For better or worse, the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders won’t get a chance to rumble on the practice field again before their preseason showdown.
The two DVM neighbors were scheduled to work out together ahead of their preseason game, but instead of the joint practice, the teams released joint statements to announce the cancellation of the session, set to be held at the Commanders’ facility in the final week of the preseason.
Why Ravens, Commanders Decided to Cancel Joint Practice
Both teams, particularly the Ravens, have dealt with mounting injury issues, and the joint practice would have been further complicated by the fact that the Commanders weren’t scheduled to play their second preseason game until two days after Baltimore’s second tilt against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Ravens released this statement:
“Recognizing the logistical challenges — with out teams’ previous games scheduled on different days — and the added strain on players heading into a short week, the Ravens and Commanders mutually agreed to no longer hold a joint practice next week. Instead, we will concentrate on preparing for our upcoming preseason matchup.”
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn revealed he spoke with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, and the two decided it was in the best interest for all involved to focus on other things in the leadup to that game, like just staying healthy above all else.
“Every once in a while it doesn’t sync up. Yeah, we’re bummed,” Quinn told reporters.
An added bonus to the decision to cancel the joint session is that it ensures there’s not a repeat of the 2023 fracas that broke out between the two with punches thrown.
How Cancellation Could Affect Ravens
Joint practices have become increasingly important to teams across the NFL. In a lot of ways, joint practices have become more important than the actual preseason games. It’s easier to protect players because you can control the situations, and teams can pick and choose the scenarios in which they use their starters. For example, it’s a lot easier to work through your red-zone offense or two-minute drill in a controlled setting like that than hoping it shakes out the way you want or need it to during the preseason game.
It feels like the Ravens are among the teams who could benefit the most from those sessions, too. Harbaugh’s starters don’t play much if it all in the preseason. Lamar Jackson hasn’t played a preseason game in years, and it was against the Commanders two years ago that running back J.K. Dobbins tore his ACL in their preseason game. Harbaugh recently speak glowingly of joint practices, saying he believed his starters got about 60% of the reps in drills with the Indianapolis Colts.
Ultimately, Harbaugh and the Ravens’ coaching staff might look for some sort of balance. Baltimore has been a bit of a slow starter in recent seasons. The Ravens lost their first two games last season and have lost their regular-season opener twice in the last four years, including 2022 when they opened the season 3-3 on their way to a 10-7 showing.
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