Report: Ravens being investigated for use of full pads at minicamp

The NFL will be investigating the Baltimore Ravens for use of full pads at a recent rookie minicamp, a league source told ESPN's Jamison Hensley.

Since the new collective-bargaining agreement was passed in 2011, use of full pads before training camp is prohibited.

A team official said the Ravens were unaware of any investigation, but admitted that there was a five-minute period during rookie minicamp on May 6 when players were in pads for a non-contact punt-protection drill.

The Ravens did not believe that the rules concerning use of full pads applied to rookie minicamp, and were only meant for organized team activities. Ravens player-union representative and tight end Ben Watson clarified that is was a violation and the players were pulled of the field.

The team official assured that the accounts could be verified, as all practices are recorded.

A player would have to report the violation to the league or the union for an investigation to begin.