NFL preseason live updates: Week 3 schedule, training camp, analysis, joint practices, injuries and breaking news

OWINGS MILLS, Maryland — Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh says he is 100 percent healthy. That’s notable because this is one of the few times in his young NFL career he’s been able to say that.

Ojabo, a second-round pick out of Michigan in 2022, has played in just five games in two seasons. He played in just two games in 2022, his rookie season starting late after tearing his Achilles tendon at the Wolverines Pro Day. He played in just three games last year after an initial ankle injury developed into significant concerns with his knee.

Ojabo had ACL surgery in November and was only fully healthy last week. He then returned to the field and was quite disruptive in his 16 preseason games against the Atlanta Falcons. Ojabo was only credited with one quarterback hit, but he played fast and looked healthy, which was not the case for most of his career with the Ravens.

“It was definitely a slow process getting to my debut game,” Ojabo said. “Every step of the way, I felt like I was meant to do it.”

“Honestly, there is no better feeling. This is what I love. I love competing.”

Ojabo may be a key player for a Ravens team that led the league in sacks last season. They haven’t replaced veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who had 9 1/2 sacks last year, with a proven outside threat. The hope is that one or two of their young outside linebackers will grow into that role and complement projected starters Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh.

Of their young edge rushers, rookie Adisa Isaac, drafted in the third round, suffered another hamstring injury against the Falcons after missing much of the offseason with a hamstring injury in his other leg. Second-year outside linebacker Malik Hamm also suffered a season-ending knee injury early in training camp.

The Ravens need to explore other options and Ojabo took a step forward last Saturday.

“I thought he was really good,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I expect him to play like that, but it was really great to see that in the first game. He wasn’t hesitant at all. He was in good shape. He was in game day spirit and hadn’t played that much in the last few years. It was quite a statement for him in that regard.”