready."
OLB Kyle Van Noy was back to practice today. How much would it mean to have him play on Sunday? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, it would mean a lot. It would mean a lot. It'd be great, so we'll just see where [Kyle Van Noy] is at and how he's doing."
How is T Ronnie Stanley doing? We know he has a long history with the ankle injury. (Luke Jones) "Yes, [Ronnie Stanley] is doing well. He's kind of in that day-to-day world right now, so we'll see. He's working hard to be there on Sunday."
I believe T Emery Jones Jr. is eligible to practice next week. Could that happen? Is he on track? (Jeff Zrebiec) "That's a good question. We have talked about that possibility. We'll see. [Emery Jones Jr.] is in that range, for sure."
Do you have optimism with TE Isaiah Likely now on a short week? (Jamison Hensley) "It just depends on what's best for us and the team, in terms of – we'll watch the tape [and] see how [Isaiah Likely's practice data] numbers look. It's going to be a tough environment. He's practiced [for] one week, but he looked really good, so is he ready to go in there, in this game, against those guys and play at the top, top level and help us win the game, or is somebody else more suited? But, he could do it. He looks good to me. I think he looks good, and we'll just have to see if it's the best thing for us on Sunday, and we haven't really decided that yet."
Is it a case where TE Isaiah Likely will need to be full participant in practice before you guys give him that green light? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "Yes, [Isaiah Likely] was out there today [in] full. I think he'll get a full designation today, probably."
You mentioned the numbers. Just in a general sense, how helpful has that been with player tracking data being where it is now to make those informed decisions? Obviously, you want feedback from a player, but you have data that can help drive that. (Luke Jones) "It's really good. It is another level of evaluation. Your eye is one thing, and usually your eye is right. But no, it's not always right. I was even informed of something about a player just last week, in terms of [the fact that] he was running faster than I thought, so that to me is just a hugely valuable tool. The guys really embrace it now. There are certain things that we try to do in terms of preparing them for Sunday, speeds they want to reach and different types of variable movement types of things. Whether it's straight speed, whether it's change of direction, stop-start or lateral movement, all those things are monitored. So, it does help with the muscle balance and the ability to be prepared to open it up and go on Sunday. So, we've been using it as much as we know how to use it, and I think we're probably on the cutting edge, to be honest with you."
Do you have any updates on FB Patrick Ricard? (Jonas Shaffer) "I don't. I think [Patrick Ricard] is still in rehab mode right now."
Is FB Patrick Ricard still week to week? (Jonas Shaffer) "I don't know."
