HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening statement: "All right. It's good to see everybody. I appreciate you all being here. [It's a] good day. [It's a] little chillier than it's been [in the past], but [it was a] good practice. We're ready to finish up our preparation on a short week for the Thursday night game. We'll have another practice tomorrow, and then we'll be on the plane tomorrow night. What questions do you have?"
I don't think we have any injury questions, which is unusual. How does it feel to have one week pretty darn healthy? (Jamison Hensley) "I think it's our first week all season where we've had all 53 guys out there practicing, so that's nice to see. [We had] plenty of guys. It was a good practice."
I do have an injury question. (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "How's that possible?" (laughter)
Is there any update on DL Broderick Washington Jr.? I think this would have been the first week he would be activated. (Jeff Zrebiec) "[Broderick Washington Jr.] is dealing with a – he's actually having surgery. I don't know what details I can get into on it right now. You kind of came out blue on that one, but we'll have more information for you soon."
Is Broderick Washington Jr.'s surgery season-ending? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I'll have more information on that soon."
Speaking of pick-me-ups, you talked about how QB Lamar Jackson looked good. We have heard guys talk about how he raises energy levels. I'm curious from a coaching standpoint, what does that do to have him back out there? I know you have faith in all of the guys, but specifically when you get him back out there. (Brian Wacker) "Well, of course. It's really true for every player. You really are happy no matter who the player is when they're out there, if they haven't been out there. But it's certainly true for your quarterback. It's certainly true for our quarterback. Lamar [Jackson] is our quarterback, and he's our guy, so having him out there is great. It's exciting, and we're excited for the opportunity on Thursday night to go down there and play."
You mentioned a chance with DE Carl Lawson. I guess we will first see what the elevations will look like. It's been a long time since he played. How has he looked? (Bo Smolka) "Yes, [Carl Lawson] has looked good. We were just talking to him about learning the defense, and he felt like he was picking it up quickly. He kind of appreciated the way it's organized and thought it was something that he could learn well – but that decision hasn't been made quite yet. That's something that we're still talking about."
You kind of talk about belief and staying the course – and obviously, this is nothing new for you, but sometimes for players, seeing is believing. Did you see a change this week, just knowing what happened Sunday with the win and knowing what this week can be with all of that? (Morgan Adsit) "I think everybody kind of understands it. I think everybody's just locked in – I believe everybody's locked in on the game. There hasn't been any conversation about any of that part of it. We created an opportunity this week by winning last week, and really that's what it is – an opportunity this week. We have to go play our best football against a team that did the same thing. [The Dolphins] went up to Atlanta. They played inspired football. They won a football game going away. They've had two great defensive efforts in the last couple of weeks; [they have] given up a low 200 yards. [Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator] Anthony Weaver's done a great job with that defense, obviously. So, they're playing physical football. They've got so much speed, so many weapons on offense [and are] tough to defend. We've just got our hands full for Thursday night, and that's really the only thing that we're focusing on."
Every year there are stats on how challenging Thursday nights are for visiting teams. In your mind, what is the hardest thing about it? (Childs Walker) "Well, I think it's a short week of travel. You're not very far out of the [previous] game – 72 hours or something like that. You're getting on a plane and traveling. That's the biggest challenge."
Is there any advantage coming off of a game doing a lot of things well and with things rolling again? Or is that still... (Brian Wacker) "Well, yes, that's good. We needed that game, but now it's in the past, and we just have to get locked in on the next one."
You are obviously focused on preparing for games. How would you characterize this time of year with trade discussions with general manager Eric DeCosta. Is it, 'Look, tell me if there is something we need to talk about.' ls it a regular check-in, or has that dialogue not really heated up? (Jeff Zrebiec) "No, it's a regular dialogue. It's a regular dialogue. Sure. It's, 'Hey, what have you heard?' 'Did anybody call?' We're right across the hall from each other, so it's pretty regular. [It's] multiple times a day."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On having QB Lamar Jackson back at practice: "It's great having [Lamar Jackson] back. I think 'Coop' [Cooper Rush] and 'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley] both did a great job supplementing our offense while [Lamar] was out, but he's a two-time MVP. Anytime you get somebody back like that, there's going to be a change, so I'm excited for what we look like as a team and our offense in two days [on] Thursday."
