Baltimore Ravens Accused Of Violating NFL Off-Season Regulations

BALTIMORE, MD — The Baltimore Ravens will lose two workouts this week and face fines based on an alleged violation of NFL rules governing OTAs, or organized team activities, during the off season. It is the third time the NFL has called foul on the Ravens for their off-season workouts.

"Our team has been singled out for pass coverage contact during the early part of OTAs," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement Wednesday.

During the off-season, "contact work" such as tackling and pass rushing is prohibited, according to the NFL Players Association.

"We have players competing, including rookies and those fighting to make our team," General Manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement Wednesday. "Sometimes breaking old practice habits of these players, especially rookies, takes more repetitions."

Newsome, who watches the practices and reviews them on tape, said Harbaugh and the staff are diligent about correcting players and addressing the proper way to practice and pace off-season workouts.

The rules governing the off-season are outlined in the NFL's collective bargaining agreement.

Harbaugh and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti will be fined $100,000 and $50,000 respectively, according to NFL Insider.

Practices will be canceled for Thursday, June 7, and Friday, June 8, according to the Ravens, which reported the team is still scheduled to report for mandatory mini-camp from Tuesday, June 12, to Thursday, June 14.

The NFL also found the Ravens to be in violation of off-season rules in 2010 and 2016. The most recent violation involved using pads during a non-contact punt protection drill, according to the Ravens. In 2010 the team had to cancel two special teams practices, ESPN reported, for keeping players late at practice and for too long on the field.

SEE ALSO: Baltimore Ravens Under Scrutiny Over Practice Attire

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Image via Shutterstock/David Lee.

Ravens statements regarding the NFL ruling: pic.twitter.com/ia0XP5V4Qs
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 6, 2018