[Baltimore Sun] Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton optimistic after he ‘fell behind the 8 ball’ with injuries
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said he’s “feeling good” after a back injury sidelined him earlier this week. It’s the kind of minor, nagging pain that comes around each year.
“Everybody deals with stuff throughout the season, mine just started a little early this year,” said Hamilton, now in his third season. “It’s been kind of annoying a little bit, even starting in the spring with the elbow. I kind of fell behind the 8 ball a little bit.”
The 2023 All-Pro selection arrived at camp recovering from elbow surgery to pluck out loose bodies. Then, he missed Wednesday’s practice when his back flared up after Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Hamilton was limited in his return Thursday but a full participant Friday.
The 2022 first-round draft pick has nine tackles through two games but is still searching for his first sack and first takeaway of the season and has not graded nearly as well as last year. There have been “extra meetings” this week, he said, for the Ravens to correct their two weeks of defensive missteps. The next chance comes Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, as Baltimore looks to avoid an 0-3 start.
“I don’t think it’s time to pull the fire alarm yet,” Hamilton said. “I think we have a chance to go silence a lot of people on Sunday. I’m hoping we can do that.”
The Ravens had their most crowded injury report of the season earlier this week, but it’s since leveled out.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (eye/groin) were both back to full participation by Thursday.
Outside linebacker David Ojabo (quad), wide receiver and return specialist Deonte Harty (calf) and rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Ojabo and Harty were both limited Thursday but full participants Friday.
Wiggins, who had missed time with a concussion and neck injury after he was involved in a car accident, practiced in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday, wearing a red noncontact jersey while still in the league’s five-step concussion protocol.
Related Articles
Ravens offensive line could look different vs. Cowboys: ‘It’s still a competition’
Ravens RB Justice Hill signs 2-year contract extension: ‘No place I would rather be’
Ravens’ defense needs more production from its trio of stars | ANALYSIS
Ravens Week 3 betting guide: Baltimore poised for bounce-back win
The Ravens have struggled against elite pass rushers. Here comes Micah Parsons.
“[Wiggins] was full-go in terms of moving around and everything,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I thought he looked great, so it’s up to the doctors and the protocol, etc., and we’ll see how that shakes out.”
Backup guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, who missed practice this week for personal reasons, is out. Rookie outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, who was a full participant this week as he recovers from a hamstring injury, could make his regular-season debut.
As for the Cowboys (1-1), coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Friday that defensive tackle Mazi Smith is “full steam ahead” to play Sunday. Smith, a 2023 first-round pick, was unable to practice for much of this week after his back tightened up. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday, but McCarthy said he took “a big step forward,” which would be a significant return for a struggling interior defensive line.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle), cornerback Trevon Diggs (foot), tight end Jake Ferguson (knee), safety Malik Hooker (shoulder) were all full participants in Friday’s practice. Reserve wide receiver Jalen Brooks (ankle) and tight end John Stephens (hamstring) are questionable.