OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens have a mostly healthy 53-man roster coming out of the bye as they begin a daunting five-game stretch to conclude the regular season and have their sights set on the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Two days after head coach John Harbaugh expressed “a lot of optimism” about the availability of standout defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey for Sunday’s tilt with the Los Angeles Rams, both were able to take part in Wednesday’s practice. Madubuike was a limited participant after entering the bye week in the concussion protocol while Humphrey practiced fully for the first time since injuring his calf in the Week 10 loss to Cleveland. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman was the only member of the active roster to sit out Wednesday as Harbaugh revealed he was dealing with an illness.
Speaking to reporters following practice, Humphrey deemed himself “ready to rock” after a two-game absence. That’s good news with the Rams sporting one of the league’s best wide receiver duos in 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp and rookie sensation Puka Nacua.
“I knew what Kupp could do. Nacua kind of came in a surprise. I think he has 1,000 yards already,” said Humphrey, referencing Nacua’s remarkable 77 catches for 1,029 yards and four touchdowns. “They just find really good ways to get open. They can beat man coverage. They’re really good in zone. Those two guys together are kind of hard. Which one do you want to try to stop, try to limit? We’ll definitely have our hands full this Sunday.”
Despite suffering an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in last Sunday’s win over Cleveland, Nacua was able to return to the game and was listed as a limited participant in the Rams’ “jog-through” on Wednesday. Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay said earlier this week that the fifth-round rookie out of BYU is on track to play against Baltimore.
Rams tight end Tyler Higbee sat out Wednesday’s workout with a neck injury.
As expected, outside linebacker and Baltimore native Malik Hamm took part in Wednesday’s practice after being designated to return from injured reserve on Monday. Hamm, an undrafted rookie out of Lafayette, was listed as a full participant in his first on-field work since August. Second-year cornerback Damarion Williams (ankle) also practiced fully after being designated to return from IR late last month.
8Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: WR Rashod Bateman (illness)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: LB Malik Harrison (groin), DT Justin Madubuike (concussion)
FULL PARTICIPATION: OLB Malik Hamm (ankle), CB Marlon Humphrey (calf), ILB Trenton Simpson (concussion), CB Damarion Williams (ankle)
LOS ANGELES
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: OT Rob Havenstein (rest), TE Tyler Higbee (neck), OLB Michael Hoecht (knee), S Quentin Lake (hamstring), OLB Byron Young (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Puka Nacua (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION: DT Larrell Murchison (elbow)
