Cornerback Marlon Humphrey did not feel like himself last year after suffering multiple setbacks, but is slimmer and mentally stronger now.
Having to undergo surgery of any kind during training camp is never a good omen for an NFL player, especially when it involves a lower extremity for a skill position player on either side of the ball.
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey had no idea that when he went in for a precautionary MRI on his foot at the onset of training camp last year his 2023 season would be marred by seemingly one injury-related setback back after another.
The foot surgery he had to undergo cost him the first four games of the regular season but the former high school track star just kept getting faced with new hurdles when it came to his health.
“Every time I thought I was pretty healthy, it seemed like I got hurt the next game,” Humphrey said Tuesday.
Cornerback is one of the most physically demanding and mentally taxing positions to play in football because it requires players to be instinctual, explosive and have short memories so they don’t spiral into despair after giving up a play.
In his first game back, Humphrey wound up giving up the game-winning touchdown to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, who got behind him in one-on-one coverage with no safety help. It marked the first touchdown Humphrey had given up in nearly two years after he went all of 2022 without giving one up on 626 pass coverage snaps according to Pro Football Focus in his third Pro Bowl season.
It was clear on that play Humphrey wasn’t back to his old self and who would expect him to be in his first time seeing live action against a division rival? Nevertheless, he didn’t feel like himself and the calf injury that caused him to miss a pair of games in the middle of the season flared up again down the stretch and into the playoffs.
“Last year was a unique year. It was a lot of firsts,” Humphrey said. “ I’m a mental guy, so I always go into any game thinking I’m ready to go. The first game [last year], I sprinted one time before I played in the first game, on that Friday, so there were a lot of things.”
Outside of missing the final five games of the 2021 season with a torn pectoral muscle, Humphrey had never really had to deal with injuries. Even that setback wasn’t as big of a deal given the nature of the injury and it would ultimately wind up being an injury-ravaged season for the entire team. Last season was a totally different beast when it came to being faced with mental and physical adversity for the former first-rounder.
“I wasn’t really used to being hurt a lot,” Humphrey said. So, it was just something I wasn’t used to. I know a lot of guys go into games hurt – every single game. I’ve done that a ton in my past, as well, but last year just was a little different for me, but I’m kind of ready for whatever this year.”
Some of his biggest regrets from last season were not taking advantage of the opportunities to get mental reps, focusing on the areas of he could improve and not resting enough during the rehabilitation process between injuries.
“I had certain injuries where you needed rest, and I think I overtook some of the rest time, and then just thought I could just play in the game Sunday and be my usual self,” Humphrey said.
All the lessons he learned by going through such an arduous journey last year reshaped his mindset and approach to preparing for the 2024 season where he hopes to bounce back and start playing like his old self again.
“What I’ve tried to do this offseason is to prepare a little better for even when you’re hurt, getting whatever … You’ve got to prepare for the worst,” Humphrey said. “Even if your leg is hurt, what can you do to still get mental reps? And also, just breathing as much as you can; doing anything with your arms and getting whatever you can.”
Part of his physical transformation this offseason was shedding some weight and slimming down in order to regain what he feels is his best form when has been the most successful.
“I looked at the past, I looked at my better seasons, and I was a little bit lighter those years, so I decided to get around a little bit lower of a weight,” Humphrey said. “I’ve been feeling [and] moving pretty well at it, so we’ll kind of see how it wiggles around with training camp. “
One of the key resources in his fitness journey has been the services of the team’s director of sports nutrition, Sarah Snyder.
“I’ve been really trying to lean on the resources the Ravens offer, do things the right way instead of my usual, which is just don’t eat – which is not the best route,” Humphrey said. “I’ve really, really been trying to slim up a little bit and go with the plan that she’s put out for me.”
After playing the last few seasons at around 200 pounds, he is down to 190 and even his teammates have noticed the difference.
“I actually did notice it a little bit. He was getting a little gut last year,” safety Kyle Hamilton said with chuckle at a Tuesday press conference. “He wasn’t playing a lot – he just had a little chunkiness, but he dropped it. He’s at his property in [Alabama] doing the workouts, and he’s looking good. He’s got the abs back – he’s looking good out there. He’s running, he’s covering very well right now, and I’m excited to see him this year.”
Through the first few days of training camp, Humphrey has been among the brightest standouts and appears poised for a bounce-back season after an offseason of receiving some harsh criticism and skepticism from pundits and aggregators.
.@marlon_humphrey ❗ pic.twitter.com/n2iplb5oa8
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 24, 2024
“Having Marlon Humphrey at full speed and at his best would be massively beneficial, and that’s what we expect him to be,” head coach John Harbaugh said Sunday. “He’s in great shape. You saw it today in practice; he looked great. He gives us some great versatility in the back end [with] moving guys around. So, I would never discount Marlon Humphrey, if I was an opponent. I believe in Marlon. I think he’s one of the best players – one of the very, very best corners – in the National Football League.”