On getting ready for two games in five days: "It's definitely a mental test. Obviously, it's [also] a physical test, but you taper down throughout the week. It's a mental test, for sure, more than anything. Just emotionally resetting after a win on Sunday. Win or loss – whatever it may be – flushing that, not really even watching film, coming in and turning [the page] over to the Dolphins. You have to be able to flush out that previous week without really even talking about it and focus on a team who's coming in with some confidence from the Falcons game, and they looked good. So, we have a challenge in front of us, and we have to go win a game."
On the confidence the defense is playing with over the last two games and on being able to force more turnovers: "It feels good to get plays like that. When you don't get turnovers, you forget how impactful those plays are. Especially Nate [Wiggins'] play. I think they were down seven [points] at that time, or something like that. I don't even know. They were down one score, and we had been in that position where our punt team does a good job and backs them up, and I think of the Lions game where they had two long drives. That was a huge play by Nate. He's coming into his own. I'm super excited for him, but yes, we've just got to keep manufacturing those plays. I wish they happened more often, but we have to start really focusing on that going forward."
On playing closer to the line of scrimmage: "You realize how physical the game is when you play down there. I've obviously done it before and have been in this position before, but whatever the team is calling upon me [to do] week to week, position to position – whatever it may be – I'm more than willing to do it. It's not a one-man job. There are other guys down there. Obviously, getting Roquan [Smith] back was big for us and [for] everybody in the back end holding their own. It's good to have some other things that we can throw at the offense."
On if he likes being in positions where he can pressure the quarterback: "Yes, it's fun. [It's] different responsibilities, but also playing within the defense. I feel like we've had the same conversation for the past four years, whether it's, 'Kyle, you move back.' 'Kyle, you move forward.' Whatever it may be, it's probably the same answer if you go pull 2022 clips, but I'm willing to do whatever they need me to do on a game-to-game basis. To answer your question, it is fun doing all that stuff, but it's also fun being back there at safety, just commanding the defense and stuff like that."
On if there is any part of him that relishes the additional responsibility of playing in multiple spots on defense: "Honestly, no. I feel like I'm able to do it, mentally and physically. Thank God I have the ability to be able to do so, but I don't necessarily relish in the fact that I have more responsibilities on my plate. At nickel, obviously, you're [the one] talking, but the safety is also back there making the calls ultimately, so I'm listening to Malaki [Starks] and 'Lo' [Alohi Gilman] back there. It's just same game from a different perspective."
On his impression of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa: "Tua [Tagovailoa] is very, very capable of blowing a game open. He's probably one of the more accurate guys in the league and just [his] timing [is impressive]. He hits his back foot and [the ball] is out. It's where it needs to be. They obviously have guys on that side of the ball that are game breakers. Obviously, they lost Tyreek [Hill], and that sucks for him and for their offense, but they have a multitude of people, whether it's [Jaylen] Waddle, running backs, or they have a couple rookies and younger guys who are showing up and making plays for them. It's a scheme that can cause a lot of problems for defense, so it's up to us to go out there and play a solid game. We're kind of in the same boat as this position. Our records are similar, and we're both fighting for our postseason lives right now, so it's going to be a great game. I'm excited. It's going to be a good environment."
On if he has a sense of renewal after the win on Sunday and if he's approaching each game with the mindset of going 1-0 each week: "Yes, it's kind of a double-edged sword, because you want to [be] forward thinking and go 1-0, but in the grand scheme of things, we're 2-5. I said this in an interview earlier, but if you would've told me in Week 8 we'd be rejoicing about a win to get to 2-5, I'd be like, 'That's B.S. You're lying. It couldn't be possible,' but here we are. So, we have to acknowledge where we're at, but I love the outlook. It puts pressure on us, which I think we will be able to deliver on, but it's still business. We had a good win on Sunday, but I think the quick turnaround is kind of good for us, honestly. [We're] just getting back to it, and obviously getting [No.] 8 [Lamar Jackson] back will be cool, too."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On how excited he is to get back to playing football: "I am extremely excited. I can't wait to touch the grass with my guys; it's been a while."
On how challenging the last few weeks have been having to miss time because of injury: "It was very challenging. When I found out I had a 'hammy' injury, and I was told by the trainers how long I was going to be out, I was like, 'We have to do whatever we can, as fast as we can, to get back out there.' We're here. It took a little time, but we're here."
On how close he was to playing on Sunday against the Bears: "I don't know. I can't call it."
On how the decision to play or not is made when coming back from an injury: "It's my body. Only I know my body, you know? That's it."
On if he thinks he'll be more aware of his body and how he's feeling in this week's game: "No, I don't foresee any of that. I am focused on winning. I am out there; let's play football."
