OWINGS MILLS, Md. — While the news on defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was favorable in terms of his availability for Sunday, the Ravens were hurting elsewhere on the defensive line as they made final preparations for the Steelers on Friday.
Ngata was listed as probable for Sunday night’s game, but defensive end Pernell McPhee did not practice and was listed as doubtful a day after declaring himself to be 100 percent. McPhee missed the Ravens’ last two games while nursing thigh and knee injuries.
Nose tackle Terrence Cody was also absent from Friday’s practice as he’s dealing with an arm injury. The third-year defensive lineman was added to Thursday’s injury report as a limited participant, an indication that he may have suffered an injury during practice.
After sitting out during the Ravens’ 55-20 win over the Oakland Raiders last week, Ngata practiced all week on a limited basis and declared he was feeling better after Friday’s practice. The seventh-year defensive lineman was active against Oakland, but coach John Harbaugh elected to rest the three-time Pro Bowl selection.
“I was able to practice all week and I feel good,” Ngata said. “It helped a lot. I didn’t re-tweak it or anything and I feel good.”
Right guard Marshal Yanda (knee/ankle) was listed as probable despite missing practice on Wednesday.
Harbaugh confirmed cornerback Jimmy Smith underwent sports hernia surgery in Philadelphia and expressed optimism that the 2011 first-round draft pick would be able to return to action before the end of the season.
Pittsburgh ruled out four players on Friday, including standout wide receiver Antonio Brown, safety Troy Polamalu, offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger and Polamalu were no surprises, but the Steelers will be without Brown, who has caught 42 passes for 499 yards and a touchdown this season. Reports from Pittsburgh had expressed doubt all week about his ability as the 24-year-old sat out practice all week with a high ankle sprain.
After missing the Steelers’ last four games with an Achilles tendon injury, running back Rashard Mendenhall is expected to start, but he will undoubtedly share carries with Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer.
BALTIMORE
OUT: CB Jimmy Smith (abs)
DOUBTFUL: DE Pernell McPhee (thigh)
QUESTIONABLE: DT Terrence Cody (arm), S Christian Thompson (thigh)
PROBABLE: S Sean Considine (knee/chest), LB Dannell Ellerbe (finger), WR Jacoby Jones (ankle), DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder/leg/neck), RB Ray Rice (toe), WR Torrey Smith (chest), LB Terrell Suggs (ankle), LB Courtney Upshaw (shoulder), G Bobbie Williams (ankle), G Marshal Yanda (ankle)
PITTSBURGH:
OUT: WR Antonio Brown (ankle), T Marcus Gilbert (ankle), S Troy Polamalu (calf), QB Ben Roethlisberger (right shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Stevenson Sylvester (hamstring)
PROBABLE: CB Curtis Brown (quad), S Ryan Clark (concussion), DE Brett Keisel (shoulder), RB Rashard Mendenhall (achilles), T Max Starks (ankle), CB Ivan Taylor (illness)
