The Baltimore Ravens completed their two-day joint-practice work with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday at the TCO Performance Center. The final session placed a heavy emphasis on red-zone and situational football, giving Baltimore’s starters another valuable evaluation before Saturday’s preseason game.
The Ravens defense delivered another strong performance, while the offense continued to struggle to protect Lamar Jackson and sustain drives. Baltimore also received difficult news about center Danny Pinter before practice began.
Here are 10 takeaways from Day 2 of Ravens-Vikings joint practices.
1. Danny Pinter’s injury changes the center competition
Pinter suffered a torn patellar tendon during Wednesday’s opening practice and will face an extended recovery. The veteran had worked with the starting
offensive line for much of camp and was a legitimate candidate to replace Tyler Linderbaum.
Ethan Pocic was already scheduled to increase his workload during the second week of the preseason. Pinter’s injury now makes Pocic the most likely starting option, although Jovaughn Gwyn has also earned first-team opportunities. Baltimore’s center competition went from a three-player evaluation to an immediate depth concern.
2. Baltimore’s secondary won the week
The Ravens defensive backs consistently challenged Minnesota’s receivers throughout both practices. Chidobe Awuzie, Marlon Humphrey, Malaki Starks, Kyle Hamilton and Chandler Rivers all recorded strong pass breakups during Thursday’s red-zone periods.
Minnesota produced some touchdowns, including scores against Hamilton and Keyon Martin, and Awuzie was called for pass interference during an 11-on-11 period. The overall body of work, however, belonged to Baltimore’s secondary.
3. Marlon Humphrey was one of Baltimore’s top performers
Humphrey put together two impressive practices against one of the NFL’s best receiving groups. He denied Justin Jefferson during red-zone work, stayed in position during 11-on-11 drills and repeatedly prevented clean throwing windows.
Humphrey and Nate Wiggins stopped Jefferson on consecutive red-zone snaps Thursday. Humphrey later cut off another end-zone route so completely that Jefferson never attempted to make a catch. It was an encouraging response from a veteran coming off an injury interruption earlier in camp.
4. Chandler Rivers strengthened Baltimore’s cornerback depth
Rivers produced multiple pass breakups during one-on-one and two-on-two red-zone drills, continuing a productive summer for one of Baltimore’s younger defensive backs.
The Ravens already have established starters and have made significant draft investments throughout the secondary. Rivers continues making the competition behind those players more interesting by showing he can stay attached in coverage and finish plays at the catch point.
5. Trey Hendrickson looked ready for the regular season
Reporters credited Hendrickson with two or three would-be sacks while he worked against Christian Darrisaw, one of the league’s better offensive tackles. Practice rules prevented defenders from finishing their rushes against the quarterback, but Hendrickson repeatedly reached positions that would have ended plays in a game.
Baltimore signed Hendrickson to add a proven finisher opposite its collection of younger edge rushers. His performance against high-level competition demonstrated the immediate impact he can provide.
6. Ronnie Stanley had a difficult matchup with Dallas Turner
Minnesota’s pressure created problems for Baltimore’s offense throughout both practices. Turner was particularly disruptive Thursday, producing at least two would-be sacks while repeatedly winning against Stanley.
Stanley remains one of Baltimore’s most accomplished linemen, but the two-day matchup provided useful film against an explosive young pass rusher. The Ravens must improve their protection before the regular season, especially after losing Pinter from the middle of the line.
7. Lamar Jackson’s red-zone work produced mixed results
Jackson completed three of four attempts during his first seven-on-seven red-zone series, connecting with Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers. Flowers scored after winning a competitive matchup with Byron Murphy Jr.
Jackson’s first interception was not his fault. A pass bounced off Justice Hill’s chest and into Blake Cashman’s hands. The second came when James Pierre intercepted Jackson to end Baltimore’s two-minute possession. The offense produced touchdowns in isolated periods, but pressure and turnovers prevented it from establishing consistent rhythm.
8. Ja’Kobi Lane delivered another memorable touchdown
Lane caught a well-placed pass from Jackson in the back of the end zone during 11-on-11 work. The rookie punctuated the play with an emphatic spike and a yell, displaying the confidence that has accompanied his rise throughout camp.
Lane continues to make contested catches and provide Jackson with a larger target near the goal line. His growing involvement with the starting quarterback suggests the Ravens are evaluating how quickly he can earn a role behind Flowers and Bateman.
9. Baltimore’s defense responded in situational work
K’Von Wallace intercepted a short pass intended for Myles Price along the sideline. Wiggins added breakups against Jefferson and Dontae Fleming, while T.J. Tampa made a sound open-field tackle on a swing pass.
The starting defense also held Minnesota to a field goal in the final two minutes. The Vikings finished Wednesday with consecutive touchdowns, making Thursday’s situational response one of the more encouraging developments of the session.
10. Tyler Loop remained perfect
Loop converted all six of his field-goal attempts during the team period that ended practice. His final series included a kick from approximately 53 yards.
Loop’s consistency has carried throughout training camp. On a day when the offense struggled to finish drives, he demonstrated that Baltimore can still come away with points when possessions stall.
The Ravens will remain in Minnesota for Saturday’s preseason game. With many established starters receiving their most important work during the joint practices, the exhibition matchup should shift attention toward reserves and players competing for the final spots on Baltimore’s roster.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 10 takeaways from Day 2 of Ravens-Vikings joint practice
