After a few weeks of hitting each other, the Ravens got their first crack at hitting another team on Tuesday.
Two days ahead of their preseason opener in M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens and Indianapolis Colts held a joint practice at the Under Armour Performance Center. Tuesday's practice was a good measuring stick for Baltimore's starters, who played seven out of 12 reps in each period, according to Head Coach John Harbaugh.
The competitiveness was on display when the two squads got into an altercation during punt return drills, which ended with the officials ejecting Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins and Colts running back Tyler Goodson from practice. But otherwise, it was an intense, good tune-up.
With Isaiah Likely sidelined with a foot injury, Charlie Kolar has been thrust into the No. 2 tight end role. He took advantage of the extra reps with the first-team offense on Tuesday.
Kolar had several catches throughout the afternoon, highlighted by a contested catch down the seam in between two Colts defenders. Colts safety Nick Cross blasted Kolar after he got his hands on the ball, but Kolar held on for a first down.
On another play, the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Kolar got wide-open on a corner route and received a touch pass from Lamar Jackson. Kolar hauled in the pass roughly 20 yards downfield and ran another 40 yards or so down to the goal line.
Here are more notes from Tuesday's practice:
- Another noteworthy standout was rookie outside linebacker Mike Green. During the afternoon's last period, a two-minute drill, Green applied consistent pressure on Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Green believes he had three sacks on three straight plays, but Broderick Washington Jr. also aided with pressure up the middle on one, and linebacker William Kwenkeu came free on a blitz on another. Green showed great bend on the final play and flashed a repertoire of power and speed throughout the day. He also gave a few Colts offensive linemen trouble during one-on-one pass rush/blocking drills. "He was bringing it," Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
- Mark Andrews was a frequent target of Jackson. The veteran tight end brought in a handful of catches throughout practice, including a diving touchdown catch in red-zone seven-on-seven drills.
- The Ravens offense didn't have a strong finish in the two-minute drill to end practice. Jackson was picked off by Colts seventh-round rookie Hunter Wohler on a leaping grab when Jackson tried to throw a pass back across the middle after rolling to his right. With the second-team offense, Cooper Rush fumbled to start the drive then was also picked off by Wohler on a tipped deep pass.
- Running back Keaton Mitchell continued his hot practice play, shooting through a gap to pick up a first down on one 11-on-11 play, and later burning around the edge to rip off another solid gain.
- Wide receiver Anthony Miller made a couple impressive grabs during one-on-one drills against the Colts' defensive backs. Dayton Wade had a nice stutter-go route to break open for a long touchdown.
- All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton did not practice Tuesday. Harbaugh said Hamilton's absence was "one of those camp deals," and the team doesn't want him to miss any more time than he needs to.
- Trenton Simpson closed quickly in pass coverage to corral Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren, holding him to a short gain after making a catch. Defending Warren (14th overall pick) was good work for Simpson, who's trying to earn more reps at inside linebacker next to Roquan Smith.
- Tyer Loop's foot continued to stay hot after going 11-for-11 on field goals in Sunday's stadium practice. The rookie kicker went 6-for-6 on field goals Tuesday, including a 55-yarder that had more than enough distance. Loop is now 57-for-61 (93.4%) on live field goals in training camp.
- The Ravens' best defensive period came during red zone drills. Jaire Alexander did a lot of chirping after he prevented wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from reaching the end zone after making a catch. A short time later, Green and Brent Urban blew up a Colts' inside run that was stopped short of the goal line.
- Baltimore's pass rush was disciplined for the most part, keeping mobile quarterbacks Richardson and Daniel Jones from escaping the pocket. After practice, Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen said Richardson would start Thursday night's preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium.
- Colts running back Jonathan Taylor gained at least seven yards on three runs during the early portion of practice, finding gaps against Baltimore's interior defense. Baltimore's run defense tightened up as practice progressed, particularly in the red zone.
- Nate Wiggins gave up a deep ball to Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who made a nice 180-degree body adjustment to make the catch despite Wiggins' tight coverage.
- Sixth-round pick LaJohntay Wester had a nice punt return up the middle of the field that could've been a touchdown. The Ravens' kickoff coverage unit was gashed for a long return down the sideline, however.
- Generally speaking, the first-team offensive line did a nice job holding up against a stout Colts defensive front led by defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who did get the upper hand on a few pass rushes. Right guard Daniel Faalele had a solid practice.
- Smith came unblocked on a blitz to force Richardson into an incompletion. It was a strong day of practice for the Ravens' Pro Bowl linebacker, who clearly enjoyed practicing against another team.
- Defensive Assistant Chuck Pagano, who was the head coach for six seasons in Indianapolis (2012-17), caught up with several friends who are still part of the Colts' organization before practice.
