It's a mystery whether cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb will be among the participants Tuesday when the Ravens open training camp with practices in the morning and afternoon.
Both players are recovering from knee surgery, and coach John Harbaugh hinted that the duo could begin camp on the team's physically-unable-to-perform list.
"I expect there to be a few guys on PUP that we'll be cautious with," Harbaugh said Monday afternoon. "The two corners would be off the top of my head. Obviously, [free safety] Ed [Reed]. We'll keep them on PUP until they're ready to practice in such a way that they can protect themselves and compete and be ready to go."
Yet Washington sounded optimistic Monday about the status of his surgically repaired left knee when he reported to the team's hotel in Westminster.
"I was going as hard as I possibly could, and the knee held up," said Washington, who worked out this summer with fellow cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Arizona Cardinals and Mike Jenkins of the Dallas Cowboys and rookie wide receiver Dexter McCluster of the Kansas City Chiefs. "You've got to push it and get some confidence in it, and I feel like it's ready to play."
Washington, who started the first 10 games last season before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee Nov. 22, said he hopes to avoid beginning camp on the team's PUP list, but he acknowledged that he had to pass a physical Monday night and confer with trainer Bill Tessendorf and coach John Harbaugh.
"Man, I plan on being full go," Washington said. "But, of course, we're going to let the docs, Bill T and Coach Harbs make the final decision."
Webb was slightly more tight-lipped about his chances of suiting up Tuesday, saying, "I don't know if I'm going to be on PUP or not. Hopefully, I'll be playing. So I guess we'll see tomorrow."
Webb made four starts as Washington's replacement before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Dec. 20.
There has been speculation that Webb, a second-year pro drafted in the third round of last year's draft, could miss the season opener against the New York Jets. For his part, Webb said he wasn't considering that possibility.
"My hope is to do as much as I possibly can," he said. "To work back as fast as possible, but [be] patient. So I'm just waiting to see."
Webb seemed to indicate that he would undergo a physical Monday night to determine his status. "Tonight, I should get a pretty good clue of what training camp is going to be like for me," he said.
Cody agrees to contract
The organization agreed to a three-year deal in principle with nose tackle Terrence Cody, who should have a major impact on the team's run defense this season.
Cody, the second of the Ravens' two second-round picks this year, is expected to rotate with Kelly Gregg throughout the season. His strength and quickness stood out in the Ravens' offseason camps.
"We are really, really pleased with the player we see," defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "All the things we hoped, all the things we thought we saw either on film or at our workout or heard by word of mouth from coaches we respect ... all those things up to this point have been coming through."
Johnson's shoulder healthy
Linebacker Jarret Johnson declared his surgically repaired right shoulder healthy and ready for the coming season.
Johnson, who ranked third on the Ravens in tackles with 70 and second in sacks with six, started all 16 regular-season games and two playoff contests despite a torn labrum. Johnson, whose weight slipped to 246 pounds from last season's 262 pounds, said he has regained his full range of motion and strength.
"Had a good offseason," said Johnson, 28. "Took me a while rehabbing and stuff like that, but I got my weight back up after surgery, and it felt good. By minicamp, I was starting to work out with heavier weights. I didn't do a bunch of drills, but the drills I did do, I felt like after bumping into guys, it felt good. It's nice to get out and hit in pads and have it not hurt."
End zone
Harbaugh said he had yet to speak to right tackle Jared Gaither but said Gaither had been working with various orthotics to prevent the aggravating foot bruise that sidelined him for much of May. "He's been rehabbing on his own," Harbaugh said. "So we'll see how he feels." … Cornerback Cary Williams' two-game suspension for violating the league's personal-conduct policy hasn't diluted the team's interest in him. "Cary's still got to make our team and still has to prove that he can be a guy who can play corner in his league," Harbaugh said. "But we have high hopes for Cary. We think he's very talented. He's come a long way since what happened in Tennessee happened. He's got to put that behind him now." … Rookie defensive tackle Arthur Jones was the first player to report, driving five hours from Syracuse, N.Y., and arriving at 11 Monday morning at the Best Western in Westminster, the team's hotel. The 6-foot-3, 313-pound Jones, a fifth-round pick, said he fully expects his first training camp to be an eye-opening experience. "Oh, yeah, without a doubt, it should be a grind," he said. It wouldn't be a better way if it wasn't a grind. If it was easy, everyone would play football. So I'm excited to just get into it and get everything rolling."
Baltimore Sun reporter Jamison Hensley contributed to this article.
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