OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Facing a Tampa Bay offense entering Week 15 with the most passing yards in the NFL, the Ravens hope to have their entire starting secondary back on the field on Sunday.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (groin) returned to practice on a limited basis Friday and was listed as questionable on the final injury report. The 2017 first-round pick missed most of the second half of last Sunday’s loss at Kansas City and missed workouts on Wednesday and Thursday. Humphrey hurt his groin late in the Week 13 win over Atlanta.
“He’s just trying to get this strong and make sure it’s right,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “He was out there today. We’ll have to watch the tape and talk to [head athletic trainer Ron Medlin] — and Marlon, of course — and see how he looked and how he felt.”
Humphrey’s absence would be significant as Baltimore lost games to New Orleans and Carolina earlier this season when the talented defensive back was sidelined with a thigh injury. Rookie Anthony Averett saw extensive snaps in his place against the Chiefs.
Safety Tony Jefferson hopes to make his return after a two-game absence with an ankle injury. He practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday and also received the questionable designation. Second-year safety Chuck Clark has filled in for Jefferson since Week 12.
“If I was making the decision, he would be playing on Sunday,” Harbaugh said. “So, we’ll see what the trainers say, but I thought he did well.”
Left guard Alex Lewis was listed as doubtful and is expected to miss his second straight game with a lingering shoulder issue. The third-year offensive lineman was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, but he didn’t participate on Thursday or Friday. Veteran James Hurst would presumably make his second straight start at left guard.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (right hip) was listed as questionable on the final injury report, but he is set to serve as the backup to rookie starter Lamar Jackson after practicing fully all week. Sunday will mark the first time in Flacco’s career he will not start a game in which he’s been active, but it remains unclear whether the 11th-year quarterback will have any role beyond serving as a traditional backup.
How the Ravens would adjust their run-heavy attack under Jackson to the less mobile Flacco on the fly would be interesting.
“We have plans, and Joe feels really good about the things that we would immediately go to when he’s in the game,” offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. “I went through it the past couple weeks, really. We have more than enough for Joe to be able to go in and have some success without sort of reverting back.”
Cornerback Tavon Young (groin) and defensive back Anthony Levine (ankle) were also listed as questionable for Sunday, but both practiced fully on Friday after missing practice time earlier in the week.
The Buccaneers officially ruled out veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson (thumb) and safety Justin Evans (toe) and listed defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (knee/hip) as questionable for Sunday.
In other Ravens news, national scout Milt Hendrickson is expected to leave the organization to become Green Bay’s new assistant general manager, according to Packers insider Bob McGinn. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst reportedly wanted to hire Hendrickson last spring, but an interview request was denied by Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome.
The Weather.com Sunday forecast in Baltimore calls for rain and temperatures in the mid-40s with winds 10 to 15 miles per hour and a 90-percent chance of precipitation.
Below is the final injury report of the week:
BALTIMORE
DOUBTFUL: G Alex Lewis (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: QB Joe Flacco (right hip), CB Marlon Humphrey (groin), S Tony Jefferson (ankle), DB Anthony Levine (ankle), LB Tim Williams (ankle), CB Tavon Young (groin)
TAMPA BAY
OUT: S Justin Evans (toe), WR DeSean Jackson (thumb)
QUESTIONABLE: DT Beau Allen (wrist), CB Carlton Davis (knee), OT Demar Dotson (knee), S Isaiah Johnson (concussion), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (knee/hip), LB Adarius Taylor (non-injury)
