Baltimore Ravens joint practice with the Washington Commanders gave starters one final high-intensity test before the regular season. Baltimore hosted Washington in Owings Mills before Friday’s preseason finale, as Baltimore Chronicle reports. The session was first reported by WMAR-2 News. The Baltimore Ravens confirm Friday’s game at M&T Bank Stadium.
Lamar Jackson sees value in outside competition
Lamar Jackson said facing another NFL team creates challenges regular Ravens practices cannot fully reproduce.
Baltimore players already know their teammates’ schemes and tendencies. Washington offered less predictable looks and a more realistic test.
Jackson believes unfamiliar competition forces the offense to react more naturally.
The quarterback said Baltimore often plays at a higher level against opponents who do not know its system.
Jesse Minter gets a game-like evaluation
Head coach Jesse Minter described the session as another step toward regular-season intensity.
The joint practice allowed Baltimore to work on several areas:
- different offensive and defensive situations;
- preparation against unfamiliar schemes;
- competitive repetitions for projected starters;
- roster evaluation before final cuts.
Those repetitions carry extra weight because most Ravens starters are unlikely to receive significant preseason game action.
Tight end Mark Andrews called the practice valuable for players expected to sit during preseason games.
Ravens vs. Commanders closes the preseason
The final preparations now move quickly.
| Date | Ravens schedule |
|---|---|
| August 26 | Joint practice with Washington |
| August 27 | Closed walkthrough |
| August 28 | Ravens vs. Commanders preseason finale |
| August 30 | Active roster reduced to 53 players |
Friday’s Ravens vs. Commanders game is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore enters the matchup at 2-0 in preseason, while Washington is 1-1.
For many starters, however, Wednesday’s practice may have been the more significant test. The preseason finale will also provide roster-bubble players another chance before Baltimore sets its regular-season squad.
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