The Washington Commanders finished their joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens Wednesday after another solid day of work.
On Tuesday, Washington’s offense, led by quarterback Sam Howell, had an overall good day against a talented Ravens defense. Meanwhile, on defense, the Commanders were solid. The defensive line dominated at times, while the secondary had some good and bad moments.
The biggest takeaway from Tuesday’s practice was all the fighting. Emmanuel Forbes got into a scuffle with a Baltimore wide receiver, and others joined. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews bodyslammed Washington cornerback Danny Johnson for no apparent reason, and Commanders center Nick Gates was also involved in another battle.
Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the teams accomplished what they set out to do.
How was the final day of joint practices between the two Beltway rivals?
Here are some takeaways from the final day of practice between the Ravens and Commanders.
A good two days for Sam Howell
Some pretty good work from Sam Howell during this latest 11-on-11 period. Had two occasions where he felt pressure, maneuvered the pocket and threw a completion. First was a nice sidearm throw to Dyami Brown. On the second, he set his feet quickly and hit John Bates
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 16, 2023
On Tuesday, Howell impressed during the 11-on-11 portion of practice, which is the most important. He kept the Ravens off-balanced by quick and decisive. Washington’s goal in 2023 will be to get the ball into the hands of playmakers such as Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Antonio Gibson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown, with the occasional deep ball.
It was more of the same from Howell on Wednesday. Huge two days for him. Some were looking for him to fail, and he didn’t. Outside of one 11-on-11 period Wednesday, it was more solid work from Howell and the offense.
John Bates with a big day
What a grab from @jjohnbates 🙌@ANG_Recruiting | #HTTC pic.twitter.com/su311qE5q7
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 16, 2023
John Bates has been solid in his first two NFL seasons. He’s proven to be an outstanding blocker, which will keep him in the league for a long time. He’s also proven reliable in his limited opportunities as a receiver. In Friday’s preseason opener, Bates had a chance for a big play, but dropped a beautiful Sam Howell pass that would’ve gone for a big gain. It wouldn’t have counted due to a holding penalty but was nonetheless disappointing for Bates.
During Wednesday’s practice with the Ravens, Bates had himself a day. You see the above catch, where Bates showed his length and hands.
John Bates is having a really nice 11v11 period. He made three catches for far, including a contested grab on a pass from Howell
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 16, 2023
The Commanders need Bates with the uncertainty surrounding Logan Thomas’ health. Bates is an excellent blocker and could have a chance to expand his game in Eric Bieniemy’s offense.
Cole Turner's day
Second-year tight end Cole Turner was excellent against the Browns in the preseason opener. He caught four passes and made one excellent play on a fourth-down reception. Turner could be a valuable weapon in 2023.
However, that’s not to say he doesn’t have things he needs to work on. Per Nicki Jhabvala and Sam Fortier of The Washington Post, on two occasions in during the joint practices, Baltimore defenders stripped the ball from Turner. Turner isn’t known for his strength. He’ll need to improve there to stay on the field in key situations this season.
Cole Turner has shown growth year over year in training camp, but in Washington’s two practices against the Ravens, he had at least a couple balls stripped away and he dropped others.
That stood out to me. This doesn’t diminish Turner’s potential impact, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
Rookie DE is shining
Ron Rivera says Andre Jones has exceeded expectations: "Wow, he's a dynamic young man..His talent and his abilities did flash, he's a guy we have to pay attention too."
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 16, 2023
Head coach Ron Rivera heaping praise on the seventh-round rookie Andre Jones Jr. from Louisiana is worth watching. Jones has stood out all summer. He stood out in the game vs. the Browns. Against the Ravens in practice with Chase Young sidelined, Jones even got some work with the ones. That’s noticeable. He’s making the team.
What does that mean for fellow rookie K.J. Henry? Who the Commanders keep at defensive end is going to be interesting. They are extremely deep there. But you can count on Jones making the roster. Him getting time on special teams and with the ones tells you how the team feels about him.
St-Juste was back
Benjamin St-Juste (ankle) is out here in pads. pic.twitter.com/FVoK9DZGkW
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 16, 2023
Remember when Benjamin St-Juste injured his ankle against the Texans in Week 11 last season? He said he would be fine. He only played one more game for the remainder of the season. When St-Juste tweaked his ankle Sunday, Rivera said it wasn’t a concern. Still, you worried. How many times have we heard the team wasn’t concerned about an injury before?
St-Juste missed Monday and Tuesday, but he was back on the field Wednesday. And he looked fine. He was matched up against the much smaller and dynamic Zay Flowers — Baltimore’s first-round pick — and had a good rep and a bad rep.
The good.
Nice rep by Benjamin St-Juste to stay in position against a smaller receiver in Zay Flowers (5-9, 182).
St-Juste (6-3, 200) will face plenty of WRs like Flowers as a nickel this year. pic.twitter.com/brpkaqbh76
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) August 16, 2023
The not-so-good.
.@ZayFlowers really makes it look easy 😅 pic.twitter.com/4fH1ajHxDb
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 16, 2023
It was good to see St-Juste back. He’s having as good of a training camp as anyone on the team.
