It appears that offensive tackle Jake Long won't be joining the Ravens after all.
The Ravens have been unable to find compromise with Long after the player's physical turned up some concerns about his twice surgically repaired right knee. Long tore his ACL in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
The two sides agreed to terms on a one-year contract earlier this week. However, the deal was contingent on the 31-year-old passing a physical. The Ravens were concerned about the condition of Long's knee and asked him to get a second opinion from renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. The team didn't want to be liable if Long reinjured his knee.
Long, who played in seven games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, has been reluctant to sign an injury waiver as part of the contract with the Ravens. He told ESPN that he was "enthused" by the results of his examination with Andrews and he remains focused on playing this season. Long remains a free agent.
The Ravens, meanwhile, remain in the market for a veteran offensive tackle. Their top reserves behind projected starters Ronnie Stanley and Rick Wagner are James Hurst, De'Ondre Wesley and rookie fourth-round pick Alex Lewis.
In failing to get a deal done with Long, the Ravens have a vacancy on their 90-man roster. They can use it to sign a veteran tackle or to add another running back with Kenneth Dixon (knee), Trent Richardson (knee) and Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) all sidelined.
End zone
Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams, who could be a free agent after the 2016 season, declined to address whether his agent has engaged in any contract negotiations with the Ravens. "I'm just worried about football," Williams said. "They can worry about whatever they need to worry about, but that is above my pay grade." … Delaware football coach Dave Brock was on the sidelines for Friday's practice. Quarterback Joe Flacco and tight end Nick Boyle both played at Delaware. … The Ravens will practice with pads for the first time Saturday, the first of three straight practices in pads — the last being Monday night at M&T Bank Stadium — before a day off Tuesday.