OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens were without a key member of their offensive line and their starting running back as they returned to the practice field ahead of Sunday’s AFC North clash with the improved Cincinnati Bengals.
Center Bradley Bozeman (back) was absent on Wednesday after sitting out much of the second half of the Week 6 blowout win over the Los Angeles Chargers due to a back injury sustained on the opening drive of the third quarter. Bozeman returned to the game briefly, but he played only 44 of 69 total offensive snaps with backup Trystan Colon spelling him at the center position.
“Day to day, I would say. It’s not serious,” said head coach John Harbaugh about Bozeman. “Not long-term serious at all. It’s day to day.”
It’s worth noting that the Ravens signed veteran center Adam Redmond to their practice squad a day after he worked out for the team. The 2016 undrafted free agent from Harvard has appeared in 18 career NFL games with Indianapolis and Dallas and spent the spring and summer with the Chicago Bears before being cut at the end of the preseason.
Running back Latavius (ankle) Murray sat out Wednesday’s practice after leaving the Chargers game late in the third quarter and not returning to action, leaving his Week 7 status up in the air. Starting each of the last three games, the 31-year-old currently ranks second on the Ravens in rushing (212 yards) and is averaging 3.6 yards per carry this season. Should Murray not be able to play against Cincinnati, veterans Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell would likely see expanded roles with Ty’Son Williams also returning to the mix after being a healthy scratch in two of the last three games.
“He has an ankle sprain, so we’re just going to have to monitor that day to day and see where we’re at,” said Harbaugh of Murray. “It’s one of those deals.”
Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva (knee), wide receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring), and cornerback Tavon Young (knee) also missed Wednesday’s practice with Watkins — who missed the Chargers game — believed to be the biggest question mark of the trio for Week 7. Villanueva has been limited with a left knee injury in recent weeks, but he hasn’t missed any game snaps since sitting out most of the second half of the Week 4 win at Denver. Of course, his long-term health becomes even more important now with former Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley out for the remainder of the season after undergoing another ankle surgery.
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Inside linebacker Patrick Queen was a limited participant with the thigh injury sustained in Sunday’s win. The 2020 first-round pick temporarily left the game and was limited to a season-low 19 snaps, but part of that reduced workload could be attributed to Queen’s move to the weak-side inside linebacker spot as veteran Josh Bynes started at the “Mike” position.
Taking part in his first practice since early September, Nick Boyle (knee) wasn’t listed on the injury report since he isn’t on the 53-man roster. The veteran blocking tight end was designated to return to practice from IR on Wednesday and worked with a bulky brace on his left knee.
After being claimed off waivers by the Ravens on Monday, third-year offensive tackle Brandon Knight was placed on the reserve-did not report list and has apparently elected not to play for Baltimore. The 6-foot-5, 314-pound Knight had appeared in 21 games and started 10 contests for Dallas over the last three seasons, but he had appeared in only one game for the Cowboys this year.
“I don’t really know the details of that,” Harbaugh said. “That was a personal decision on his part, so he’d have to answer that. I don’t know, but he decided not to report.”
The Bengals practiced without starting center Trey Hopkins, but that’s nothing unusual with the veteran lineman periodically receiving maintenance days for his surgically-repaired knee this season. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was a full participant in practice despite not conducting his media session with Bengals reporters as he recovers from a throat injury sustained a couple weeks ago.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: C Bradley Bozeman (back), OLB Justin Houston (non-injury), RB Latavius Murray (ankle), CB Jimmy Smith (non-injury), OT Alejandro Villanueva (knee), WR Sammy Watkins (thigh), CB Tavon Young (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: ILB Patrick Queen (thigh)
CINCINNATI
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Jalen Davis (ankle), C Trey Hopkins (knee), DT Josh Tupou (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S Ricard Allen (ankle), G Jackson Carman (non-injury), HB Chris Evans (hamstring), LS Clark Harris (knee), DE Trey Hendrickson (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION: QB Joe Burrow (throat), WR Mike Thomas (ankle)
