WESTMINSTER — Baltimore Ravens starting wide receiver Mark Clayton will be out for two to three preseason games due to a strained left hamstring, according to coach John Harbaugh.
The former first-round draft pick from Oklahoma is dealing with "some significant bleeding" in the hamstring, per Harbaugh.
Clayton injured his hamstring Sunday during team drills while running a pass pattern on the wet turf at McDaniel College and was carted off the field. It’s another blow for a receiving corps that has drawn scrutiny throughout the offseason.
"It’s going to be a few preseason games, we’re not going to be in any hurry to bring him back," Harbaugh said. "He has some significant bleeding in there, so we’re going to be very safe with that. He’s gotten plenty of work in the offseason. Of course, you would like to have him obviously, but we have plenty of receivers to look at as well. So, we’re not going to be in a rush."
The Ravens are aiming toward having Clayton back well in advance of their Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"Oh, yeah, he’ll be 100 percent way before then," Harbaugh said.
There has been speculation that Clayton might be out for a longer period, but that appears to be overstating the severity of the injury.
Clayton has indicated that he won’t be out any longer than a couple of weeks and is confident that he’ll return in time to participate in some of the preseason games. Clayton has a history of problems with this hamstring, which has continually plagued him since being drafted by the Ravens four years ago.
“Realistically, I don’t know,” Clayton said Tuesday. “A couple of week s, I don’t know. Just as it goes… it’s sensitive. We know right now it is preseason and we know how important it is.
“I’m taking it day by day. At the same time, to not be able to do anything, especially as a receiver, to not be able to run full speed and show speed, it limits you, and will limit our offense.”
Clayton who’s heading into the final year of his contract and is due a $2 million base salary this season, caught 41 passes for 695 yards and three touchdowns last season. He averaged 17 yards per catch to lead the team.
With Clayton unavailable, the Ravens will likely plug in Demetrius Williams as the starter opposite two-time Pro Bowl selection Derrick Mason.
It could also lead to increased playing time for Justin Harper, who has been impressive in training camp so far and caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from John Beck on Thursday.
"It’s too early to tell," Harbaugh said of Harper on Wednesday. "He needs to make those catches. All the little technique things that [receivers coach] Jim Hostler works on so hard and catching the ball, to be a pure receiver, that’s the criteria. Can you catch the ball? Especially in a critical situation."
