Kelechi Osemele Being Smart With Hamstring

Hamstring injuries can linger if they're not taken care of properly.

Second-year offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele knows this. After tweaking his hamstring last Thursday, Osemele sat out of practice until returning for positional drills on Monday.

He didn't work in during team drills, but the sign of him getting some work in is good for the Ravens moving forward.

After practice, Osemele expressed the importance of being on the field in some capacity during this time of the preseason.

"The most important part is the mental part of it," Osemele said. "Just being sharp and making sure you can still keep up with Joe [Flacco's] audibles, and things like that. It just felt good to be out there with the guys and getting plays."

Osemele started 16 games at right tackle in 2012, but moved to left guard for the postseason. That's where he'll line up if the line stays healthy in 2013.

Osemele was asked a few other questions, which included topics such as veteran Bryant McKinnie's progression, rookie Ricky Wagner's development and the identity of this offense.

Osemele on McKinnie: "Bryant's been doing well. On [studying] film, he's a veteran guy. It didn't take him long to get up to speed. Especially in one-on-one pass pros, he's been dominating with ease, with very little effort. Bryant's been doing well as usual."

On if McKinnie's gradually improved with each practice: "I'd probably say he had his best day [Monday]. I saw a couple of one-on-one drills with Suggs in there and some other guys and he had no problem. He looked like his usual self today."

On Wagner's development: "Ricky's been doing a phenomenal job. I've never seen a rookie come in like that and pick up on the technique as fast as he has. He has a promising future, for sure. His technique has improved every day. I've rarely even seen him get beat."

On if he expects the Ravens to run more with Dennis Pitta out for the season: "I think we have a lot of options, a lot of weapons. Whether we run the ball more or pass the ball, we have so many weapons. Ed Dickson's been having the camp of his life right now. Honestly, I don't know what our go-to's going to be but I feel we have a lot of weapons."

On running back Bernard Pierce: "He came back really in great shape. He's been strong. I've watched him in the weight room working out and everything. He's explosive, has gotten bigger. That comes with a good offseason and getting older."

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