Flacco absent from practice as Ravens prepare for Cleveland

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Starting quarterback Joe Flacco was absent from Wednesday’s practice as the Ravens continued preparations for their first road game of the season against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Backup Tyrod Taylor and practice-squad quarterback Keith Wenning were present and working as Flacco missed practiced due to an illness that is not expected to keep him sidelined for long. The seventh-year quarterback has never missed a game, and several teammates couldn’t even recall Flacco missing a practice to this point in his career.
Even after injuring his knee against the Detroit Lions in Week 15 last season, Flacco did not miss a practice.
“It was weird,” defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said. “[Terrell Suggs] and I were thinking we’ve never actually been at a practice without Joe Flacco being out there. Whatever he has going on, I hope for all the best for him.”
Left tackle Eugene Monroe (knee) and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (knee) were also absent during the viewing portion of Wednesday’s practice. The former expects to play against the Browns on Sunday while the rookie Jernigan could reportedly miss a couple weeks with a meniscus injury.
Cornerbacks Asa Jackson (concussion) and Lardarius Webb (back) were both present and working on Wednesday. Webb has yet to play in the 2014 season despite having practiced fully over the last couple weeks while Jackson sustained his concussion in the second quarter of the win over the Steelers.
Asked by reporters about his status, Webb said he’s feeling good but will continue to defer to head coach John Harbaugh, who continued to give no injury updates on Wednesday. Webb told reporters last week that he was ready to make his season debut against the Steelers before being deactivated for the second straight game.
The Ravens were practicing in helmets, shells, and shorts in their first open practice of the week.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is expected to be without running back Ben Tate (knee), meaning Towson product Terrance West is expected to receive the start against the Ravens. Linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder) and tight end Jordan Cameron (shoulder) were both limited participants in the Browns’ practice on Wednesday.
Here’s a look at Wednesday’s injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: QB Joe Flacco (illness), DT Timmy Jernigan (knee), T Eugene Monroe (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: CB Asa Jackson (concussion), CB Lardarius Webb (back)
CLEVELAND
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: RB Ben Tate (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder), LB Barkevious Mingo (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Travis Benjamin (knee), DL Desmond Bryant (wrist), DL John Hughes (hamstring), P Spencer Lanning (shoulder), OL Paul McQuistan (ankle), CB Buster Skrine (thumb)