Ravens coach John Harbaugh joked all his players had earned an afternoon off except for veteran kicker Matt Stover.

So Harbaugh made him earn it for the whole team — by making a 48-yard field goal.

As the ball just snuck inside the left upright, the players went wild, jumping in a huddle near the spot of the kick to end morning practice.

“I think that was worse than kicking a game-winner because you don’t want to let your guys down,” Stover said.

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Players still were required to attend meetings on Tuesday afternoon, but Harbaugh said his team needed a rest before a few crucial days of practice leading up to its home preseason opener against Minnesota on Saturday.

“[If Stover missed the kick,] I don’t think anybody would have talked to him for the next couple of days,” linebacker Antwan Barnes said.

Neal newest raven

The Ravens added Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal to their roster on Tuesday. The 37-year-old free agent, who was released by San Diego in February, passed a physical Tuesday morning and will join the team immediately, Harbaugh said.

The Ravens released Justin Green on Monday, leaving Le’Ron McClain as the lone fullback on the roster.

Neal, a four-time Pro Bowler, has paved the way for a running back to rush for at least 1,000 yards in 11 straight seasons, making him the favorite to start the regular season opener against the Bengals on Sept. 7.

Neal’s presence also allows McClain to see more time at running back, according to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

“With [running back Willis McGahee’s injury] situation, it helps us,” said Cameron, who coached Neal for four seasons as offensive coordinator in San Diego. “It gives us some depth we didn’t have.”

Neal, who joined his seventh NFL team, ran for 32 yards on 13 carries and acted as lead blocker for All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson in eight games last season.

“Our players all know him and respect him,” Harbaugh said. “All our linebackers have been hit by him. He’s the kind of guy we want on our football team.”

McGahee update and other additions

Harbaugh said McGahee had his left knee successfully scoped in Miami, and the surgery showed less damage than originally thought. But he did not give a timetable for the starting running back’s return.

The Ravens also signed defensive lineman Darrell Campbell and linebacker Terrence Melton to replace running back P.J. Daniels (shoulder) and linebacker Prescott Burgess (arm), who were placed on injured reserve on Monday. Tight end Lee Vickers was cut and replaced on the roster by tight end Keith Heinrich. — AP

eric.detwelier@baltimoreexaminer.com