OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce is listed as doubtful to play in Sunday’s AFC clash with the Houston Texans.
The run-stopping defensive lineman missed practice all week as he continues to recover from a right ankle injury sustained on the first defensive play of last Sunday’s win in Cincinnati. Head coach John Harbaugh said Pierce will be a game-time decision, but he appears likely to miss his first game of the season after starting each of the first nine contests.
Baltimore signed veteran defensive tackles Domata Peko and Justin Ellis earlier this week to boost its run defense with Pierce’s expected absence. The Texans own the NFL’s fourth-ranked run offense.
“I feel good about them to contribute Sunday,” Harbaugh said. “They both practiced well. They practiced hard. They’re in good shape. It’s not the most complicated thing to understand. They have to figure out where to line up on the different calls. There are certain checks that they need to understand, but they’re good at that and they know how to play the techniques that we play. That’s why we signed them.
“Yes, they have a chance to play on Sunday if the circumstances work out with Michael.”
Wide receiver Marquise Brown (right ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis Friday and is expected to play despite being listed as questionable on the injury report. Wide receiver Chris Moore (left thumb) is also questionable after practicing on a limited basis all week and missing last Sunday’s game against the Bengals.
Safety Earl Thomas (knee) was not listed on the final game status injury report after practicing fully on Thursday and Friday.
The Texans listed four starters as questionable to play coming off their bye week. Wide receiver Will Fuller (hamstring) and Tashaun Gipson (back/wrist) missed Houston’s final two games before its Week 10 bye while cornerback Bradley Roby (hamstring) has missed the last three games. Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil missed the Week 9 win over Jacksonville.
According to Weather.com, the Sunday forecast in Baltimore calls for cloudy skies and temperatures reaching the mid-40s with winds 10 to 15 miles per hour and only a slight chance of precipitation.
Below is the final injury report for Sunday’s game:
BALTIMORE
DOUBTFUL: DT Michael Pierce (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Marquise Brown (ankle), WR Chris Moore (thumb)
HOUSTON
QUESTIONABLE: WR Will Fuller (hamstring), S Tashaun Gipson (back/wrist), CB Bradley Roby (hamstring), OT Laremy Tunsil (shoulder)
