Latest news with #practice
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Baltimore Ravens swim with Michael Phelps, get lessons from the Olympic champion
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens got their chance to swim with Michael Phelps. A couple of weeks after players shot video asking the 23-time Olympic champion — and Baltimore native — for swimming lessons, Phelps showed up at practice Tuesday. Then the team posted video of players swimming and diving — or at least leaping off diving boards — at nearby Loyola University. In one video posted by a reporter for the team's website, Phelps let everyone else have a significant head start before diving in and racing them. At least some of them did beat him to the end. Phelps also toured the smaller pools at the Ravens' facility, and he spoke to the team on the practice field along with former Ravens star Ray Lewis. 'I'm not going to say I'm a big swimming fan, but I know Michael Phelps,' defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. 'I think it was neat having him and Ray come talk to us, because the message was the same. That's one thing you notice when you listen to the greats. When you study the greats, you wonder, 'How do they do such great things in the highest tense moments?' And it all leads back to the work that nobody sees, and that's what Michael Phelps talked about. Ray talked about preparation. Michael Phelps talked about preparation as well.' ___ AP NFL:
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Falcons joint practice report: Michael Penix crisp against Titans, but won't play in game
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr. will miss his second preseason game of the summer Friday, head coach Raheem Morris said. But from the looks of Tuesday's practice session, the second-year quarterback doesn't need the extra work. Penix was very sharp as the Atlanta Falcons held the first of two joint practices against the Tennessee Titans. The 25-year-old lefty finished 13-of-17 with a 52-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Casey Washington in 11-on-11 work against the Titans' first-team defense. Penix was 4-of-5 with a long touchdown to running back Bijan Robinson on a wheel route in seven-on-seven work. Advertisement The practice was fully padded but didn't allow tackling to the ground or any contact with the quarterbacks. 'I thought there was some good from the offense,' Falcons running backs coach Michael Pitre said. 'We'll go watch the film and say there are some things we need to clean up, but there was some good physicality, guys were finishing runs and passes (and) we did a decent job of protecting the quarterback.' Penix, who also sat out Atlanta's first preseason game, completed four passes to Drake London, two each to Washington, Robinson and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud and one each to tight end Kyle Pitts, running back Tyler Allgeier and wide receiver David Sills V. 'He's good, got a strong arm,' Titans defensive tackle Timmy Horne said of Penix. Michael Penix Jr. Falcons Morris, who spoke to the media before Tuesday's practice, was asked about his philosophy of holding out his starting quarterback as compared to the Cincinnati Bengals, who played Joe Burrow briefly in their preseason opener. 'Every team is different and every year is different,' Morris said. The Bengals 'changed this year because they had a couple slow starts (to the season). We didn't start slow, so that won't be a philosophy for us. These things change. There is nothing written in stone.' Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins was 15-of-19 leading the second-team offense against Tennessee's No. 2 defense in 11-on-11 work. He likely won't play on Friday night either. The Falcons and Titans will hold another joint practice Wednesday and then play Friday night in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Drake's Way 😤 — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 12, 2025 The Falcons' first-string defense also had a good day against the Titans and No. 1 pick and quarterback Cam Ward. Falcons safety Jessie Bates returned an interception for a touchdown after catching a ball batted into the air by A.J. Terrell, and cornerback Mike Hughes returned a fumble for a touchdown. Advertisement 'Their secondary is really good,' Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo said. 'The strength of their defense comes from their secondary. … It's a great challenge for Cam seeing the different looks and going against those guys.' Atlanta defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich withheld judgment on his unit's execution but said he was happy with its effort. 'I felt like the mindset and the style of play was shining from the start,' he said. 'A big part of these joint practices is it's a great test of emotional intelligence. Can you go to that space, that edge of violence and emotion, but (not) cross the line? I thought we did a good job of that today.' Ulbrich was unhappy with the defense's execution in Friday's preseason opener against Detroit, in which the Lions scored 17 points in three quarters. 'The mind piece was not where it needs to be, not even close to the standard we are trying to set here,' he said. 'That's the place we have to get better.' When the Falcons defense lined up for its final series of 11-on-11 work against the Titans on Tuesday, the starting unit included Arnold Ebiketie, James Pearce Jr., Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus along the defensive front, Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo at inside linebacker and Bates, Terrell, Hughes, Dee Alford and Xavier Watts in the secondary. There are 'three or four' spots on the starting defense that remain up for grabs, Ulbrich said. 'And they are awesome battles,' he said. 'As I look at it, it's not, 'I hope one of these guys emerges,' it's, 'We're going to be good in that spot regardless of who wins.'' Bates was impressed by Ward, he said. 'He got a little chatty back there,' the safety said. 