HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening statement: "[It's] good seeing everybody. I appreciate everybody being here. It's a good day. It's a beautiful day. [It was a] good practice – spirited [and] sharp. So, [we are] getting ready for Sunday. What questions do you have?"
How good was it to see QB Lamar Jackson back out on the practice field? (Jamison Hensley) "It was good. It was good. I was happy with all the guys, seeing everybody out there. We had a lot of guys out there, so that was great."
QB Lamar Jackson was kind of dramatic though. He was like the last one to come out. Everyone was there with bated breath. (*Jerry Coleman)* "Oh, really? Should I repeat the way he asked the question? Bated breath. What is bated breath? [Reporter: Let's go to your dad for that.] I never understood that term."
Just knowing what QB Lamar Jackson means to the team, does the energy level change from the guys when they see him? (Morgan Adsit) "I think the energy level changes – I mean, heck yes. Lamar [Jackson] – he's our quarterback; he's a great guy. But also, all the guys have been out there [with] where we're at and what we're trying to accomplish and all those things. Our guys respond with great energy, and that's something I feel great about [with] this team in that sense. I feel we're that way in the meeting rooms. Guys are that way in the weight room. Guys are that way on the practice field, so that's what we expect from our guys, and that's what I appreciate about them."
With QB Lamar Jackson being out there, what do you consider his chances of playing? (Jamison Hensley) "It's hard to put a number on it. I think it's just part of the process right now. I really don't have any shareable, injury intelligence for you guys at this point [on Lamar Jackson]. I thought you guys would like that one. It's the first time ... It's a new one."
Is QB Lamar Jackson somebody who I imagine doesn't need a lot of reps out there ... (Brian Wacker) "Yes, I would agree with that. I would agree with that."
Does the quick turnaround on Sunday to Thursday complicate what you might do with QB Lamar Jackson? (Jonas Shaffer) "I don't think we're thinking about it that way. We're focused and locked in on Sunday's game, and that's it right now."
How important is it to have FB Patrick Ricard back along with RB Derrick Henry in your scheme? (David Andrade) "If 'Pat' [Patrick Ricard] is back out there, and he practiced today, then that's a big plus for us. So, it's important. I'm just excited for the opportunity for the game, really. All of those things you guys are talking about are all part of it. It's all, 'Who? What?' We will just have to see how that plays out. You just don't know. But we're preparing with the guys who are practicing, then we'll see how we get through the week, and we'll get to the game, and we'll play with the guys who can play, just like we have been doing. We're looking forward to it, and we just want to play our best football. We want to execute. We want to be physical. We want to be sharp. We want to be good. We're playing a very good team, and we're looking forward to that. It's an important game for us."
If QB Lamar Jackson can't go, will QB Cooper Rush start? (Cordell Woodland) "Yes, like I said, I don't think I want to get into all that. [There's] really no value for me to be making too many comments on that. So, it's better that – we don't need to put the information out there, really."
With QB Lamar Jackson, is that something that you are watching for...? (Alex Glaze) "No, like I said, there's no shareable, injury information available at this time."
What did you see from QB Tyler Huntley? I know he came off bench at the Rams game and got some reps in there. What'd you see that stood out to you? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, I thought Tyler Huntley played well. I thought he played well. He practiced well. He looks good."
For a matter of clarity, there was this report out that the coaches had all these games and extracurriculars removed from the locker room. Can you put out any clarification? Was that the players or the coaches? (Jerry Coleman) "I would say that the report was inaccurate and false. The stuff was taken out of the locker room. I was informed of it after it was gone by the equipment guy, and that the players, the veteran players, a couple of veteran players got together and decided they wanted to take that stuff out. So, my pinball machine that I gifted the guys two years ago at Christmas, I don't know where it's at right now. I don't know where it's at. It's in the storage room somewhere, I guess. I'll take it home. I'll take it back home. I like pinball."
If we find it, can we keep it? (*Jerry Coleman)* "You want it in the media room? Maybe it's in the media room right now! It's not? OK, OK." (laughter) "That's why you're really asking? I see. I see now."
I know you answered the question about the short turnaround, but does your preparation at all with the short turnaround week change strictly based on how this season's going? Is there a greater sense of urgency at 1-5 preparing for this week than it would be a typical short turnaround? (Bo Smolka) "I would say no, because the sense of urgency is always great. Now, how you feel inside about things, your inner wellbeing is a little different. It's tough. It's not fun being 1-5 and that's true. So, you walk around carrying that every single day. That's part of the deal. But you have got to be strong. You have to have broad shoulders and deal with it. So, we're just trying – but the sense of urgency for the game [changing because of the record]? I don't believe so because the sense of urgency for the game is always at the highest level it could be. I've always seen that of our guys. I always believe that about our guys."
