OWINGS MILLS — It was a tough day for the Ravens off the field.
Tight end Mark Andrews was involved in a car accident at 9:46 a.m., just a few miles from the Under Armour Performance Center. The team said he was not injured. Then the Ravens announced that long-ime offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris was hospitalized over the weekend for an acute illness that will require ongoing treatment for an extended period.
Harbaugh credited the players for their focus on a challenging day.
“Good tough practice – pads – very physical practice. Guys stepped up and we had a lot of good work done,” Harbaugh said. “Joe D’Alessandris – we love ‘Joe D.’ … He had a surgery earlier in the summer, and it came back a little bit – some complications have arisen from it, so he’s in the hospital right now, and he’ll be focusing on his health for the next significant period of time. It’s a blow; it’s a blow; because he’s a great football coach – he’s beloved by the players [and] by the coaches.”
Harbaugh said that he initially received a text saying Andrews was OK before getting more information about the accident.
“[If] he was OK, I was OK,” Harbaugh said.
Hamilton in top-notch form: After an injury scare on Sunday, Ravens All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton put together two solid practices. On Tuesday, Hamilton had a diving interception off a pass from Lamar Jackson intended for Tylan Wallace. “It’s great; it’s great to have him back playing great,” Harbaugh said. “I mean what a resilient guy – what a leader; a leader by example; a leader by every way. But he’s had two great practices since that.”
Wiggins sighting: Ravens rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was on the practice field for the first time since injuring his shoulder in the first preseason game against the Eagles. Wiggins did not participate in drills but the Ravens expect him to be ready for the regular-season opener.
Wilks visits: Longtime coach Steve Wilks was a guest at Ravens practice on Wednesday. Wilks was the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He has also served as defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers, in addition to being the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, and Missouri. “Steve [is] visiting certain teams here during training camp, and like coaches do, coaches like to get out and they like to learn – they like to research,” Harbaugh said. “And Steve is another coach we have tremendous respect for. He’s been a guy that we’ve known for a long time, and having him here and picking his brain a little bit – that was really cool, too.”
Orioles in the house: The Ravens also hosted several Orioles at practice, including manager Brandon Hyde, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, reliever Craig Kimbrel, and outfielder Cedric Mullins. Harbaugh and Hyde were able to have a conversation on the sideline. “I have so much respect for Brandon – I think he’s a great coach – a great skipper,” Harbaugh said. “What a job they’ve done; the team’s so exciting. Having those guys here [at practice] – they were right there behind – we got them right up there behind [the line of scrimmage] with the players.
“They were 15 yards away from the play, and I think they were really enjoying it; just like our guys would like to be right on the dugout rail if you could be. So, it’s pretty cool having those guys here.”