'I think he's a hell of a competitor. I love the way his mindset is. Obviously, as the safety and the quarterback, we are going to talk a little stuff.' Advertisement After impressing his coaches in Friday's preseason game, Dorlus had another active day Tuesday against the Titans. 'If you can do what you are doing in practice against somebody else, that's how you show if you're a real guy,' Dorlus said. 'There are guys out here trying to earn a job, and every day there is money on the floor. You can't come out here and lose your money.' Ulbrich confirmed Tuesday that he intends to move fourth-year defender DeAngelo Malone to inside linebacker this season. Malone, a third-round pick in 2022, played outside linebacker his first three seasons but has never started a game on defense. 'He's gotten so much better,' Ulbrich said. Malone played 'awesome' against the Lions on Friday night, Morris said. 'He was absolutely phenomenal,' the head coach said. 'He got the one penalty, made a mistake and hit the quarterback in the head. I loved the rush. I loved the intent. I loved what he brought at inside linebacker.' Moving Malone inside improves his chances of making the 53-man roster after Atlanta bolstered its depth at edge rusher by signing Leonard Floyd and drafting Pearce and Jalon Walker in the offseason. That's important considering Malone is a special teams stalwart. 'He's our barnyard bully when it comes to special teams,' Morris said. Newly signed Ronnie Harrison is also playing inside linebacker despite spending most of his career at safety, Morris said. That and the Malone move suggest the Falcons don't expect to get Troy Andersen (knee) off the PUP list anytime soon. With the season approaching, the updates on the status of starting wide receiver Darnell Mooney are not getting any more optimistic. 'We are kind of just waiting,' Morris said. 'He'll be on a week-to-week basis. I feel good about getting him back healthy and ready to go. When? I don't know, but we'll have him back healthy and ready to go this year.' Advertisement Mooney suffered a shoulder injury on the first day of training camp when he fell after extending for a pass from Penix. Mooney was second on the team with 62 catches for 992 yards last season. Washington, a sixth-round pick in 2024, appears to have stepped into Mooney's role with the starters in the last two weeks. On Tuesday, he worked alongside London and McCloud with the starters more than any other receiver. Cornerback Clark Phillips III is 'day-to-day' with a rib injury but is not expected to return this week, Morris said. Running back Carlos Washington also could miss the week due to a hamstring injury. 'We hope to get him back soon,' Morris said. Wide receiver/punt returner Jamal Agnew has 'a small issue' and will be back to practice soon, Morris said. Linebacker Caleb Johnson missed Tuesday's practice for personal reasons. 'He'll be back pretty quickly,' Morris said. 'He's got good reasons why he's out.' Linebacker JD Bertrand (undisclosed) returned to contact work against the Titans. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ridley's TD catch in return to Atlanta is rare highlight for Titans in joint practice with Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — It didn't take former Atlanta receiver Calvin Ridley very long to make a big play in his return to his former home. It didn't take Falcons fans long to show they remember Ridley. Ridley opened Tuesday's joint practice between Tennessee and Atlanta by catching a long pass from Titans rookie Cam Ward for a touchdown, bringing instant cheers from fans who usually saved those responses for the home team. Ridley raised the ball in an apparent recognition of the fans' response. 'It was all right,' Ridley said of his return to the Falcons' practice facility near Atlanta. 'Old memories. Old faces.' Ridley was a first-round draft pick by Atlanta from Alabama in 2018 and teamed with Julio Jones to give the Falcons one of their most productive tandems at wide receiver in team history. He had 10 touchdown catches in his 2018 rookie season and set career highs with 90 catches for 1,374 yards in 2020. Ridley played in only five games in 2021, when he posted on social media he needed 'to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental well being.' He was suspended for the 2022 season for placing bets on games in 2021. He was traded to Jacksonville late in 2022 before finding a new home with Tennessee, where he agreed to a four-year, $92 million deal before the 2024 season. When asked Tuesday about his decision to 'step away' from football at the end of his time in Atlanta, Ridley said 'I was injured.' 'That's why I was going through what I was going through, OK,' Ridley said. "When you're injured and they want you to be really good, it's not easy. So that was what I was going through.' Ridley has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Jaguars and Titans and, at 30, is a veteran for a Titans offense looking to rebuild behind Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. Falcons second-year coach Raheem Morris was the team's wide receivers coach when Ridley was drafted. Morris served three seasons as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator before he was hired as Atlanta's coach last year. 'I was a Calvin Ridley fan when I left, I was a Calvin Ridley fan when I was gone and I'm a Calvin Ridley fan now,' Morris said Tuesday. The Titans and Falcons will have another joint practice on Wednesday before playing a preseason game on Friday night. The Titans, trying to improve from a 3-14 finish last season, had few highlights following Ridley's big catch to open the joint practice. 'We've got to go watch the film and see where we can execute better,' said Tennessee center Corey Levin, who said the Falcons 'have a pretty fired-up group over there. We have to come out fired up tomorrow.' The Titans are completing a two-week trip that began with a joint practice at Tampa Bay before Saturday night's 29-7 loss to the Buccaneers. Ridley said the Titans will benefit from extended time on the road 'because it's hard.' 