You mentioned it was a spirited practice. Do you think that was because QB Lamar Jackson was back on the field, or did you just feel a sense of energy from everyone involved? (Josh Tolentino) "The latter. Yes, definitely the latter. It's been that way. We've had spirited practices throughout [the season], so I'm not saying anything's changed, but having a lot of the guys back is definitely a plus."
Do you anticipate putting OLB Tavius Robinson on injured reserve or is there a reason you haven't? (Bo Smolka) "We have today. So, Tavius Robinson was put on injured reserve or will be, and then Emery [Jones Jr.] will be brought up to the active [roster]."
You had said clearly – it's not an injury question related to Sunday – but you had said clearly that it's up to DL Nnamdi Madubuike to talk about his status. We haven't been able to talk to him. Has there been any discussion about a surgery for him or did he have a surgery? (Jeff Zrebiec) "No, [Nnamdi Madubuike] hasn't had a surgery. I guess I can say that, but it's one of those deals that just – I would like to share more, and I'm sure we will be able to at some point. Maybe the club could figure out some way to express it. But just with HIPAA and things like that, I can't share somebody else's information right now. So, it's just all I can do. It's all I can say. I can see why everybody would want to know more, and I'm sure you will at some point, but it's not really for me to say. It's absolutely not for me to say."
We didn't see CB Marlon Humphrey out there after he practiced on Monday. Anything you can share? (Jonas Shaffer) "[Marlon Humphrey is] sick/ill. I got a call at 4:18 a.m. this morning, and he was not doing well. I don't think he's doing too much better right now. So, he's sick. We didn't want him here being that sick."
You were up at 4:18 a.m. this morning? (Jerry Coleman) "I was."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On the 1-5 start and the mindset of the team after the bye week: "I think you can't ignore the past, but we're forward-thinking at this point, we kind of have to be. Every game for us is a playoff game; that's how it feels and how it's going to have to be from here on out. We dug ourselves into a deep hole, but in order to get in the dance, we got to really be locked in from here on out, so we're trying to do that."
On if the team has figured out exactly what it will take to get to the postseason: "Not exactly – speaking from a defensive perspective – I think we had our first decent game against the Rams last week. I still think we could have played a lot better. We're getting healthier as a team, but as a defense going forward, I think we just have to attack more and be physical and just be aggressive. [We need to] just go make plays on the ball."
On the addition of S Alohi Gilman and if it allows him to move around the defense more: "I think 'Lo' [Alohi Gilman] is a great guy. He was a senior at Notre Dame when I was a freshman. So, freshman year, he was my roommate at camp, talking me off the ledge [and] all that stuff. [He is a] great guy, and it's good to be playing with him again. As a football player, he's great. He's been in the league – this is his sixth year, and he's done great over there in L.A., and I'm glad we got him. But as a defense, I think that does allow me to kind of move around and do some different things. That's not just me, that's everybody. We have a different duality that we can throw at teams. We have our fast ball, but we kind of have some off-speed pitches, too."
On the improvements made by the defense in the Rams game: "It is kind of a backs-against-the-wall mindset. I've never seen a boxer get out of the corner by not swinging or throwing any punches. It's kind of that mindset that we should have brought into the season, which I feel like we kind of had in the Rams game. In the Browns game, I thought we played well, too. But, like I said, [we are] forward thinking. I am not really too worried about those games. We have a lot to prove going forward. So, we have to do it again, and do it better."
On how QB Lamar Jackson looked in his return to practice: "Actually, no. I'm on the complete other field. I'm sure [Lamar Jackson] looked good."
On if he feels like the team plays better when he is playing closer to the line of scrimmage: "I don't necessarily feel that way. I think this team is better when we're playing physical and playing fast. The personnel stuff is the personnel stuff. I think we could line up in base for the whole game and get a shutout if we needed to, we just have to play the right way. Obviously, you need to throw different stuff in there to give the offense different looks, but I don't think it's an individual thing, as much as it's just a team defense and a team thing as a whole for us to go out there and get stops and get a win."
