OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Given the quick turnaround for a critical Thursday night clash with AFC North rival Cincinnati, the Ravens may not have cornerback Marlon Humphrey or left tackle Ronnie Stanley after their injuries suffered in Sunday’s loss to Cleveland.
But Baltimore is hopeful neither will miss too much time overall.
“Not long term. I’d say day to day,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “Hopefully, we’ll get them to Thursday. There’s a chance, and we’ll see where we’re at.”
This was particularly encouraging news with Humphrey after initial concern that the three-time Pro Bowl selection had suffered a torn Achilles tendon rather than a calf strain. The 27-year-old missed the first four games of the season after undergoing foot surgery in August, and the Ravens are once again expected to turn to the combination of veterans Rock Ya-Sin and Ronald Darby to fill in if Humphrey isn’t able to play against the Bengals.
Stanley suffered an injury to his right knee, which is the same one he hurt in Week 1. The 29-year-old missed three games after that injury before returning to play at Pittsburgh in Week 5.
With Stanley’s status in doubt, the Ravens hope to have right tackle Morgan Moses (shoulder) back on the field after a two-game absence with the same injury originally sustained in the Week 4 win at Cleveland. Moses has now missed three games with that ailment after previously not missing a contest since the end of the 2014 season. His healthy return would allow top reserve Patrick Mekari to move to left tackle after filling in for the 32-year-old at right tackle the last two weeks. Second-year offensive tackle Daniel Faalele replaced the injured Stanley in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss.
In better news for the offensive line, right guard Kevin Zeitler was the first player to hit the field for Monday’s walk-through even after having his leg rolled up late in Sunday’s game. He wasn’t listed on Monday’s injury report.
Despite making his return against the Browns after being sidelined with a hamstring injury the previous three games, Ravens safety Marcus Williams appeared very limited trying to tackle while wearing a harness on his left shoulder to help protect the pectoral injury he suffered in Week 1. Even with backup safety Geno Stone leading the NFL with sixth interceptions, Williams played 77 of 78 defensive snaps in his return while Stone was relegated to 52 snaps playing in sub packages. Neither safety played particularly well in the 33-31 loss on Sunday.
“I think it’s going to keep getting better as he gets more comfortable,” said Harbaugh about Williams’ tackling. “He has some limitation there with the protection he has on it right now, but as it gets stronger, and it’s getting stronger, he’ll need less of that and give him a little more range of motion. I think he’s going to be just fine. He’s moving around good. He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”
Concerns about Baltimore’s offensive tackle situation could be alleviated by how banged up the Bengals are at defensive end with neither Trey Hendrickson (knee) nor Sam Hubbard (ankle) taking part in Monday’s walk-through. Hubbard missed their Week 10 loss to Houston while Hendrickson hurt his knee late in Sunday’s game.
The Bengals are also likely to be without starting wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) for a second straight game.
Below is Monday’s estimated injury report with both teams conducting walk-throughs:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Marlon Humphrey (calf), ILB Trenton Simpson (concussion), OT Ronnie Stanley (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: OLB Kyle Van Noy (groin), S Daryl Worley (hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION: OT Morgan Moses (shoulder)
CINCINNATI
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DE Trey Hendrickson (knee), WR Tee Higgins (hamstring), DE Sam Hubbard (ankle), WR Andrei Iosivas (knee), DT D.J. Reader (rest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Chidobe Awuzie (knee), LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), DT Josh Tupou (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Charlie Jones (thumb), CB Cam Taylor-Britt (finger)
