OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Three months ago, the practice status of Ravens cornerbacks Anthony Averett and Chris Westry barely would have been a blip on the radar for one of the NFL’s deepest and most talented secondaries.
But times have changed after the pectoral tear to two-time Pro Bowl selection Marlon Humphrey, who officially joined three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters and starting safety DeShon Elliott on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday. Averett and Westry are likely to be Baltimore’s starting outside corners for Sunday’s AFC North rematch with Cleveland and for the remainder of the season — assuming they can stay healthy, of course.
Playing through an array of nagging injuries in recent weeks, Averett — who became the starter opposite Humphrey after Peters’ serious knee injury days before the season opener — sat out Wednesday with what was listed as a knee issue, but he spoke to reporters prior to practice, usually an indication that a player’s availability isn’t in doubt. In more positive news, Westry returned to practice as a full participant after missing his second straight game with a thigh injury. The second-year corner — who has played in five career games and spent nearly two months on IR because of a knee injury earlier this season — and 33-year-old veteran Jimmy Smith will be asked to help fill the void of the dynamic Humphrey, who was injured on Diontae Johnson’s game-winning touchdown catch late in Sunday’s 20-19 loss at Pittsburgh.
“You know you definitely can’t replace a guy like Marlon,” said Averett, noting how everyone remaining in the secondary must be prepared to be more versatile without Humphrey’s ability to move around the defense. “You know what type of player that he is when he comes on the field — definitely a ‘mojo’ guy for sure. But we’ve just got to keep playing — ‘next man up’ mentality. Nobody cares really. You’ve just got to keep going.”
Starting safety Brandon Stephens was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice due to a shoulder injury, another concern to add to a seemingly never-ending list for the back of the defense. Cornerback Kevon Seymour was activated from the reserver-COVID-19 list and practiced on a limited basis.
Baltimore was also without right tackle Patrick Mekari (hand), defensive end Calais Campbell (illness), fullback Patrick Ricard (back), and tight end Nick Boyle (illness/knee) during Wednesday’s practice.
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Offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James was activated from the non-football injury list and practiced for the first time since signing a two-year contract with Baltimore in June. The 29-year-old tore his Achilles tendon while training away from Denver’s practice facility in early May and was released by the Broncos shortly thereafter, paving his way to the Ravens.
Having opted out of the 2020 season because of the pandemic, the oft-injured James hasn’t played in an NFL game since Dec. 8, 2019 and has been limited to just 26 games since the start of the 2017 season. In other words, it’s far from a sure thing that he’ll be ready to play by season’s end, but his presence on the practice field was a positive development for a struggling offensive line short on options with Mekari expected to miss some time with a hand injury sustained against the Steelers. Second-year lineman Tyre Phillips struggled in Mekari’s place against the Steelers.
A 2014 first-round pick out of Tennessee, James has started 65 games for Miami and Denver and was signed more with an eye toward 2022, but the Ravens never ruled out the possibility of him returning to play late in the season.
“He would have a chance in December probably, I guess,” head coach John Harbaugh said in early November. “There’s been no setbacks. He looks good. I see him walking around. He’s in the meetings. He’s got great spirits. He’s been running straight ahead.”
Meanwhile, the Browns are still dealing with some injury concerns despite coming off their bye week as tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle) won’t play against the Ravens, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Given Cleveland’s preference for using multiple tight ends, that’s a notable development with David Njoku having been placed on the COVID-19 list on Tuesday, leaving his Week 14 status in doubt.
Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry sat out Wednesday’s practice with a lingering knee injury that’s limited his effectiveness this season. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was listed as a full participant after a week off to rest his various injuries.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Anthony Averett (knee), TE Nick Boyle (illness/knee), DE Calais Campbell (illness), OLB Justin Houston (non-injury), DB Anthony Levine (knee), OL Patrick Mekari (hand), FB Patrick Ricard (back)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Miles Boykin (finger), S Chuck Clark (non-injury), CB Kevon Seymour (illness), S Brandon Stephens (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION: OLB Jaylon Ferguson (illness), CB Chris Westry (thigh)
CLEVELAND
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Harrison Bryant (ankle), DT Malik Jackson (knee), WR Jarvis Landry (knee), WR Anthony Schwartz (concussion)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S Ronnie Harrison (ankle), C JC Tretter (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: QB Baker Mayfield (foot/left shoulder), LB Sione Takitaki (shoulder)
