OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens rookie offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele was activated from the physically unable to perform list after being sidelined this week with back spasms.
The second-round draft pick from Iowa State practiced Friday for the first time since initially getting hurt during an organized team activity in May.
Osemele lined up at right offensive tackle with the first-team offense and didn’t look that rusty, displaying a powerful hand punch and sound footwork.
"This was a good day to get him back," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We were going to not put him in full force. We wanted to ease him in, just make sure the back didn’t cramp up on him. It looks like he got through pretty well."
Osemele is a former All-Big 12 selection who’s under consideration to start immediately with left tackle Bryant McKinnie absent for personal reasons and Michael Oher shifted over from right tackle to the left side.
"Absolutely, we definitely feel like he’s a guy we could plug in and he can start,"
Harbaugh said. "K.O. is talented, he’s tough, he’s really smart."
WEBB EXCUSED: Starting cornerback Lardarius Webb was excused from practice to attend to a personal matter involving his son.
Webb is scheduled to return in time for today’s afternoon practice.
"Lardarius Webb was not here on a personal issue at home," Harbaugh said. "No problem, just something he had to take care of at home with his son."
NGATA STILL OUT: Although Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata remains on the physically unable to perform list with a hamstring injury sustained during the conditioning test, he’s expected to be back soon.
The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder has been rehabilitating his leg in the weight room, including leg presses.
"It’s not a major hamstring, but Haloti has been around a long time," Harbaugh said. "We’ll bring him back when the time is right here. It won’t be real long, but it’s going to be a few days."
Besides offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, Webb and Ngata, the following players didn’t practice: offensive tackle Ramon Harewood (ankle), defensive end Pernell McPhee (arthroscopic knee surgery), offensive lineman Jah Reid (strained right calf), wide receiver David Reed (anterior cruciate ligament surgery), center-guard Justin Boren (undisclosed) and Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (partially torn right Achilles tendon).
McPhee, Reid and Reed are on the physically unable to perform list.
Suggs is on the non-football injury list and expected to miss at least the majority of the season.
KICKERS EXCELLING: The Ravens’ kickers have been perfect so far, not missing any field goal attempts.
Undrafted rookie Justin Tucker connected on a 57-yarder that just cleared the crossbar.
Former Pro Bowl kicker Billy Cundiff is the favorite to retain his job.
"The kickers have done well," Harbaugh said. "Have they missed one yet? I don’t think they have. We put them in pressure situations as much as we can out here. They are all kind of game-type situations. I’m very pleased with both guys."
KINDLE MAKING PLAYS: Backup outside linebacker Sergio Kindle recorded several sacks and intercepted a deflected pass.
The former second-round draft pick from the University of Texas played sparingly last season after missing his entire rookie year with a fractured skull.
Now, Kindle is challenging for playing time. He finally looks comfortable on the field, but did suffer permanent hearing loss in his left ear when he fell down two flights of stairs two years ago.
"Sergio has done exceptionally well," Harbaugh said. "You saw him rush the passer really well. We’re not in pads yet, so we will see, but his quickness is back. He seems to have his balance back from what we saw in college and he’s done a great job of learning the defense. I can’t wait to see him when we put the pads on and when we get into preseason games."
FULL PADS: The Ravens will be in full pads today after working in shells the first few days of camp.
"You can get more done, but it’s not dramatically more," Harbaugh said. "It’s just enough more, just what we need to see when they put on the pads. I can’t wait. I know the players can’t wait, either. You heard them out there talking about it, right? On some of those plays that were in question, when Ray [Lewis] was talking about whether that would have been a first down or now, we’ll find out [today]."
QUICK HITS: Cornerback Jimmy Smith went down to the ground with lower leg cramps toward the end of practice, but it wasn’t serious. … Wide receiver Tandon Doss beat Smith for a long touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Flacco. … Flacco regularly hit tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta over the middle, threading passes between the defensive backs for first downs and one touchdown apiece.
"Those guys looked good, made a bunch of plays in the red zone and what we call the fringe area moving into the red zone," Harbaugh said of Dickson and Pitta, who combine for 94 receptions, 933 yard and eight touchdowns last season as the replacements for former Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap. "If your tight ends can be a factor up the seams, that’s huge." …
Nose guard Terrence Cody is noticeably lighter and quicker after dropping 25 to 30 pounds since the Ravens drafted him in the third round two years ago. He’s listed at 341 pounds and has lost a considerable amount of body fat. "He’s made it through two grueling practices here, and he has had a bounce in his step at the end," Harbaugh said. "He’s in great shape." …
Harbaugh said he’s not concerned about the labor dispute between the league and the referees. "That’s down the road," he said. "Both sides are doing everything they can to get it organized. We have great officials in this league. We respect them. I know the league does. Hopefully, something will get done quickly."
