OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The response was predictable, but the question had to be asked on the eve of the Ravens’ Thanksgiving showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.
Was there any update on the status of injured linebacker Ray Lewis from the Ravens head coach?
“None that I would share,” John Harbaugh said. “I really don’t know. It’s not like we have some secret that we’re holding back from anybody on any of these guys. We’ve got three, four, five guys that are up in the air. Our biggest issue right now is nicks and bumps and bruises. If you want to make a comparison, they’re healthy. We’re not quite as healthy right now, and that’s something we’ll be crossing our fingers for with different guys like that.”
Harbaugh was likely also referring to cornerback Chris Carr (back) and defensive tackle Arthur Jones, who did not practice on Monday or Tuesday, as well as Dannell Ellerbe (thigh) and safety Haruki Nakamura (thigh), who were limited participants on both says.
After sustaining a toe injury in the loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 13, Lewis missed his first game since the 2007 season finale when he stood on the sideline during the Ravens’ 31-24 win over the Bengals. Listed as a limited participant for light practices on Monday and Tuesday, media were not allowed to view Wednesday’s practice.
Lewis was listed as questionable for last week’s game before ultimately sitting out, making it likely he’s labeled with the same designation for the Thanksgiving night game.
Smith’s record-setting day recognized
His 165 receiving yards against the Cincinnati Bengals set a Ravens’ single-game and single-season record for a rookie, but wide receiver Torrey Smith took home another honor on Wednesday: AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
His 38-yard touchdown catch proved to be the game-winning score in the 31-24 victory, but Smith’s performance was also the third best day by a receiver — in terms of receiving yards — in the 16-year history of the franchise. Only Qadry Ismail against Pittsburgh in 1999 (258) and Derrick Alexander against Pittsburgh in 1996 (198) were more productive days.
Smith broke Mark Clayton’s record for receiving yards by a rookie with 590 in the first 10 games of the season. Clayton, the Ravens’ first-round pick in 2005, posted 471 receiving yards in his rookie campaign.
The former Maryland standout is also the only Ravens wideout to ever post dual 150-yard performances in a season.
Back in black (and white)
As was announced prior to the season, the Ravens will be wearing their black jerseys for the first Thanksgiving game in Ravens history.
However, unlike their Sunday night game against the New York Jets on Oct. 2, the Ravens will not be wearing black pants to complete the “blackout” look popular among most fans. Instead, Baltimore will wear white pants with the black alternates for the fourth time in the history of the franchise.
“I am a uniform guy,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “I like [that] you can wear different things. I always wanted to wear the throwback [uniforms] with the old Ravens logo. I always want to change the uniform up. It’s good any time that you can have some variety, kind of give the fans a different look.”
The Ravens are 3-0 when wearing the combination of black jerseys and white pants and first wore the combination in a 2008 Sunday night game against the Washington Redskins. Baltimore also beat the Chicago Bears in 2009 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season while wearing the black-white combo.
When wearing the black jerseys — with white or black pants — the Ravens enjoy an 8-2 record.
Odds & ends
Referee John Parry and his crew will officiate Thursday night’s game between the Ravens and 49ers. … The forecast is predicting a temperature of 54 degrees for kickoff. … The Ravens have won 15 of their last 16 games at M&T Bank Stadium and are 24-5 at home under Harbaugh. … Baltimore is also looking for its eighth consecutive win at home. The Ravens’ seven-game home winning streak ranks as the NFL’s second longest, behind only Green Bay. … With a win on Thursday, the Ravens would reach the 8-3 mark for just the second time in team history. The only start better in franchise history would be a 9-2 mark after 11 games in 2006.
