Ravens S Tony Jefferson says hamstring injury is “nothing serious”

The Baltimore Ravens have been involved in joint-practices with the talented Los Angeles Rams over the last couple days. All in preparation for Thursday's preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium. While most of the team has been battling with the Rams, they’ve been missing one of their key players in the secondary - safety Tony Jefferson.

Jefferson pulled his hamstring in practice and has now missed six of the last seven practices, including the two scrimmages with the Rams. Jefferson, and essentially most of the veterans, didn’t play in the Hall of Fame Game, and it seems Jefferson will not play against the Rams Thursday night either. After Tuesday’s practice with Los Angeles, Jefferson made it clear that his hamstring injury was not serious, and that he’s itching to get back on the field:

Jefferson played in all 16 games during his first year with the Ravens, and he’s only missed one game in his entire career to this point. With Jefferson out of action for the time being, second-year player Chuck Clark has stepped in and reportedly impressed the Ravens coaches during training camp. Clark notched an interception against the Chicago Bears last week, and head coach John Harbaugh even called him a “very steady” player.

Jefferson signed a four-year, $34 million contract that includes $19 million guaranteed along with a $10 million signing bonus. Jefferson 2017 campaign was rather disappointing, as his tackle total dropped from 96 in 2016 with the Arizona Cardinals, to 79 with the Ravens last season. Jefferson is a candidate to have a bounce-back season in 2018 for Baltimore, but hamstrings are tricky so it’s best for the Ravens to remain cautious with Jefferson. They don’t want to risk losing him to begin the season, even if Clark is playing well. The Ravens hope they can get Jefferson back on the practice field sometime soon.