Dumervil still missing from practice due to ankle injury

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens continued preparations for a key Week 15 meeting against the Detroit Lions with a key member of their pass rush again missing from practice.
Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil continues to be sidelined with a left ankle injury suffered in the Week 13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thanksgiving night. The 29-year-old missed his first game of the season this past Sunday in the 29-26 win over Minnesota after coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism early last week that the rush specialist would be able to play.
The Baltimore coach is taking a more conservative stance on Dumervil’s status this week, saying Monday that he has “a chance” of playing against Detroit.
“It’s definitely gotten better,” said Dumervil, adding that he plans to try to return to the practice field on Friday. “The strength is getting there. Just trying to continue to work on strengthening that ankle.”
He injured his ankle late in the first half of the win over the Steelers but returned in the second half to finish the game, making his slow recovery time concerning after initial optimism that he wouldn’t miss any further action. Dumervil acknowledged playing through great pain in the second half of that game but said he wanted to help his team earn the important win.
Rookie safety Brynden Trawick returned to the practice field on a limited basis after missing the last two games with a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 12 against the New York Jets on Nov. 24.
Third-string running back Bernard Scott was back on the practice field for the Ravens after being re-signed to take the place of wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a concussion on Tuesday. Scott was cut last weekend to make room for returning tight end Dennis Pitta, but the Ravens told him there was a good chance they would bring him back in the near future.
For Detroit, four starters were missing from Thursday’s practice with running back Reggie Bush (calf) headlining the list. All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson was limited with a nagging knee injury that’s plagued for a large portion of the season.
Here’s Thursday’s injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: LB Elvis Dumervil (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S Brynden Trawick (ankle), CB Lardarius Webb (abs)
DETROIT
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder), RB Reggie Bush (calf), S Louis Delmas (knee), CB Chris Houston (toe), DE Isreal Idonije (knee), CB Darius Slay (knee), S John Wendling (illness)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Calvin Johnson (knee), T LaAdrian Waddle (elbow)