On the veteran players' decision to remove games from the locker room and if that can help the team's mindset: "I don't know; it wasn't my decision. I didn't even realize they were gone, to be honest. But I guess it's kind of a big thing now [that's being talked about], but I wasn't really in tune with the whole thing going on. I don't think it's that big deal of whether [the decision came from] players [or] coaches, [or if things are] in the locker room or not in the locker room. I don't know if that's really affecting us on the field that much, but if we felt like we needed to do that as a team, then I'm all for it."
On ILB Roquan Smith returning to practice and the impact he makes: "Anytime you get somebody like that, like Roquan [Smith] back on the field, I think it ... It kind of reminds me of the 2022 season, it was my rookie year, and we traded for 'Ro' [Roquan Smith], and he provided a spark then, and hopefully we can get this thing turned around [now]. I think getting him back is a big first step [in] doing that."
On Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams: "[Caleb Williams] is super talented. [He was the] No. 1 [draft] pick [in 2023] for a reason. He can make all the throws on the field. He is probably one of the best – outside of Lamar [Jackson] – at keeping a play alive and creating stuff on the move and [making] off-schedule plays. I think their offense, as a whole, is very talented, top the bottom. I know they kind of revamped the O-line a little bit, so they're blocking well and have some young receivers and tight ends who are really good; [D'Andre] Swift and everybody back there has run the ball really well. So, it's a challenge. They're rolling, too, so props to them. I think they started 0-2, and have won four straight, if I'm not wrong. And so, it's up to us to go out there on Sunday and put out the fire and light our fire."
On the momentum they have going into the back half of the season and the lift getting players back from injury brings: "I mean, obviously, the season up to this point is not where we wanted to be [or where] anybody who follows the Ravens or supports the Ravens wants it to be, but I can honestly say [that] I don't think morale is super low. I think we're just, more so, ready and eager to turn things around. Obviously, getting players back is a great thing. Getting those kind of guys [like Roquan Smith and Lamar Jackson] back is awesome, but I don't think there has been any drop in practice or drop in talk around the building; and I think that's a great thing. It's something that can't go unspoken for, because I feel like getting into this position – and we haven't really been in this position [before] – it's easy to kind of put your head down and mail it in, but we still feel like we're talented enough to make the playoffs [and] make some magic when we do. So, it's up to us to take it [one] week at a time and not get too worried about next week, next Thursday [or] whatever it may be. [We need to] just focus on the Bears this Sunday."
On if he saw something different about the way the defense played against the Rams that gives him more confidence for Sunday's game: "Not one thing in particular; actually, maybe one thing in particular – guys just not caring if you mess up. It sounds kind of crazy saying that, but as a football player, especially as a defender, there has to be some sort of chaotic style of play that you have. I think everybody on our defense has that in them, it's just a matter of letting it loose. Who cares if they catch a ball on me, get it down, tackle it and play another play. Blitz hard, tackle hard, just play hard and have fun. I think it's kind of something that gets lost a little bit when you're losing games. Obviously, you want to win games [because] it makes it more fun [and] solves a lot of problems, but you have to learn just go out there and have fun, play to play and attack everything like it's your last."
On if the messaging of not worrying about making mistakes and having fun to rookies in bigger roles has to be verbalized: "No, for sure. I think – and I've said that before games, and I don't want it to sound like it's like little league football, like, 'Just go have fun, and it doesn't matter if you win or lose.' Obviously, we want to win the game, but it almost is that in a sense, it's like, 'This is the same game you've been playing since you were five years old, whatever it may be, whoever it may be, just go attack and just go hit somebody.' It just comes down to running and hitting. So, you just have to run and hit better than the other team."
On if he's had to offer counsel to S Malaki Starks about his own rookie year and some ups and downs he went through: "I mean, everybody's situation is different. I think [Malaki Starks] has done a great job for what we've asked him to do. Obviously, with 'A.D.' [Ar'Darius Washington] getting hurt – and I'm not a coach. I don't know who's going to play how much, but I assume that Malaki has been playing more because of that. He's kind of been thrown to the fire on a team that has been through it the past couple years and a defense that has high expectations. So, I think he's done a great job, just given the scenario of what he's been asked to do. I don't think he's lost that spark at all or anything. Just through this 1-5 stretch that we've been on, [he's] been a complete pro the whole time. [He] understands what he's doing wrong and understands what he's doing right. I think the whole room does a good job of shining a light on both of those sides. He's made some great plays that may go unnoticed to the naked eye, but he also has some stuff to learn, too. I think he's such a pro in the sense that he wants to get that stuff fixed. Not by any means has he been a bad player. I think he's been great for us so far. He's played dang near every snap of every game. So, props to him, and I'm just glad that he's getting this experience."
