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Harbaugh says Ravens interested in Kaepernick

Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Thursday that he's been in contact with free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick this summer and the team is interested in his services, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

With Joe Flacco reportedly sidelined for three to six weeks because of a back injury, the team could be in the market for a quarterback. Harbaugh did not say the team is negotiating with Kaepernick, but alluded to being open to signing him.

"I've known Colin through my brother for many years," said Harbaugh, according to Rapoport. "And we talked and then got to know him very well when he scrimmaged here. He and I have been talking throughout the summer a number of times. We had some great conversations on the phone and it's really been a pleasure to talk to him and get to know him.

"I like history and politics too, and we've had some debates. He's a great guy. He's a guy right now that's being talked about. We'll just see what happens with that. Only speculation right now. He's a really good football player and like I said, I do he'll be playing in the National Football League this year."

Related: Could Flacco's injury finally open the door for Kaepernick?

Kaepernick played for Harbaugh's brother, Jim, with the San Francisco 49ers. And John Harbaugh coached against Kaepernick and the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

John Harbaugh expressed a strong belief that Kaepernick would be signed in March, calling it "intellectually lazy" to assume he was being blackballed for his political and social stances.

Kaepernick's only other reported interest came from the Seattle Seahawks, but it seems as though they may not have been particularly close to signing him.

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