On if he ever lost optimism that the team could turn things around after a 1-5 start: "Not at all. I have a great group of guys on my team [and] the best staff. I feel like we always have a chance to make something happen. And we still do. We showed that on Sunday."
On his thoughts on QB Tyler Huntley's performance against the Bears on Sunday: "I got a thrill out of it. I was hyped. I was ecstatic on the sideline, just to see my guy [Tyler Huntley] go out there and do what he does. I always knew what he was capable of doing; I played against him in high school twice, so it was no-brainer. And then I watched him in college as well, and over the years just watching him play and perform, and he's always played well. I had no doubt we were going to put a win up come Sunday."
On if he thinks it will take a few plays during the game to get back into a rhythm: "No, that's what practice is for. I was practicing with my guys today, and I felt like we had a great day today. We're going to execute tomorrow, and then come Thursday night, we'll just fly."
On how his hamstring is currently feeling: "It feels good. I feel great. Shout out to the training staff."
On if he feels like his hamstring is at 100 percent and when he started to feel confident in coming back to play: "I'm just starting to feel good, so I am ready to go now."
On what it's like to play in Miami, close to his hometown: "It is not about Miami, or me going down there to Florida and playing; it's about any Sunday, any Thursday [or] any Monday – it really doesn't matter. I just want to play football, have fun and get a win; that's all I am focused on. I don't really care about the area. Unless there is a war, like I've said before – I said this in an interview before – unless there is a war, then I don't want to play. But, I doubt there will be any wars over there in Florida, so I am ready to play."
On if there was a communicated timeline of how long he would be out after he hurt his hamstring in Week 4: "They just said a few weeks, and it's been a few weeks. I am back now."
On if he feels 100 percent now: "Yes, I feel great."
On if he remembers the specific play he got hurt on: "No, I can't call it. But that's in the past now. I don't know why you want to keep talking about that. I am focused on Thursday night and what's going on now."
On what it is like going back home to South Florida for a game: "I wouldn't say people come out of the woodwork, but I do get a few ticket requests." (Laughter) "That's about all I can say about that."
On if he feels like the team is set up to go on a run for the rest of the season: "Yes, but I'm not really worried about a run right now, I have to focus on Miami, because you can never overlook your opponent. So, we are going to focus on those guys and try to come out victorious and then move on to next week."
On if every upcoming game feels like a playoff game: "Yes. [Head] Coach [John Harbaugh] pretty much touched on that. [He was] talking about that with us in the team meeting. Each and every game is going to be like a 'Win or go home game.' We started off ... This is the first season ever [that we're] starting off this slow. So, it's do or die right now, each and every week."
On if he still has faith in offensive coordinator Todd Monken: "Yes. We've been winning all these games over the years with him, about three years. To start off slow this season, I feel like everybody plays a part. You can't just put that on one person."
On if he was the person who made the decision to remove the games from the locker room: "Oh, yes. I told [equipment manager] Kenico [Hines], our head equipment guy, I told him to take all the games out – like the ping pong table – and turn off the TVs. If we could have taken the TVs out, they would have been out of there too. I appreciate [owner] Mr. Steve [Bisciotti] for putting [those things] in there for us, but we had to focus. I wouldn't say people don't take the job seriously – don't get me wrong – but I didn't feel like it was time for that. We have a lot of work to do."
On what it would take to get the games back in the locker room: "Keep winning. Keep winning. Keep winning. We're not going to have them for the rest of the year, so, keep winning. We'll probably have them next year in the summertime, for OTAs or something. But right now, that's not the focus."
On if there is anything he learned from watching film over the last few weeks that he hopes to take into the back half of the season: "Just executing. [We need to] execute [on] each and every drive, stay ahead of the sticks and put points on the board. That's all."
On how excited he thinks WR Zay Flowers will be to return to Florida to play a game: "I think he will be popping out of his skin. Me knowing Zay [Flowers], I know he's going to be ecstatic just be back down there in that atmosphere and see his family. I've played against the Dolphins before with Zay, but this is his second time, and it's going to be at home, so I know it's going to be crazy for him."
On when he first became aware of WR Zay Flowers: "I already knew about Zay [Flowers], because I knew his brothers growing up playing football – in youth football. So, I've known about Zay. He [has] always [been] the same way."