On how he thinks the team still responds to the coaching staff: "I think well. At this point in the season, it's not like you're about to just – it's going to be anarchy around here or anything like that. This is the time where you have to stick together. We always talk about [going] through the highs and lows, and [we] haven't had too many lows, besides just the playoffs and stuff like that. We've had, obviously, some games not go our way, but we've had great seasons since I've been here, and [we] haven't had a season like this. So, now it's really testing ourselves, and we talk about [going] through the highs and lows, we're brothers and all this stuff – and that goes to the coaching staff, too. As a group, staff, players, whoever's involved, we need to get this thing turned around because it is inexcusable, but everybody can say what they want about our schedule being tough or this and that or whatever, but at a certain point, we're going to have to beat these teams anyway in the playoffs, whatever it may be. So, I don't really like that excuse. I think we should go out and win every game that we play. For it to be a scheduling thing or the schedule quote unquote 'lightens up' later after season; I don't really like that perspective at all because everybody in this league is good. We've lost games to teams we weren't 'supposed to lose games to' quote unquote. So, it's up to us every week to be pros about it and understand that, look, we're 1-5, people are coming here thinking we're 'slim pickings' right now and just a free win. So, we're going to give everybody's best shot. It's up to us to kill that narrative and get it turned around."
WR DeANDRE HOPKINS
On the boost of having QB Lamar Jackson back out at practice today: "It feels good having [Lamar Jackson] out there. Obviously, his presence means a lot to this team before I got here. It's going to mean lot for this team and organization as long as he's on the field."
On their big-picture approach and focus moving into the second half of the season: "I think now, for us, every down and every play means a lot. It's not playoff football yet, but for us, it's kind of a situation where everything is [heightened] a little. We've got to go out and play our best ball going forward. I think everyone knows that."
On if it can be a good thing for a team to feel the heightened importance of every play: "Yes, I think that's a good thing. We have a lot of young guys on this team who probably always won in college and now they're in a situation where it is not ideal, but it teaches you a lot about yourself. My first year in the NFL, I went 2-14, and I learned a lot about who I am as a competitor and who I am as a person off the field and just things I can do to be better. Obviously, any player hates to be in a situation like this, but there are lessons in everything."
On if the team has talked about what it's going to take to make the playoffs and how many wins they might need: "I don't really know how many wins we would need, to answer your question. It is too early in the season. We just have to go out and play our best against Chicago."
On what QB Tyler Huntley brings to the offense: "I think [Tyler] Huntley brings a lot to his offense. He's been here before. I remember watching the Ravens when he was here. He kept those guys in games, and he has won games, as well. So, he's a veteran quarterback, and he knows this team. He knows the players in his locker room. It's good to have him out there."
On QB Lamar Jackson's message to the team out at practice: "I only speak for DeAndre. I can't speak for Lamar Jackson, man. I wish I could, but you've got to ask him."
On how he tries to make time to teach and share knowledge with the younger guys on the team: "I try to take my time to speak to everyone, not just the young guys, but anyone who I can [speak to]. And my message to them is, 'Just go out and do your job. You can't control what goes on around you, but you can just try to be the best at what you do and what you're asked to do and be detailed,' because [during] times like this, it's the little details that win and lose games."
T EMERY JONES JR.
On his journey recovering from injury and getting back to full health and the challenges that came with it: "It's been hard, man. It's been hard watching the guys practice. I've just [been] coming in here and lifting, keeping my head down, doing my treatment, doing everything I need to do to get back on the field. Now we're finally here after a long six [or] seven months, so I'm just doing everything I can to get on the field and help the organization out."
On how far along he feels he is in his recovery: "Yes, I feel good. My shoulder is feeling well. It's holding up well outside, so I'm just going to keep attacking. It's in my rear view now, so I'm going to put it behind me and focus on [playing] ball."
On if he feels like he would be mentally ready to go: "Yes. Mentally, I've just been trying to attack it, even though I couldn't practice. I've just been trying to attack everything I've been doing, so the mental side of ball, I've been attacking, and now I'm just kind of getting [back to] practicing, putting everything together and getting up to speed."
On the most challenging part of his recovery process: "Honestly, just watching the guys go out and practice [while] I had to go lift. Honestly, that was one of the hardest parts because [of] how much I love playing football. So now I'm finally here. [I'm] finally able to practice and stuff like that, so now I'm loving it [and am] having fun."
