OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens are already making changes after an injury-ridden season.
At the start of the team’s offseason conditioning program this week, there was more stretching during warm-ups and less repetition in player workouts. The Ravens are coming off a season in which a total of 25 players were placed on injured reserve.
“I think it means you can have more faith in the process because you know the coaches and the organization are doing their best to take care of us,” Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard said Wednesday. “They are aware of the injuries we had. I don’t think you can do the same things over and over again and get a different result. You just go crazy.”
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Injuries were a major factor as the Ravens finished 8-9 – the first time they’ve finished bottom in the AFC North in coach John Harbaugh’s 14 seasons. By the end of the season, Baltimore had eight starters at IR, including all-pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley, Pro Bowl cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, and running backs JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards.
After the season, Harbaugh met with the performance staff for four hours. His message was not to overreact to the injuries, but not to trivialize them either.
The biggest change in the voluntary offseason program was the reduction in workload. Exercises that were 10 to 12 reps are now 8 to 10.
“Philosophically, the program still stands alone, but you’re only making small changes,” said Ravens chief strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders. “We’re going to say, ‘Okay, we don’t know what these guys did. Let’s take a small step back and maybe invest a little more time in the evaluation process, add some other things to the program.’ “
This is the first off-season personal conditioning program, having been conducted virtually for the past two springs due to the pandemic. Last summer, the Ravens endured a stretch in which five players, including three running backs, suffered 19-day season-ending injuries.
Did the lack of a program last year contribute to the team’s preseason injuries?
“You never know what contributed to what,” Saunders said. “It certainly wasn’t a plus.”
Last month, Harbaugh said the Ravens will also adjust their offseason drills and training camp to reduce injuries.