OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Wednesday’s practice brought some good news and more bad news for the Ravens as they continued preparations for a trip to San Francisco this weekend.
Wide receiver Steve Smith (back) and tight end Crockett Gillmore (calf) returned to practice on a limited basis, but nine others were absent as the Ravens try to climb out of a 1-4 hole to begin the 2015 season. Linebacker Elvis Dumervil (groin), running back Justin Forsett (ankle), guard Marshal Yanda (ankle), cornerback Lardarius Webb (hamstring), defensive end Chris Canty (calf), safety Terrence Brooks (thumb), and wide receivers Breshad Perriman (knee), Darren Waller (concussion), and Chris Givens (ankle) were not present for Wednesday’s workout.
Smith was on the field and running routes less than two weeks after suffering microfractures in his back in the Week 4 win over Pittsburgh. The 36-year-old missed Sunday’s game against Cleveland, but the Ravens have remained hopeful that he can return as early as this week against the 49ers.
Gillmore’s return to practice was anticipated after he was moving around well in a pre-game workout on Sunday. The second-year tight end missed the last two games after injuring his calf in the first half of the Week 3 loss to Cincinnati.
Dumervil injured his groin in the first half of Sunday’s loss to Browns and did not return to the game. The Ravens’ decision to release veteran Jason Babin on Tuesday was viewed by some as a positive sign regarding Dumervil’s status, but his absence was not an encouraging sign to support that.
Turning 30 on Wednesday, Forsett injured his ankle on the final drive of regulation on Sunday and was unavailable in overtime. Head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the veteran back is not dealing with a high ankle sprain, leaving the door open for him to possibly play against the 49ers. Backup running back Lorenzo Taliaferro was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury on Wednesday, further depleting depth at the position.
Needless to say, the Ravens are very thin at running back, wide receiver, and outside linebacker at the moment as injuries have told a major part of the 2015 story so far. Current practice-squad running back Terrence Magee and outside linebacker Brennen Beyer are names to remember as potential candidates to be promoted to the 53-man roster later in the week.
The newly-signed Shareece Wright and the newly-promoted Asa Jackson and Charles James were all taking part in Wednesday’s practice as part of a revamped secondary. Wright will wear No. 35, Jackson No. 27, and James No. 32 as the Ravens try to improve the league’s 25th-ranked pass defense.
Meanwhile, the 49ers were without five starters during Wednesday’s practice as starting running back Carlos Hyde (foot) and left tackle Joe Staley (knee) were among the absentees.
Below is Wednesday’s injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: S Terrence Brooks (thumb), DE Chris Canty (calf), LB Elvis Dumervil (thigh), RB Justin Forsett (ankle), WR Chris Givens (ankle), WR Breshad Perriman (knee), WR Darren Waller (concussion), CB Lardarius Webb (thigh), G Marshal Yanda (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Crockett Gillmore (calf), WR Steve Smith (back)
SAN FRANCISCO
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: G Alex Boone (shoulder), LB Navarro Bowman (non-injury), LB Ahmad Brooks (non-injury, shoulder), RB Reggie Bush (calf), RB Carlos Hyde (foot), T Joe Staley (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Vernon Davis (knee), TE Vance McDonald (chest)
