BLOG: Ravens Vs. Texans - Round II
As I mentioned before, it doesn't look like the early bye week helped the injured Ravens very much. Lee Evans, according to Coach Harbaugh, will not play in Sunday's game due to the fact that he hasn't practiced and will be more than rusty, to say the least.
"We thought he'd be fine by now," Harbaugh said. "It's been very disappointing."
With Evans out, you can expect rookie Torrey Smith to bring his speed to the receiving game.
Looking at the offensive line, I would first like to apologize to Michael Oher for walking in front of his corn hole game today in the locker room, it looks like guard Ben Grubbs could sit out as well. Grubbs, who has been nursing a toe injury, was stepped on at practice yesterday and is day-to-day according to Harbaugh. Andre Gurode will likely fill in at left guard.
Chris Carr is still dealing with a nagging hamstring injury and says he will not return to the field until he is 100 percent. He also joked that no more corner backs can get injured -- think Domonique Foxworth and Jimmy Smith. Carr is likely out for Sunday's game as well.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the players didn't seem to care that Derrick Mason was returning to Baltimore for the second time this season. Even though Mason could give the Texans a hint or two about the Ravens' offense, Bernard Pollard and Vonta Leach -- both ex-Texans -- have given Baltimore the same kind of information. Pollard made a point to tell reporters he has no hard feelings the Texans did not re-sign him and says he understands the game of football is a business.
The team will honor the late Patricia Modell on Sunday as well with a "PBM" on the back of the Ravens' helmets. Coach Harbaugh spoke fondly of Patricia, who recently passed at the age of 80, and called her one of the best storytellers who had the ability to make you laugh and cry at the same time. Terrell Suggs added that she was like a mother to all the players and brought a smile to everyone's face.
One last note, the Ravens have asked fans to arrive at the stadium early on Friday to avoid the long lines at M&T Bank Stadium's entrance.
