The NFL believes the Baltimore Ravens were aware of noncontact practice rules at a recent minicamp but still moved forward, which will factor into any potential discipline, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The team is being investigated for using full pads at a recent rookie minicamp, which is a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. There was a five-minute period on May 6 when rookies and first-year players suited up in pads during a noncontact punt protection drill.
A Ravens source told ESPN's Jamison Hensley earlier this week that the team believed rookie minicamp didn't fall under the same rules as the organized team activities and immediately pulled players off the field once it received clarification from players' union representative Benjamin Watson.
Teams are not allowed to suit up in full pads until training camp. Offseason rules have become more strict since 2011, when the latest CBA was passed.