Ravens Safety Earl Thomas Misses Practice After Skirmish With Chuck Clark

Ravens safety Earl Thomas III missed practice Saturday according to reporters at training camp. The absence came a day after he was sent home from the facility after a training camp skirmish with fellow safety Chuck Clark.

https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ravens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ravens safety Earl Thomas is not on the field at the start of practice today.

Also, MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson is absent.

— Aaron Kasinitz (@AaronKazreports) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronKazreports/status/1297160375704616960

Thomas and Clark's spat was over a missed coverage by Thomas, which led to the heated exchange. Clark later left the practice, which was nearing its conclusion. 

On Saturday afternoon, Thomas posted to Instagram about the situation confirming it was a mental error on his part. 

https://twitter.com/Andrew_Gillis70/status/1297213814195269638

It was the second time Thomas has been in the headlines for a heated exchange, as he reportedly had one with defensive lineman Brandon Williams after last season's 40-25 loss to the Browns in Week 4. 

Assistant head coach David Culley said Saturday it was an "organizational decision" to keep Thomas out of practice and also added that coach John Harbaugh will address it moving forward. Harbaugh didn't speak to reporters Saturday, which was regularly scheduled. 

RELATED: EARL THOMAS EXPLAINS FIGHT WITH CHUCK CLARK

Thomas, 31, is now in the second year of a four-year, $55 million contract with the Ravens. Clark, a homegrown Ravens safety, signed an extension in the offseason as well which appeared to give the Ravens their safety tandem for the next few years. 

Last year, in Thomas' first year as a Raven, he played in 15 games and made two interceptions with 49 total tackles. Previously, he spent nine years in Seattle where he made up part of the famed "Legion of Boom" secondary.

Were Thomas to miss time, the Ravens have Clark as a returning safety from last season. In a starting role, Clark shined after Tony Jefferson went down with a season-ending injury.

Jordan Richards, who mostly played on special teams, and DeShon Elliott, who finished the last two years on injured reserve, are also on the roster and would likely see increased reps. They're the only two other safeties with NFL experience. 

The Ravens drafted safety Geno Stone out of Iowa in the 7th round of this year's draft, which was lauded by some as one of the biggest steals of the draft. The Ravens also signed undrafted free agent Nigel Warrior out of Tennessee.

But where the Ravens go from here with Thomas, however, is unclear. 

https://twitter.com/Ravens?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ravens situation with Earl Thomas could come to a head today. Sources said the team's Leadership Council made it clear to decision makers they would prefer Thomas not be around. Cap hit could be issue but "conduct detrimental" clause provides potential avenue for relief

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/1297154324469030913

Thomas is due base salaries of 10, 11 and 12 million dollars over the next three seasons, with a cap number of 15, 16 and 17 million dollars over that time.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that "everything" is on the table for Thomas and the Ravens over the next few days and weeks. That includes a release, according to Garafolo.

https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ravens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ravens. https://t.co/6Aj4dZCnug

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1297172863829585922

Should the Ravens decide to release the seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro, Pro Football Talk reported there is a potential out for the Ravens, if he's suspended by the Ravens for conduct detrimental to the team. 

That would mean the Ravens would be clear of paying him his $10 million of guaranteed money for the 2020 season. It wouldn't, however, void a $5 million cap hit in 2020, or another $10 million hit in 2021. The team would reportedly get a $10 million credit in 2021.

Also according to OverTheCap, the Ravens have $7.428 million in cap space, 26th most in the league. The Ravens aren't in a position to bring in a high profile replacement for Thomas, should the situation require.

Either way, it's a situation in Baltimore that isn't going to go away anytime soon. The Ravens are scheduled to practice at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon, which should provide at least a little more clarity about Thomas' situation.

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Ravens safety Earl Thomas misses practice after skirmish with Chuck Clark originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

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