Baltimore Ravens TE Ed Dickson upbeat about paling in season opener

The Baltimore Ravens have struggled with depth at tight end this training camp. After losing Dennis Pitta for the season they lost Ed Dickson as well. Dickson slightly tore his right hamstring two weeks ago and his availability for the season opener in Denver has been uncertain.

Dickson however is remaining optimistic about playing in the season opener.

“I always feel good about my chances,” Dickson said, via the Baltimore Sun. “When you’re dealing with an injury, it’s tough because dealing with a muscle pull you don’t want to come back too soon and aggravate it.

“It went pretty good. Actually, I didn’t have any soreness. When you first get out there, you want to test it a little bit and open it up, but they told me to be smart. I’m going by the rules and making sure I don’t aggravate it.”

Returning to practice two weeks ahead of the season opener is a huge step in the right direction.

“It’s good, obviously,” offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell said. “They’re kind of bringing him along slowly. Obviously, it shows that he’s making rapid improvement and we’re certainly glad to get him out there and get him some work.”

While Dickson is targeting the first game of the season as a return date, he isn’t promising he’ll be ready by then.

“I feel like I’m ready to get out there and do the things I need to do,” Dickson said. “Practice is just as hard as the game. If I can get to where I practice fully, I feel like I’ll be able to go. I couldn’t said I can’t, I can’t say I’m going to be able to go. I’m just training my hardest to get out there Week One.”

However, there is no chance he plays in Thursday night’s preseason game.

“I would think there’s zero chance of that,” Dickson said. “I can say that much.”