Ravens' Mason likely to miss training camp

By Jamison Hensley | jamison.hensley@baltsun.com

May 11, 2009

• E-mail
• Print
• Vote

Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason could miss training camp but remains optimistic he'll be ready for the start of the regular season.

Mason, who has led the Ravens in receptions three of his four seasons here, had surgery to repair the scapula and labrum in his left shoulder in February. He didn't practice during this past weekend's mandatory minicamp.

"I guarantee I'll be ready by the first game; that's all I can say," Mason said Sunday, the final day of the team's minicamp. "Everything else, we'll play it by ear."

Asked whether he would be ready for training camp in late July, Mason said: "Don't know. I really don't. All I can say for certain - well, not even for certain - if everything continues to progress the way it has been, I'll be ready for the first game."

Mason injured his labrum in the Nov. 9 game at Houston. He continued to play, remaining the top target for quarterback Joe Flacco.

After the season, Mason said he knew he would need surgery when X-rays revealed damage to his scapula and labrum.

"It turned out to be more than we anticipated," Mason said. "But great doctors find a way to mend you back."

The Ravens' top three receivers - Mason, Mark Clayton (undisclosed) and Demetrius Williams (ankle) - were limited during minicamp.

Washington the winner?

Although coaches didn't signal a winner, Kelley Washington appeared to have the best showing of three wide receivers trying out for the Ravens.

Washington, a free agent who has played for the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots, stood out in Sunday's two-minute drill, diving to make one catch and pulling in a nice throw from Troy Smith for a touchdown. He punctuated the score with a shimmying dance in the end zone.

"I was able to make some good plays and some bad plays," Washington said. "But the thing I wanted to focus on was the individual drills. I wanted to show them that I could get in and out of routes and catch the ball. There's only so many things you can do in five practices."

The Ravens have to decide whether to sign Washington, Jerry Porter or Tab Perry. Washington has received a contract for the veteran minimum from the Washington Redskins.

"To be fair, we would like to sign at least one guy," coach John Harbaugh said. "But it depends on their situation and what else they have going on. It's just hard to predict right now. But we liked all three guys."

End zone

New center Matt Birk, 32, was one of the few veterans to practice Sunday. Most took advantage of Harbaugh's 30-plus rule (he gives players over the age of 30 every third day off). "I noticed Matt Birk decided to [practice]," Harbaugh said. "He was 29 today." ... Starting left guard Ben Grubbs sat out the minicamp after offseason ankle surgery. Left tackle Jared Gaither missed Sunday with migraines, tight end L.J. Smith was out with a groin injury and cornerback Lardarius Webb, a third-round pick, sat with a tight left hamstring. ... The quarterbacks performed an unusual individual drill. After having the ball flipped to him, each quarterback tossed the ball left-handed. Most of the throws - which were intended to go 10 yards - were way off mark. ... Though Sunday was the final day of mandatory camp, Harbaugh expects a strong showing for other offseason camps, which run through mid-June. "We want everybody here every day," he said. "That's what we're pushing for. Guys will have issues where they won't be able to be here every day, but I know all the guys will make every effort to be here every day."

Baltimore Sun reporter Ken Murray contributed to this article.