The Baltimore Ravens have been hit with a punishment from the NFL for violating the league's collective bargaining agreement by using full pads at a rookie minicamp.
Per the Ravens' official Twitter account, they are required to forfeit one week of organized team activities from June 1-3, with the team and head coach John Harbaugh also being issued separate fines for the violation.
The Ravens also released a short statement after the NFL announced discipline against the team, via the team's official Twitter account:
ESPN's Jamison Hensley reported on May 18 the Ravens were being investigated for having players in full pads during a rookie minicamp.
A Ravens official told Hensley about "a five-minute period on May 6 when rookies and first-year players suited up in pads during a non-contact punt protection drill." The official did note at the time the team was not aware of any investigation.
The official added that the Ravens "believed rookie minicamp didn't fall under the same rules as the organized team activities," but that players were immediately taken off the field after tight end Benjamin Watson, who is Baltimore's union representative, clarified the rule.
Hensley noted that a player must report a violation to the league or the NFL Players Association for an investigation to take place.
Under terms of the NFL collective bargaining agreement implemented in 2011, teams are not allowed to implement full-pad practices until training camp.
This is not the first time the Ravens have run afoul of the NFL's rules on practices. They had to forfeit the final week of organized team activities in 2010 after it was determined players were being held on the field after practices and the nature of drills being conducted on OTA days.
Even though the wallets for Harbaugh and Baltimore's ownership will be a little lighter, the Ravens are not ultimately shouldne to be hurt by this punishment. They will open training camp in two months and everyone will be dressed in full pads and ready to prepare for the 2016 season.
Read more Baltimore Ravens news on BleacherReport.com
from Bleacher Report - Baltimore Ravens http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2642594-ravens-fined-lose-1-week-of-otas-for-violating-offseason-workout-rules
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