On how excited he is to have FB Patrick Ricard back: "I am extremely excited; 'Pancake Pat' [Patrick Ricard]. I know y'all seen that block he had on [No.] 53 [of the Bears]. It's self-explanatory. So, yes, I am just excited about that, extremely excited."
On if it has become easier throughout his career to be patient when returning from an injury: "Yes, absolutely. And then, at the same time, you don't want to rush [back from] a hamstring injury and make it worse, and then now you're out for the whole season. I feel like hamstring injuries can be tricky. This was my first time having one, and I thought I'd be able to move sometimes, and then I would feel a little tug early on when I was rehabbing. I didn't want to end my season or end my career on a hamstring injury."
On if this was his first time having a hamstring injury: "Yes. I've never had a hamstring injury."
On if he was dealing with any other lower body injuries in the Kansas City Chiefs game before he injured his hamstring: "No. I was trying to win. I don't want to just run for no reason with guys popping open, and then I am just running just to run. I'm just playing football. I will handle it on the field. Just keep supporting us."
TE ISAIAH LIKELY
On how it feels to have QB Lamar Jackson back: "I feel like you all can see the excitement [of] everybody around. You all are excited to see [Lamar Jackson] out there, so I can only imagine what you all think we think."
On if the mantra of "staying the course" feels bigger this week heading into Thursday night after Sunday's win: "For sure. The mantra coming out of the bye [week] was like, 'New season. New us.' It's really just preaching, wiping the slate clean, whatever happened in the past – let it stay in the past, and let's try to focus on [going] 1-0 every week from this point on."
On how QB Lamar Jackson has looked so far in practice: "He looks like Lamar [Jackson]."
On the key to get ready for a short week before Thursday Night Football: "[It's] really just going back to the fundamentals [and] understanding that the little details are going to be big for us this week. So, really just understand everything we've had [up] to this point in a short week. On both sides of the ball, it's not going to be crazy formations [or] crazy things drawn up, so it's just doing the little things to an extreme level and trying to turn three [points] into seven every time."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On playing two games in five days: "It's what the schedule says, so it's more so about just coming out and doing your job. It's a game that we're going to be very prepared for and excited about, as well."
On if it's starting to feel like things could be changing for the team: "We know what things are, and it's about just more so taking everything one game at a time, not getting ahead of anything at all and just knowing that last week is last week. We're not really worried about that. It's a totally new week, and it's about going 1-0 this week, and it's the Dolphins on the schedule. We know it's a really good team, and it's more so about going down there and doing what we do."
On if he's felt a vibe shift in the locker room since the bye week: "For sure. I said this last week or so, that I feel like we're all rejuvenated [and] had a little time away, so it was very beneficial for everyone [to get] more healthy. We all know who we are and who we need to be, play in and play out and game in and game out. Last week is last week. It's a totally new week and a good team in Miami, so [I'm] excited about the opportunity."
On having QB Lamar Jackson back out at practice: "It's very exciting having Lamar [Jackson]. Obviously, his name, and his resume speaks for itself. When you have someone like that, it says what it says, and we're a lot better of a team when he's out there on the field, so [I'm] excited to have him back."
On the key to being ready to play at the highest level for the Thursday night road game with a short week of preparation: "The biggest challenge is it's [about] each and every individual, and I think that starts with your mental process. How are you going to process things mentally? It's an attitude. It's an attitude from the day that you finish the game on Sunday all the way up until Thursday. Yes, some people are going to be more hurt than others, but everyone is feeling something, so it's about coming out, being the most physical team and also imposing who you are as an individual. Each and every individual is unique in their own way, so I think it's just about being yourself and not taking the easy way out."
On if he likes having S Kyle Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage: "Yes. Whichever way, that's not my call at all, but I do enjoy Kyle [Hamilton] being around the ball. He's a ball-seeking missile in a sense, so I enjoy when he's around the ball. [He has] great communication. He's a really good player, very talented. Obviously, he can do a lot of different things, so yes, [we're] excited when he's down there, but he can play all over the field as we all know."
On if he feels like the team is in playoff mode and has to play nearly perfect because of their record: "You don't have to play perfect, but I think at the end of the day, it's about playing to the best of your ability. If we all do that, play in and play out, then that's going to be more than enough. That's what it's about, [treating] each and every game as a playoff [game], and you should treat every game like that, regardless of if it's the beginning of the season or not, because you're going into each and every game playing to win. But obviously, we all know the position that we are in, but it's also about just sticking to one week at a time. That's what it's about this week, [going] 1-0 versus Miami."
