OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata injured his hamstring during a mandatory conditioning test and placed on the active physically unable to perform list.
Ngata was sidelined for the first full-team practice of training camp, but was at the Ravens’ training complex working out and rehabbing his leg.
It’s unclear when Ngata will be back on the field.
"Haloti tweaked his hamstring a little bit," coach John Harbaugh said. "We’re going to take it slow and make sure he’s OK."
Ngata was noticeably heavier at a mandatory minicamp in June, bulking up to 345 pounds.
Last season, Ngata got down to 335 pounds and recorded 65 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries after being signed to a five-year, $61 million contract that included a $25 million signing bonus and a $10 million option bonus.
Following a dominant start to the season, Ngata wore down as he dealt with a deep thigh bruise.
“I had a couple of problems, but I just didn’t feel probably just as powerful at the end of the season as what I usually feel,” Ngata said in June. “I just didn’t feel that strong. So, I think a little bit this year I’m going to probably try to get up on the weight a little bit just to help me with some of that power. I think being a little bit lighter kind of made me lose some of that power.”
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ngata has recorded 393 career tackles, 17 sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
He lost 20 pounds prior to last season to try to upgrade his stamina.
“I still feel the same,” Ngata said. “That’s the thing, though. I felt more, not as winded, but I’m so used to playing at this weight anyway. So, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Besides Ngata, offensive tackle Ramon Harewood turned his ankle and didn’t return.
The following players remain on the physically unable to perform list: rookie offensive guard-tackle Kelechi Osemele (back spasms),defensive end Pernell McPhee (minor knee surgery), wide receiver David Reed (anterior cruciate ligament surgery) and offensive guard-tackle Jah Reid (strained right calf).
Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (partially torn Achilles tendon) is on the physically unable to perform list.
Harbaugh predicted that Osemele could be activated as soon as today and indicated Reid may be out a few more practices.
Practicing in muggy conditions, starting wide receiver Torrey Smith briefly dealt with leg cramps before returning to drills.
"Torrey is a guy with a very low-percentage of body fat," Harbaugh said. "So, the cramping is always going to be an issue for him."
WILLIAMS IN SHAPE: Veteran offensive guard Bobbie Williams reported nearly 15 pounds lighter than minicamp when he was listed at 6-foot-4, 345 pounds.
Now, the former Cincinnati Bengals starter is down to 331 pounds.
"I can’t carry it as you get up there in age," Williams said. "I’m trying to play my best football."
Signed to a two-year, $2.9 million contract in June that includes an $800,000 signing bonus, Williams drew praise from Harbaugh for his upgraded conditioning.
"Bobbie has done a great job," Harbaugh said. "He passed the conditioning test with flying colors. He looks to be in very good shape. He looks good."
KINDLE PRAISED: Following a quiet season last year where he was used sparingly after missing his entire rookie season with a fractured skull suffered during a fall down two flights of stairs, outside linebacker Sergio Kindle is competing for an increased role.
A former second-round draft pick, Kindle is one of the pass rushers the Ravens are hoping to get contributions from after NFL Defensive Player of the Year outside linebacker Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles tendon in April.
Kindle seems to have regained his confidence after displaying rust a year ago.
"He’s understanding the game better," inside linebacker Jameel McClain said. "It’s really coming to him, so that’s what I really see out of Sergio. And now you can see him running around out there, doing things more freely.
"When you’re younger, the game is so fast because you never really catch on to it. You can see that it’s slowing down for Sergio, and we’ll definitely, I believe, we’ll be seeing a lot of Sergio. I’m a fan."
RECEIVER SIGNED: The Ravens signed former New York Jets wide receiver Logan Payne and cut undrafted rookie free agent fullback Jamison Berryhill.
Payne was sidelined last season with the Jets, going on injured reserve due to a wrist injury that required surgery.
Payne, 27, played for the Seattle Seahawks four years ago.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pounder started twice and hauled in three catches for 39 yards before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, a torn medial collateral ligament.
Payne is known as a sure-handed wide receiver.
The Florida native went undrafted out of the University of Minnesota where he caught 97 passes for 1,344 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Payne has practice squad stints with the Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings.
KICKING COMPETITION: Incumbent kicker Billy Cundiff and rookie challenger Justin Tucker both made every field goal attempt.
Tucker connected on 5 of 5 attempts while Cundiff made all four of his tries.
A former Pro Bowl selection who missed a rushed chip shot in the AFC championship game that would have sent the game into overtime, Cundiff is the prohibitive favorite to retain his job.
QUICK HITS: Newly-signed linebacker Ricky Brown intercepted quarterback Curtis Painter’s errant throw. Painter was also intercepted by veteran safety Sean Considine, fifth-round rookie cornerback Asa Jackson and undrafted rookie safety Omar Brown. … Paul Kruger lined up at Suggs’ rush outside linebacker spot while rookie Courtney Upshaw was at strongside linebacker, Jarret Johnson’s old position. "Courtney looked good," McClain said. "He’s a great player. We can all see that within him. He’s strong as an ox. The real challenge for everybody comes when the pads come on. That’s where we know when it’s gut-check time, but I’ve got a strong feeling that Courtney is going to be even better with pads on." …Quarterback Joe Flacco said he hasn’t been losing sleep even with son Stephen Vincent Flacco six weeks old. "My wife’s been doing a great job," he said. "I’ve been sleeping unless he’s crying too long. If I do happen to wake up, I try not to let anyone know. I’m not doing any diaper-changing, so I don’t have to be nervous about anything that he does besides keeping him healthy, keeping him safe, making sure he’s progressing. He’s doing well right now. I can’t complain. When I’m home with my wife and he’s around, I’m useless. I have nothing he ants. If he’s crying: ‘Hey, hon, here you go. If she wants a couple of minutes by herself, I take him out to the car because that’s usually where he falls asleep."
