OWINGS MILLS — Rookie Nate Wiggins jumped a route and made an interception in a downpour during the Ravens’ second day of training camp.
“Nate has been looking good. [He’s] been working on technique,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Again, it’s only his second day. He made a nice play, great technique, nice and square in man coverage there, and [he] made the pick. It was a nice play. He actually came running right back through the middle of the field – which you’re supposed to not do that, but that is where I was standing. I was just happy that he didn’t hit me and ran around, so that was nice. But he was coming very fast.”
Safety Eddie Jackson impressed his new team by grabbing a pick-six during 11-on-11 drills.
Even undrafted rookie defensive end Tramel Walthour put up his hands at the line of scrimmage and came up with the ball on a pass by Devin Leary.
It was a good day for the defense with quarterback Lamar Jackson still sidelined because of sickness.
“[We] had a good practice,” Harbaugh said. “[It] was kind of fun out there in the rain – that was good, and guys worked hard. So, Day 2 is in the books, and [we’ll] get to work on Day 3.”
Daryl Worley returns: The Ravens re-signed veteran defensive back Daryl Worley, who is also a key player on special teams.
Second-year defensive back Tre Swilling was waived to make room for Worley, who was a full participant at practice on Monday.
Worley, 29, played for the Ravens the past two-plus seasons. He appeared in 12 games last year and finished with 12 tackles last season. He adds depth at cornerback but is versatile enough to play or move around on defense.
Worley also will be a contributor on special teams, especially with the new kickoff rules that favor fast, athletic players.
“Daryl Worley; veteran player,” Harbaugh said. “[He’s] been here a long time. He’s been a big part of the Ravens here since he got here. [He’s] a physical presence in the back end, [he’s] a physical presence on special teams. [He’s] healthy now. He got the tear that he had in the [pectoral muscle] healed, and he was excited to get back. We’re excited to have him back.”
Bateman stand out: Wide receiver Rashod Bateman had the best performance of any player on the offense. He had several receptions, including an acrobatic grab at the pylon.
In April, the Ravens signed Bateman to a contract extension through the 2026 season. The team is counting on him to have a breakout year.
Bateman appeared in 16 regular-season games and finished fifth on the team with 32 receptions for 367 yards and a touchdown last season. He also caught four passes for 41 yards in the two playoff games.
Bateman, however, has dealt with various injuries, including hernia surgery that sidelined him for the first six games of his rookie season. The following year, he had foot surgery and was placed on injured reserve after six games.
The goal is for him to stay healthy and become a key player for the offense.
Bateman appears to be on the right track.
“To see him come out here and make those catches – those are great catches,” Harbaugh said. “They’re in-traffic catches; [there was] one catch he plucked off the ground. I was excited; everyone was fired up about it, but that’s what we expect from Rashod Bateman. He’s expected to be a top receiver in the league for us. That’s what we’re planning on. To see him true to form today was nice to see.”