Zay Flowers highlights the brutal nature of John Harbaugh's practices

Load management isn’t just an NBA conversation. It has quietly become one of the most debated topics across all of sports, including the NFL. The question feels simple on the surface. How much is too much? But when you dig deeper, especially in a sport built on contact and an organization like the Baltimore Ravens, the answer becomes far more complicated. Football will never be soft. It can't be. It's more than a 'contact sport'. It's a collision sport by nature. Still, rule changes and evolving philosophies have pushed teams toward limiting contact in practice, all in the name of player safety and long-term availability.

That’s where things get interesting for the Ravens. Recently, Zay Flowers appeared on the 4th And South w/ Jarvis Landry & Leonard Fournette podcast and offered insight into the physically demanding nature of practices under John Harbaugh. At one point, he even suggested that the intensity could contribute to injuries.

It's a perspective that adds fuel to an already ongoing debate.

For some, physical practices are necessary. The logic is straightforward. The only way to improve tackling, blocking, and physical execution is to actually do it. For others, the risk simply isn't worth it, especially when injuries in August can derail a season before it begins. Ravens fans don't have to think too hard to find an example.

Back in 2021, Baltimore lost three running backs over a 12-day span that included training camp and the preseason. J.K. Dobbins tore his ACL in the preseason finale. Gus Edwards tore his ACL during practice. Justice Hill ruptured his Achilles tendon in practice. That crippled the Ravens' backfield before Week 1 ever arrived. Moments like that stick, and they shape how teams approach preparation.

Now, with Jesse Minter stepping into a larger leadership role, there's another layer to consider. Will the Ravens maintain that same edge in practice, or will they adjust to the league's shifting mindset? That's the balancing act every team faces.

Flowers states that Coach Minter has assured him that practices this spring and summer are "going to be a little easier on your body.” That's good news, right? In today's NFL, it's not just about building toughness. It's about surviving long enough to use it when the games actually matter. Still, no one should be shocked when this is again a conversation come training camp and the preseason, and if Flowers' statement is used for reference.