The Ravens led the NFL in penalties last season, and the problem was exacerbated early on in the year, as they committed 21 offensive infractions in the season’s first four games.

At organized team activities on Tuesday, the issue reared its head again. Baltimore was flagged for at least five false start penalties during team periods and multiple other infractions by the starting group.

“That’s not very good,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “It’s disappointing. I watch it, I’m as disappointed as anyone, but we’re going to continue (using a hard count cadence), we’re going to continue to chart (penalties) and the guys that continue to get penalties will struggle to get on the field.”

Monken said the coaching staff discussed during the offseason how the offense could become better at using multiple cadences, which are words or phrases the quarterback uses before the snap. More repetitions in the summer, despite the sloppiness, was seen as a possible solution.

Star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s absence from Tuesday’s voluntary practice certainly did not help with the infractions. Jackson is one of the top signal-callers in the league and, in his third season under Monken, has complete command of the offense, so the unit was obviously uncomfortable without him.

Still, it’s only the fourth OTA practice of the year and the playoff rematch against Buffalo is still 96 days away. That’s why Monken is comfortable working out the kinks when the only audience is coaches and reporters.

“The reality is we can’t give in to just going to one cadence,” Monken said. “So we’ve got to work it now.”

An emerging secondary piece

Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis played less than 100 snaps and appeared in just four games last season. He started just one game, against Cleveland, and allowed six receptions on seven targets, according to Pro Football Focus.

But the 2022 fourth-round draft pick earned a majority of the first-team corner reps on Tuesday alongside Nate Wiggins. Armour-Davis made a couple of nice plays, including a well-defended pass breakup against DeAndre Hopkins in the red zone.

With safety and nickelback Ar’Darius Washington likely to miss the entire season because of an Achilles tendon injury, Armour-Davis could slot in as the third corner behind Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey.

Rush’s in

No Jackson meant extended action for newly signed backup quarterback Cooper Rush. The former Cowboy went 9-5 as a starter in Dallas and signed a two-year, $6.2 million deal with the Ravens this offseason.

Rush completed 8 of 11 passes during the 11-on-11 period and 1 of 3 in the red zone drill. He threw to his checkdown often and rarely looked to push the ball downfield.

“He’s a pro, it’s why he’s made it in the NFL as long as he has,” Monken said. “He’s not Lamar, so he’s got to know where to go with the ball, be on time. … And being able to get the ball out and get it to the checkdown.”

Flowers is healthy

Perhaps no player could have felt more frustrated during last year’s playoff loss to the Bills than Zay Flowers. The wide receiver missed the contest because of a knee injury and was forced to watch from home.

“I couldn’t really do nothing about (the loss),” Flowers said.

Flowers said he’s fully healthy now, though, and coming off a Pro Bowl appearance, is regarded around the league as a true No. 1 option. With Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Hopkins, and tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews, the Ravens’ receiving corps seems poised for another strong year.

“Top everything that I did last year, prove to everybody that say whatever I can’t do, I can do,” Flowers said.

Defensive depth chart

Two of the Ravens’ Pro Bowl players, safety Kyle Hamilton and defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike, missed Tuesday’s optional practice, which opened up some playing time for reserves. The main pieces working with the defensive starters were as follows:

Defensive line: Odafe Oweh, Broderick Washington Jr., Tavius Robinson, David Ojabo and Travis Jones

Linebackers: Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson

Secondary: Nate Wiggins, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Marlon Humphrey, Beau Brade and Malaki Starks

Rookie edge rusher Mike Green mainly practiced with the second- and third-stringers.

A strong kicking day

Tyler Loop, a sixth-round draft pick who was hand-picked to succeed the recently cut Justin Tucker, made all of his field goal attempts, although none were from over 45 yards. Coach John Harbaugh said last week that Loop and John Hoyland, an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming, would alternate practice days.

Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230.