OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Preparing to host the AFC championship game for the first time in franchise history, the Ravens welcomed a prominent member of their defense back to the practice field on Wednesday.
Sidelined with a calf injury since the Week 17 win over Miami on Dec. 31, top cornerback Marlon Humphrey practiced on a limited basis in hopes of making his return against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. It’s been a frustrating season on the injury front for the 27-year-old Humphrey, who’s missed a career-high eight games with calf and foot injuries.
Though there’s been very little drop-off for the Baltimore defense without the three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, a healthy Humphrey would give the secondary even more flexibility in trying to confuse and slow Chiefs quarterback and two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes. Humphrey was spotted working out on a side field during the bye week, but he wasn’t able to practice at all last week before being declared out for the divisional round.
“Anytime you get a star player [back], it’s always a plus,” fellow starting cornerback Brandon Stephens said. “It just adds more depth. He’s been working really hard to get back from his injury, and hopefully he can go out there and help us on Sunday.”
Veteran Ronald Darby has started seven games in Humphrey’s place this season.
Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews looks to be on track to make his return after practicing fully once again. Andrews wasn’t activated from injured reserve to play against Houston last week, but logging his third consecutive full practice on Wednesday was a promising sign for his availability.
In Andrews’ absence, quarterback Lamar Jackson has built a great rapport with second-year tight end Isaiah Likely, but the veteran tight end returning to play against the Chiefs would provide an emotional lift in addition to what he brings as Jackson’s favorite target.
“It would mean a lot. That’s my bread and butter, big bro, and it would definitely mean a lot,” Jackson said. “We’ve already got guys who’ve stepped up, … but with Mark and the type of guy he is, the type of caliber player he is and what he brings to the table for us, it would definitely mean a lot for us.”
Wide receiver and special-teams standout Tylan Wallace (knee) was the only Ravens player on the 53-man roster to sit out practice with an injury.
Kansas City held out four starters from Wednesday’s practice, a list including All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) and running back Isiah Pacheco (ankle/toe). While the Chiefs sound optimistic about Pacheco’s availability for the conference title game, Thuney’s status is in serious question after the two-time Pro Bowl selection exited in the second half of the divisional-round win over Buffalo with his pec injury.
Starting linebacker Willie Gay (neck) and starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (calf) were listed as limited participants in the Chiefs’ workout.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: WR Tylan Wallace (knee), G Kevin Zeitler (rest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Marlon Humphrey (calf), ILB Del’Shawn Phillips (shoulder), CB Rock Ya-Sin (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: TE Mark Andrews (ankle)
KANSAS CITY
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: S Mike Edwards (concussion), WR Skyy Moore (knee), DT Derrick Nnadi (triceps), RB Isiah Pacheco (ankle/toe), G Trey Smith (illness), G Joe Thuney (pectoral)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: QB Blaine Gabbert (oblique), LB Willie Gay (neck), CB L’Jarius Sneed (calf)
FULL PARTICIPATION: CB Trent McDuffie (ankle), OT Wanya Morris (concussion), DE Charles Omenihu (wrist), WR Rashee Rice (hamstring), WR Kadarius Toney (hip), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (oblique), OL Prince Tega Wanogho (quad), CB Joshua Williams (knee)
