Joe Flacco dealing with back injury as Ravens prepare to begin training camp

Joe Flacco is expected to miss time with a disc issue in his back as the Ravens open up training camp on Thursday.

The severity of the injury is not clear. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the injury could take three to six weeks to heal, while ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the team does not think it is serious and that he could miss just one week. Schefter added that Flacco injured his back lifting.

On Thursday, the team clarified it does not expect its starting quarterback to miss any time in the regular season as a result:

Flacco played in all 16 of the Ravens’ games in 2016, leading them to an 8-8 record. He threw for over 4,300 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions on the season. Flacco’s missed just six games in his career. A knee injury during the 2015 season ended his perfect streak of 137 career starts.

The Ravens have two other quarterbacks on the roster in Ryan Mallett and Dustin Vaughan. Even with the most optimistic estimates for Flacco’s recovery, the Ravens still may be forced to add another passer just to have a third quarterback for the early part of training camp.

The Ravens begin camp on Thursday, where head coach John Harbaugh will speak to the media after practice.

The news comes just a day after the team learned running back Kenneth Dixon would miss the season after having knee surgery. Earlier this offseason, the team also lost tight end Dennis Pitta (who was later released) to a hip injury and Tavon Young to a knee injury for the season.