Harbaugh would "get in trouble" by offering timeframe for WR1 return

Two of the most important and talented players for the Baltimore Ravens if they want to contend next season are currently not practicing with the rest of the team. Turns out Head Coach John Harbaugh won't give any detailed update on their status because that could "get him in trouble."

The no. 1 running back and no. 1 wide receiver of the Ravens, J.K. Dobbins, and Rashod Bateman respectively, have yet to join their teammates on the training camp fields. It's been nearly two weeks and all the pair has done is sit out practices for one reason (hold-in, Dobbins) or another (injury, Bateman).

Following Friday's Day 9 practice, Harbaugh was asked if he has any idea of when Bateman will be back and if he would join the team for the joint practices against the Washington Commanders, per Clifton Brown of BaltimoreRavens.com.

"I don't know, I haven't thought about that," Harbaugh told reporters as captured by Rocco DiSangro of FOX Baltimore. The coach added that Bateman (somehow) is "doing a really great job" and that "there is a chance he will be out there pretty soon."

Then, quickly after making those statements, the coach lost no time in remarking "I don't want to say for sure because that just gets me in trouble. Then you're going to say, 'Well, you said he's going to be back by a certain time.'"

Harbaugh is right in that everybody would jump to his neck if that were to happen and Bateman missed more time than expected.

However, it's rather disingenuous to think that giving out that sort of half-baked answer is going to solve any problems and remove all mystery from Bateman's unknown status halfway through training camp.

It looks like all we can do, considering the head coach approach to this ongoing situation, is just wait patiently for the next soft update or simply sit tight until we watch Bateman back practicing on the field.

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