'We don't feel good,' Ridley said. 'Everyone's sleeping in different beds. But we're putting it together. And having a day like this ... we want to do better. So we're going to come back and want to do better.' QB plans Morris said Falcons starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be held out for the second straight preseason game on Friday. Morris said 'we'll talk about' possibly playing veteran backup Kirk Cousins, who also did not play in last week's 17-10 loss to Detroit. Ward completed five of eight passes for 67 yards in the loss to the Buccaneers. Linebacker transactions The Titans made four moves with linebackers. Khaleke Hudson and Blake Lynch were signed. Anfernee Orji was waived/injured and David Gbenda was waived. ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Ridley's TD catch in return to Atlanta is rare highlight for Titans in joint practice with Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — It didn't take former Atlanta receiver Calvin Ridley very long to make a big play in his return to his former home. It didn't take Falcons fans long to show they remember Ridley. Ridley opened Tuesday's joint practice between Tennessee and Atlanta by catching a long pass from Titans rookie Cam Ward for a touchdown, bringing instant cheers from fans who usually saved those responses for the home team. Ridley raised the ball in an apparent recognition of the fans' response. 'It was all right,' Ridley said of his return to the Falcons' practice facility near Atlanta. 'Old memories. Old faces.' Ridley was a first-round draft pick by Atlanta from Alabama in 2018 and teamed with Julio Jones to give the Falcons one of their most productive tandems at wide receiver in team history. He had 10 touchdown catches in his 2018 rookie season and set career highs with 90 catches for 1,374 yards in 2020. Ridley played in only five games in 2021, when he posted on social media he needed 'to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental well being.' He was suspended for the 2022 season for placing bets on games in 2021. He was traded to Jacksonville late in 2022 before finding a new home with Tennessee, where he agreed to a four-year, $92 million deal before the 2024 season. When asked Tuesday about his decision to 'step away' from football at the end of his time in Atlanta, Ridley said 'I was injured.' 'That's why I was going through what I was going through, OK,' Ridley said. 'When you're injured and they want you to be really good, it's not easy. So that was what I was going through.' Ridley has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Jaguars and Titans and, at 30, is a veteran for a Titans offense looking to rebuild behind Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. Falcons second-year coach Raheem Morris was the team's wide receivers coach when Ridley was drafted. Morris served three seasons as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator before he was hired as Atlanta's coach last year. 'I was a Calvin Ridley fan when I left, I was a Calvin Ridley fan when I was gone and I'm a Calvin Ridley fan now,' Morris said Tuesday. The Titans and Falcons will have another joint practice on Wednesday before playing a preseason game on Friday night. The Titans, trying to improve from a 3-14 finish last season, had few highlights following Ridley's big catch to open the joint practice. 'We've got to go watch the film and see where we can execute better,' said Tennessee center Corey Levin, who said the Falcons 'have a pretty fired-up group over there. We have to come out fired up tomorrow.' The Titans are completing a two-week trip that began with a joint practice at Tampa Bay before Saturday night's 29-7 loss to the Buccaneers. Ridley said the Titans will benefit from extended time on the road 'because it's hard.' 'We don't feel good,' Ridley said. 'Everyone's sleeping in different beds. But we're putting it together. And having a day like this ... we want to do better. So we're going to come back and want to do better.' QB plans Morris said Falcons starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be held out for the second straight preseason game on Friday. Morris said 'we'll talk about' possibly playing veteran backup Kirk Cousins, who also did not play in last week's 17-10 loss to Detroit. Ward completed five of eight passes for 67 yards in the loss to the Buccaneers. Linebacker transactions The Titans made four moves with linebackers. Khaleke Hudson and Blake Lynch were signed. Anfernee Orji was waived/injured and David Gbenda was waived. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens' injury updates coming out of preseason opener
The Baltimore Ravens returned to the practice field on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's preseason matchup in Dallas against the Cowboys. Baltimore is looking ahead to joint practice next week with Washington, before starting preparation for the Sunday night season opener in Buffalo against the Bills. John Harbaugh's team is loaded with talent, but dealing with injuries, and we're examining who's in and who's out of practice entering Week 2. Kyle Hamilton The Ravens' star returned to the practice field on Tuesday after missing about a week of practice. Not practicing on Tuesday Jaire Alexander Alexander missed time with a lower-body injury in Week 1 and appears to be taking rest days. TE Isaiah Likely Likely, had foot surgery two weeks ago and aims to get back for the season opener. RB Keaton Mitchell Mitchell, like Alexander, has been getting rest days and could be held out until the regular season with a groin injury. Emery Jones (NFI) Jones has yet to practice while recovering from an undisclosed injury. The Ravens selected Jones at No. 91 overall after the offensive tackle spent three seasons at LSU. He was a two-time second-team All-SEC selection. S Ar'Darius Washington (PUP) Washington is rehabbing a torn Achilles and is looking towards a late December debut. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' injury updates ahead of preseason Week 2
