Steve Smith Among Players Expected To Benefit From Extra Week Of Rest
By Daniel Benjamin
The Baltimore Ravens are thankful that they are on their bye week. The Ravens have been ravaged by injuries since their Week 5 game against the Washington Redskins with several key players missing action the past few weeks. Five of the seven players on the Ravens’ inactive list against the New York Jets last week were former Pro Bowl selections. Coach John Harbaugh said that he expects most of the players dealing with injuries to be ready when the Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 6.
“We have a chance to, hopefully, put the finishing touches on a number of these recoveries and hopefully be as close to or at full strength coming back.”
The Ravens have not practiced since Wednesday. NFL rules permit teams to practice just twice on their bye weeks.
Three players returned to practice this week
Ronnie Stanley appears to be the most likely of all the players as he practiced all last week as well as both days this week. Still, the mammoth six-foot-six rookie starting left tackle missed his fourth straight game against the Jets with a foot injury. When Stanley is going to return to the lineup is anyone’s guess.
Perennial Pro Bowlers Marshal Yanda and Terrell Suggs also practiced both days after missing the past two games. There is still uncertainty whether Yanda (right shoulder) will play against the Steelers, though he is expected to practice all next week.
Suggs is hopeful to play against the Steelers. The 34-year-old wore a brace on his left bicep the last two days. He leads the team with five sacks and is definitely an important figure in the Ravens' overall defense.
Updates on Joe Flacco and Tavon Young
Flacco played through his right shoulder injury against the Jets, and while he said that it was fine after the game, he struggled mightily with his accuracy. Flacco reportedly will rehab and work on strengthening his shoulder this week.
Young is in the league’s concussion protocol after suffering a head injury on Sunday. He wore a red non-contact jersey during practice.
Steve Smith Sr. and Mike Wallace among the players to miss practice this week
Smith, C.J. Mosley and Elvis Dumervil have not practiced since being injured against Washington. Mosley (hamstring) is probably the most likely of the three to return in time for the game against the Steelers as Smith is still nursing an ankle injury. Dumervil seems to be the player furthest from returning as no timetable has been set for him coming back. Shareece Wright (thigh) also hasn’t practice since missing the Jets game.
Devin Hester, Terrence West, Dennis Pitta, Ladarius Webb, Mike Wallace and Albert McClelland also didn’t practice this week. Hester has a groin issue that has bothered him since Week 2, despite the fact he has only missed one game. He is hoping that rest and rehab will help him be fully recovered by next week.
West returned to the game on Sunday after tweaking his ankle on the first play of the game, while Webb did not return after leaving with a hamstring injury. In addition, rookie linebacker Kamalei Correi missed Wednesday’s practice after limping off the practice field and into the locker room. Pitta, Wallace and McClelland are presumed to be healthy.
S Matt Elam returns to practice
The Ravens designated safety Matt Elam to return from injured reserve. Elam is not eligible to play in a game until November 10. He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee late in August after getting injured in Week 3 of the preseason.
