Less than a week after making his return to action, questions persist about the status of Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell.
The five-time Pro Bowl selection has missed three straight practices and was officially designated as questionable for Monday night’s clash with Cleveland. After missing three consecutive games with a calf injury and then a COVID-19 infection, Campbell played 23 defensive snaps and 13 additional ones on special teams in Tuesday’s win over Dallas, appearing limited at multiple points.
After saying the 34-year-old made it through the game healthy on Thursday, head coach John Harbaugh offered little clarity as to why Campbell hadn’t practiced all week.
“It’s a matter of a lot of things; it’s never a matter of one thing,” Harbaugh said. “So, that’s part of the process.”
Cornerback Jimmy Smith (groin) was listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis for the second straight day. His return would offer a lift to a secondary trying to slow Baker Mayfield and a Browns passing game performing at a higher level in recent weeks. Veteran cornerback Tramon Williams (thigh) was listed as doubtful after missing practices all week.
Backup tight end Luke Willson was designated as questionable after missing Saturday’s workout with a hip injury while defensive back and special-teams standout Anthony Levine (abdomen) was also questionable after returning to practice on a limited basis.
Much has been made about the Dez Bryant saga with the veteran receiver noting on Twitter how he’s tested negative for COVID-19 multiple times since his positive test just before Tuesday night’s win over the Cowboys. The 32-year-old remains on the reserve-COVID-19 list, which typically requires a 10-day isolation period, but the NFL’s protocol permits a player to return earlier if he isn’t showing symptoms and tests negative two straight times at least 24 hours apart in a five-day period after the initial positive test.
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Whether Bryant can return in time to play against the Browns remains to be seen.
“To explain exactly what test gets taken when, and what the doctors make of it would be kind of out of my realm, but he has had some negative tests,” Harbaugh said. “There’s a protocol that goes with that — a certain number of days that you have to test negative after a certain number of positive tests. He’s on schedule with that. That’s where it stands right now.”
Meanwhile, the Browns ruled out starting cornerback Denzel Ward (calf), who will miss his third straight game. The status of starting tight end Austin Hooper is up in the air after he missed his second straight day of practice and was listed as questionable with a neck injury.
Below is the final injury report for Week 14:
BALTIMORE
DOUBTFUL: CB Tramon Williams (thigh)
QUESTIONABLE: DE Calais Campbell (calf), DB Anthony Levine (abdomen), CB Jimmy Smith (groin), DT Broderick Washington (concussion), TE Luke Willson (hip)
CLEVELAND
OUT: WR KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring), CB Denzel Ward (calf)
QUESTIONABLE: TE Austin Hooper (neck)
