OWINGS MILLS, Md. — While quarterback Lamar Jackson remained absent from practice as the Ravens moved closer to their Week 5 meeting with Houston, the rest of Thursday’s injury brought some encouraging developments as well as more bad news.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and cornerback Nate Wiggins (elbow) practiced for the first time since exiting with injuries in last Sunday’s loss in Kansas City, but safety Kyle Hamilton (groin) sat out a day after appearing on the injury report as a limited participant, an indication that he sustained an injury during Wednesday’s practice. With inside linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) not expected to play against the Texans and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) already out for the rest of the season, Hamilton’s possible absence would mean Baltimore being without each of its four star defensive players who make at least $19.5 million per season. That certainly isn’t going to help a Ravens defense ranking at or near the bottom in virtually every major statistical category entering Week 5.
“You want to be able to do what the guys can go out here and feel comfortable executing,” said defensive coordinator Zach Orr about the injuries piling up and how that impacts game preparation. “Obviously, we have a lot of young guys who are going to go out there and play football for us, but I think the preparation throughout the week can help handle that. And all these guys have been here with us throughout the spring, so a lot of the playbook, they already know that.”
Veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie remained sidelined with a hamstring injury, so Wiggins being able to practice on a limited basis was an encouraging development, especially after he was carted to the locker room late in the 37-20 loss to the Chiefs.
After practicing on a limited basis Wednesday, outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) and center Tyler Linderbaum (calf) were upgraded to full participation, which bodes well for their availability against the Texans. Van Noy has missed the last two games after hurting his hamstring in the Week 2 win over Cleveland.
The Texans welcomed back Pro Bowl cornerback Derek Stingley to practice on a limited basis as he continues to manage an oblique injury suffered in Week 1.
Below is Thursday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), S Kyle Hamilton (groin), CB Marlon Humphrey (calf), QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring), FB Patrick Ricard (calf), ILB Roquan Smith (hamstring)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: OT Emery Jones (shoulder), NT Travis Jones (knee), OLB Odafe Oweh (eye), OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle), WR Devontez Walker (oblique), CB Nate Wiggins (elbow)
FULL PARTICIPATION: C Tyler Linderbaum (calf), DE Brent Urban (finger), OLB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring)
HOUSTON
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DT Folorunso Fatukasi (shoulder)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DE Denico Autry (knee), S Jaylen Reed (knee), CB Derek Stingley (oblique)
FULL PARTICIPATION: DE Will Anderson (rest), TE Harrison Bryant (shoulder), WR Nico Collins (knee)
