Ravens rookie report: Preseason opener offers glimpse of impressive class

When youre on a team filled with explosive players such as Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Kyle Hamilton, etc.

and those guys arent on the field its easy to understand why rookie LaJohntay Wester said that he knew he was going to be aggressive.For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, its difficult for rookies to make an impact.

But Baltimore has several first-year players who could get on the field this season.

Thursday night was an encouraging sign for their prospects.Most of the Ravens established starters didnt play in their 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium.

The preseason lays an easy path for rookies to make an impact, since theyre often the most talented players in uniform.Wester returned a punt for an 87-yard touchdown and added a 17-yard return, second-round edge rusher Mike Green displayed fluid bend on two third-down pass rushes, first-round safety Malaki Starks looked steady in the back end on a pair of drives and sixth-round defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage.The night wasnt without blemishes.

Sixth-round defensive back Bilhal Kone suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first quarter and was carted off the field in an air cast.

Kicker Tyler Loop missed a 46-yard field goal attempt wide left, but he did rebound with a 52-yarder.Overall, the rookies looked the part of a pro-ready draft class.

Other than Starks and Loop, none of them are expected to start in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, but Green, Wester and linebacker Teddye Buchanan could all compete for rotational snaps.Heres a report on the rookies performances on Thursday:Safety Malaki StarksThe first-rounder was one of the few projected starters to take the field Thursday, as most of the Ravens core players sat out.

The safety played in just two drives and made a tackle.

He was seen communicating with the rest of the defense, which has been a theme throughout training camp.[Starks] does a great job communicating with us, making it super easy on the linebackers, Buchanan said.Edge rusher Mike GreenGreen was drafted for his pass-rushing acumen.

Baltimore needed more juice off the edge, especially with the status of former high draft picks David Ojabo and Adisa Isaac in question.The Marshall product gave a preview of what his role could be during the regular season.

On two third-and-longs, Green dipped around the edge with fluid bend, pressuring the quarterback on both dropbacks.First, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was forced to step up in the pocket because of Greens pressure.

Quarterback Daniel Jones then was grabbed around the ankles by Green on the ensuing drive, which allowed Isaac to sack Jones.It was great because in practice, you got to stay away from the quarterback.

You cant practice tackling the quarterback, Green said.Ravens inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan tackles Colts tight end Tyler Warren above cornerback T.J.

Tampa.

(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Linebacker Teddye BuchananBuchanan played for a majority of the first half, tallying just one tackle.

He was the closest defender on a long completion by Jones but blitzed and forced a rushed throw from the quarterback on the ensuing play.I practice against Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry every day.

I feel like Ive grown tremendously since April, Buchanan said.Wideout LaJohntay WesterThe most impressive rookie and perhaps the best player on the field Thursday, Wester returned a punt for an 87-yard touchdown.

He tallied 41 receiving yards on two receptions, 32 more than the next Raven.If you know me, you know I always have confidence just because everybody overlooked me, Wester said.

Its one of the reasons why they brought me here to become a game-changer in the special teams department.The 23-year-old also had a 17-yard punt return in which he also evaded several Colts players.

Westers elusiveness has stood out during training camp, as hes thrived in short area situations and one-on-one drills.Ravens kicker Tyler Loop follows through on his field goal after the hold from punter Jordan Stout.

(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Kicker Tyler LoopCoach John Harbaugh said that while it wasnt a home run game for Loop, it was a solid B performance.

The coach reaffirmed the teams commitment to the rookie, whos the only kicker on the roster after undrafted free agent John Hoyland was cut.Loops 46-yard attempt went wide left, which is where hes typically missed in training camp.

But the Arizona product rebounded with a booming 52-yarder, easily splitting the uprights.Defensive tackle Aeneas PeeblesA big man with a big personality, Peebles batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage and followed it with several different dances.

He emulated cornerback Jaire Alexanders signature seatbelt celebration, then rubbed his stomach in joy.Peebles also pushed the pocket in the late stages of the game, which is exactly what Baltimore drafted the undersized defensive tackle for.Cornerback Bilhal KonePreseason football giveth and preseason football taketh.

Kone, whos played well in training camp and was emerging as a legitimate backup cornerback, suffered a torn ligament in his knee and will be out for the season, Harbaugh said.The sixth-round pick was playing well up until the injury, nearly intercepting a wayward pass and deflecting a fade route on the play he injured his left leg on.

Harbaugh said that he delivered a simple message to the emotional Kone as he was being carted off.The sun will come up tomorrow.Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230..

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