John Harbaugh confirmed a sharp shift in Ravens’ preseason approach: the coaching staff will play only the young, developmental players in the final tune-up against Washington, effectively sending vets like Jackson and other presumed starters to the sideline. The move is all‑about roster evaluation and tape for depth pieces who could carve out meaningful roles once the regular season begins. The plan dovetails with a broader emphasis on preserving health through August while still extracting competitive reps from those fighting to make the roster.

Injury news dominated the week, with Jaire Alexander (knee) and DeAndre Hopkins (knee) highlighted as players who are being managed rather than pushed back to full speed. Emry Jones’ labrum surgery ends any early-season hopes, while Isaac Likely’s rehab schedule remains uncertain, and Katon Mitchell returned to practice, a positive sign for the Ravens’ pass defense. Harbaugh stressed that the team won’t rush any knee or shoulder rehab, instead prioritizing Week 1 readiness and long‑term durability. The absence of a joint practice with Washington strips away a critical controlled environment for vets to gain reps, but Baltimore has already leaned on tape from the Colts game and a deep defensive rookie class to carry momentum into September.

The season’s early slate sits as a formidable test: five of six games against division-winners, with Week 2 featuring Joe Flacco and Cleveland—an emotional, high‑stakes matchup that could set the tone for the opening stretch. Baltimore’s depth at receiver, corner, and along the line has drawn intrigue, particularly rookies and second‑year players who flashed in August. The Ravens’ depth chart appears robust enough to withstand inevitable early injuries, even as the true test begins against Buffalo and the rest of a gauntlet-filled schedule. Fantasy managers should watch how Hopkins’ workload evolves post‑knee management and whether emerging pieces like Flowers or the safety‑backups step into Week 1 roles when the lights finally come on.

Washington Commanders stunned many in 2024, posting 12-5 and punching their ticket toward another deep playoff run. Terry McLaurin anchored a pass game that fans expect to lean on heavily again, even as the backfield and secondary receivers face questions about depth. The offense has outside veterans like DeAndre Hopkins and AJ Green chiming in as meaningful complements, while Noah Brown provides a steady presence on the perimeter. The interplay between the quarterback and these targets will largely determine the attack’s ceiling, especially given worries about the offensive line and the lack of proven playmakers beyond McLaurin.

From a fantasy lens, McLaurin remains the clear keystone, with Hopkins and Green offering high-upside stacking options in favorable matchups. Washington’s schematic emphasis on outside routes and red-zone chemistry, including McLaurin with the QB, could yield consistent weekly upside if the supporting cast can stay healthy. The backfield situation adds some risk, as Robinson’s role could shift with depth pieces emerging, but he still represents a potential week-to-week anchor when healthy. Defensively, uncertainty around the run and pass rush could push more high-scoring games, potentially boosting shootout opportunities for Commanders’ pass catchers in fantasy leagues.

Overall, the blueprint hinges on Terry McLaurin staying dominant, Hopkins/Green anchoring the perimeter, and Noah Brown providing a reliable secondary outlet, while the defense must converge into a more stable unit to sustain a robust fantasy profile across Washington's skilled positions.

Tom Brady’s stern message to Lamar Jackson and the surrounding quarterback landscape highlight a humbling, habit-driven path to elite success. Brady argues that success isn’t predicted or declared; it’s built through daily routines, habits, and leadership that elevates the entire unit. For fantasy players, this signals a Ravens offense built for sustained upside, with Lamar Jackson surrounded by multiple high-upside weapons and a coaching culture pushing continuous improvement.

Lamar’s leadership is repeatedly underscored by teammates who note his on-field instincts and off-field work—meetings, film sessions, and post-play debriefs that sharpen route timing and play design. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman offer dynamic playmaking, Isaiah Likely is an emerging threat, Mark Andrews remains a constant, and DeAndre Hopkins adds veteran reliability. The roster’s depth suggests a diversified target tree that can elevate Lamar’s fantasy ceiling across weeks, especially if Hopkins builds quick chemistry and Flowers breaks out as a rookie spark.

Rashod Bateman’s bold Ravens prediction reflects a collective belief that this is the year Baltimore connects in big moments. Rashad Bateman’s confidence pairs with Hopkins’ arrival, the continued growth of Flowers, and Lamar’s willingness to push into meetings and film study to maximize every snap. The path to a deep playoff run hinges on sustaining performance through early-season tests (Bills, Cowboys) and maintaining a disciplined, practice-to-game tempo that Brady argues is non-negotiable.

Additionally, Rashee Rice’s looming eligibility and the Chiefs’ looming schedule add a subtle, strategic backdrop to the Ravens’ season. The team’s call to stay sharp, avoid complacency, and execute in critical moments echoes Brady’s standard. If Baltimore stays healthy and Lamar unlocks the full complementary arsenal, fantasy managers should expect a high-scoring, versatile offense with multiple weekly ceiling days rather than one alpha carry all season.

Lamar Jackson is heating up at Ravens camp, and his growing chemistry with Rashod Bateman is turning heads. Early in practice, Bateman’s playmaking and Lamar’s deep-burst accuracy sparked a flurry of mid- and down-field connections, including a 40-yard TD with Bateman that the team highlighted. The duo’s efficiency signals a more dynamic, balanced pass game that could unlock Lamar’s top-tier ceiling in 2024, while also threatening defenses with multiple downfield looks and a reliable quick-game option in Bateman.

Mike Green continues to draw headlines as a disruptive force on the line, with coaches and veterans praising his run-in and pass-rush discipline. The Ravens emphasize a complete, assignment-based defense, with coaching from Matt Robinson and a layered rotation that keeps players fresh. Across the roster, the depth at receiver and along the front seven is being tested, with young players like Dayton Wade and Malachi Starks showing they can contribute, while veterans provide the necessary guidance to maximize the unit’s ceiling.

Harbaugh confirmed a conservative approach for the upcoming preseason game plan, resting the usual Week 1 stars and prioritizing health ahead of the season opener against Kansas City. There’s notable optimism about Rashod Bateman anchoring the aerial attack, and the sustained development of Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Lamar’s evolving second-act timing. The camp storyline isn’t just about one day’s plays; it’s about a team optimizing its core talents and building a multi-faceted offense and pressure-heavy defense that could set the stage for a strong Week 1 showing.

The Ravens arrive at the fantasy season with Lamar Jackson at the center of the conversation, riding a historically efficient 2024 profile that keeps him in the MVP discussion even as national analysts debate tier placements. Lamar’s rushing ceiling remains the engine, but Dan Orlovsky’s breakdown and Mike Sando’s tier shifts spotlight how the league still weighs playoffs and surrounding weapons. Baltimore’s addition of DeAndre Hopkins adds a stable veteran target, while Keaton Mitchell’s shifty burst and Zay Flowers’ perimeter explosiveness give Lamar multiple outlets to sustain top-tier fantasy production. In camp, Mark Andrews remains the safe anchor, Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey anchor the defense, and a clearer path to turnover leverage could shape fantasy scoring alongside a healthier, deeper Ravens roster. <\/p>

From a Ravens-centric angle, the camp notes paint a nuanced picture: Hopkins stepping into a clear role, Mitchell pushing for a larger workload, and Flowers taking on big-play opportunities as a rookie. The Longerbeam injury saga adds a layer of suspense about the depth chart, but the broader trend is one of a more balanced attack that could elevate several pass-cant roles behind Lamar. For fantasy managers, the takeaways are clear: Lamar’s rushing impact remains the core, Andrews stays a top target, Hopkins can unlock ceiling games, and Mitchell/Flowers offer high-leverage flex-week upside in a pass-heavy, play-action-friendly system.