OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Preparing to play the highest-scoring offense in the NFL is challenging enough, but the Ravens did so without top cornerback Marlon Humphrey on Wednesday.
The 2017 first-round pick was absent from practice with what was listed as a groin issue on the official injury report. Humphrey played 48 of 53 defensive snaps in Sunday’s 26-16 win over Atlanta, but he appeared to pull up gingerly on the failed 2-point conversion try with under five minutes remaining, which was Atlanta’s final offensive play of the game.
Since returning from a thigh injury that cost him two games in late October, Humphrey has emerged as one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL, ranking 10th at his position in Pro Football Focus’ grading system. He finished with two pass breakups in a defensive effort that limited Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to a paltry 131 passing yards in Week 13.
“Marlon just works hard. He’s talented,” head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday. “He’s a very serious guy as you all know, and he takes his technique very seriously. He chases perfection in everything that he does. He works at it, and he wants to be good.”
Humphrey’s potential absence would spell trouble in the effort to slow Kansas City’s third-ranked passing attack. The 22-year-old missed the New Orleans and Carolina games — both losses — in which the Ravens surrendered a total of 60 points, their worst two-game stretch of the season.
Sunday will mark the second time this season in which the Ravens enter a week as the top scoring defense going up against the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense.
“When we played New Orleans, it was the same type of thing, and we kick ourselves in the butt about that game still,” said cornerback Jimmy Smith about the 24-23 defeat in Week 7 that started a three-game losing streak. “I think [we’re] just going for it. It’s December; it’s playoffs. When you go against a team like this, it’s a real test to see if you can beat them in the playoffs. They’re looking like they’re a team that’s going to go, so it’s going to be that type of challenge.”
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco (right hip) was back at practice after missing his third straight game and was once again a limited participant like he was last Thursday and Friday. Harbaugh reiterated the 33-year-old’s activity level would be ramped up from last week, but it appears likely that rookie Lamar Jackson will make his fourth consecutive start on Sunday against the Chiefs as Flacco had yet to be cleared for game action at the start of the week.
Safety Tony Jefferson (ankle), left guard Alex Lewis (shoulder), slot cornerback Tavon Young (groin), and defensive back Anthony Levine (ankle) also missed Wednesday’s practice for injury-related reasons. The latter three played against the Falcons despite dealing with their respective ailments, but Jefferson appears in danger of missing his second straight game, which would mean another start for second-year safety Chuck Clark.
As he did all last week, veteran offensive lineman James Hurst (back) practiced on a limited basis and remains hopeful of making his return after a six-game absence. His return coupled with Lewis’ ongoing physical challenges would leave offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris with the option of shifting Hurst to left guard, the position he played last season. Rookie third-round pick Orlando Brown Jr. has started the last six games at right tackle.
The Chiefs continue to deal with the on-field and off-field fallout of Pro Bowl running back Kareem Hunt’s release late last week, but every member of their current 53-man roster was practicing, which included five-time Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry (heel) and starting wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot). Berry is aiming to make his season debut while Watkins has missed two of Kansas City’s last three games — with a bye week included in that stretch — because of a foot injury.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: WR Michael Crabtree (non-injury), CB Marlon Humphrey (groin), S Tony Jefferson (ankle), G Alex Lewis (shoulder), DB Anthony Levine (ankle), S Eric Weddle (non-injury), G Marshal Yanda (non-injury), CB Tavon Young (groin)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: QB Joe Flacco (right hip), OT James Hurst (back)
FULL PARTICIPATION: LB Tim Williams (ankle)
KANSAS CITY
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S Eric Berry (heel), WR Sammy Watkins (foot)
FULL PARTICIPATION: TE Demetrius Harris (knee), LB Anthony Hitchens (quadriceps/rib)
