WESTMINSTER — It’s already been an important week for Baltimore Ravens rookie cornerback Prince Miller, becoming a father for the first time.
Miller was excused from practice for two days to travel to Georgia in order to be with his girlfriend as she gave birth to Nyla Imani Miller: a seven-pound, two-ounce baby girl.
Now, the undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Georgia is back to work after returning to practice Tuesday morning.
It was a short paternity leave, but Miller can’t afford to miss much time in his bid to make the team.
"I was fortunate to get the time I had with her," Miller said. "I’m just coming back and getting to work. It’s a bittersweet situation. You want to be there with your child, but you also want to be able to provide for your child. So, you’ve got to go back to work."
Miller said he views this training camp as an investment in his future as well as Nyla’s.
"Prince had a momentous moment," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "It was the birth of his first child. We gave him a couple days off here to do that, and he did have fresh legs out here. I think it helped him. He kind of had a little bounce in his step."
The diminutive rookie is slated for a high number of snaps Thursday night as the Ravens open the preseason against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium.
"He’ll play a lot on Thursday night along with those other young guys," Harbaugh said.
Miller lined up as the nickel back with the first-team defense at times Tuesday. With so many veteran cornerbacks questionable for the game, Miller could see significant action.
The 5-foot-8, 198-pounder may have to square off with imposing wideouts, including: Dwayne Jarrett (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) and Brandon LaFell (6-2, 210 pounds).
"I’m excited," Miller said. "I can’t wait to get out there and show what I can do."
 