On his takeaways from his first few practices at the NFL level: "Yes, I just feel like I can compete on this level. I feel like that was a big question for me, personally, just because I was kind of sitting out for those six months. So, I got out there, and I showed myself I can play out there on that level, so I feel good."
On the amount of lifting and training he was able to do: "Oh, yes. I got in there with [strength and conditioning coach] Ron Shrift. [He's] my guy now, so we're really close. It's been fun, man. I've just been trying to go as hard as I can, so that when I'm on the field, it's easy."
On how hard it has been to watch the team get off to a slow start while he couldn't play: "It's pretty hard, man, but that's behind us now. We got through the bye week, and we're trying to tighten up and fine tune everything that we got. So, we're going to be out after this bye week, and we're going to be attacking everybody."
On how he views his position: "Honestly, man, [I'll play] whatever [position] they need me to play, and whatever [position is] going to get me on the field. [It's the] same kind of mentality I had at LSU. Whatever spot opens up for me, I'm going to attack the opportunity."
On if he moved positions on the offensive line during his time at LSU: "I practiced [at different positions]. I played guard [and] tackle at LSU. I went on the left side a couple of times and practiced there, so that's something that I'm able to do. So, I'm comfortable doing it and, like I said, wherever they need me, I'm going to go [there]."
On if he has a sense of when he will be back on the field for a game: "Yes, I talked to my doctor. Yesterday, we had a big conference call, and he pretty much cleared me yesterday. So, next week, I should be able to go if Coach [John] Harbaugh thinks that I'm ready, and they give me the opportunity, and I'm going to be in it."
On how good it feels to be able to play soon after waiting to get to the NFL and then having to wait through an injury: "It's been good. God is amazing. I have full trust in him through the whole process. My mom just kind of talked to me and told me, 'He didn't bring you this far to bring you this far.' Now, I'm finally here, and I'm finally able to play ball, so now I'm just kind of having fun with it, loving it and getting back where I can help the team."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
On having QB Lamar Jackson back at practice today: "It was good, yes. Obviously, [Lamar Jackson] was missed, and he'll continue to get better and better. We'll be happy to have him out on the field whenever that is."
On if QB Lamar Jackson being at practices boosts the energy: "We're always ecstatic and having fun in practice. Anytime we come out here and get better, it's a good day."
On the biggest learning points from the Rams game and not scoring a touchdown during the goal-to-go situation: "We just have to find a way to get the ball in the end zone. That's the story of football. When you get down to the red zone, get down to the low red [zone], you have to find a way to get the ball in there."
On what the bye week did for him: "The bye week was great, a good reset, good opportunity to get guys healthy and a good opportunity to make a run and go 12-5."
On if he feels that this game is a win-or-go home game: "Any NFL game is important, but the position we put ourselves in makes it even more important. Guys are just as intentional as they were [in] Week 1 to now. That's the kind of players we have in this group, and we're continuing to get better and better each and every week in practice and getting ready for great Bears team coming into 'The Bank' [M&T Bank Stadium]."
On if it bothers him that there is so much media attention on veteran player leadership: "We have great leadership in the locker room, a lot of veteran players, a lot of guys that have played a lot of good football and a lot of guys that hold each other accountable, so I don't really see an issue in veteran leadership at all. Guys are happy and excited to still come in here and practice at a high level and perform at a high level. We just have to keep getting better and better and try to find ways to win football games."
On if he feels that the team still responds to head coach John Harbaugh the same way they have in the past: "Absolutely. [Head coach John Harbaugh] is one of the best coaches in the league for a reason. He's been doing it for a long time. At the end of the day, it's our responsibility as players to go out there and play as hard as we can, no matter what the situation is."
On what he's seen from rookie T Emery Jones Jr.: "Emery [Jones Jr.] has been working hard to get back. Obviously, ever since his injury from college, [he's a] guy who obviously hasn't had many opportunities at the NFL level – [between] missing OTAs and [training] camp – so it's been good to see him out and getting practice reps."
On why the performance and the energy in practice hasn't translated to games: "[That's a] good question. I think there are a lot of things that go into that. At the end of the day, it's a player-driven league, and we have to play at a higher level. No matter who's out there, we have to play at a high level. I really don't think we're too far off. It's just little things that I think are beating us. It's time to get a win."
On what QB Tyler Huntley adds to the team when he gets in the game: "All the quarterbacks we have, we have the utmost trust in them. No matter who's in the game, we have to play at a high level. Everyone around them has to play at a high level. They all do a great job of running our offense at an extremely high level, and I think guys respond well to whoever's in the game."
