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As teams de-emphasize fullbacks, Ravens' Juszczyk keeps a role by doing a little of everything

Ravens fullback Kyle Juszczyk talks about the changing role of the fullback in the NFL and his Pro Bowl goal. (Barbara Haddock Taylor, Baltimore Sun video)

Ravens fullback Kyle Juszczyk went to Harvard, so he obviously can do the math.

The Ravens have four running backs they want to get involved, at least that many pass-catching tight ends and a bunch of wide receivers who figure to have roles on offense. And there's only one football to go around.

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It would be understandable if Juszczyk, a weapon in the Ravens' passing game the past two seasons, questioned how he's going to get the ball in his hands when the regular season begins.

"It would be easy to look at how many good tight ends we have because we have a plethora of them – great players," Juszczyk said after the Ravens' training camp practice Tuesday. "You look at how deep our running backs are this year. We probably have the best group that I've been a part of in the last four years. It's easy to wonder where you might fit in, but honestly, I just know that if I take care of what I can do, and I perform my best, I'll find my way on the field. Coaches will find a way to get me in there. It's not necessarily in my hands. I just know if I take care of my job, it will take care of itself."

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A year after Breshad Perriman endured a season-long melodrama, the Ravens are still waiting for their former No. 1 draft pick to play.

As the traditional and one-dimensional blocking fullback nears extinction in the NFL, Juszczyk continues to find ways to contribute for the Ravens, and justify his roster spot in the team's crowded backfield.

Early in Tuesday's practice, he was the lone participant in a blocking drill with an assistant coach. Later, he joined the rest of the offense and was used as a blocker on a run play. He then came out of the backfield to catch a pass during another sequence. He lined up outside on multiple occasions. Juszczyk also is a regular in many of the team's special teams drills.

"The snaps per game is always something with Kyle that I'm always inquiring about, in what ways can we use Kyle and how can we get him on the field, because he's a Swiss Army knife," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said earlier this summer. "He can do a lot of different things really well. We need to do a great job of finding things for him to do and get him on the field. There's a place for him, for sure. I think it's up to our creativity to make sure we've got him out there enough, because he's a really good football player."

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