OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens head into their wild-card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts sporting their healthiest roster in quite some time as only three players were listed more serious than probable for Sunday.
Saftey Bernard Pollard, guard Jah Reid, and wide receiver Tandon Doss were listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, but only Reid appears to be a legitimate concern as the starting left guard appeared very limited during the open portions of practice all week. The second-year lineman is listed as having a toe injury and would likely be replaced by veteran Bobbie Williams should he not be able to play against Indianapolis.
Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and right guard Marshal Yanda were listed as probable after both players sat out an entire week of practice leading into the regular-season finale, which they both missed in order to rest injuries. Fullback Vonta Leach was also listed as probable despite missing Thursday’s practice with a lingering ankle injury.
Of the 19 players listed as probable on the report, Leach was the only one to miss a practice this week but returned to the field on Friday. Coach John Harbaugh provided an optimistic outlook on the Pro Bowl fullback following the workout and even upgraded his status after initially speaking to reporters.
“Vonta is going to be listed as questionable,” said Harbaugh before Friday’s injury report was released. “It might be probable though after today’s practice. Now that I think about it, he looked pretty good today, so he might be OK.”
Harbaugh spoke about Lewis’ status in recent weeks, explaining why he was held out of the final few games of the regular season and declaring him fit to go against Indianapolis. Lewis is just over 11 weeks removed from surgery on his right triceps.
The 37-year-old linebacker is expected to start at his normal “Mike” linebacker position next to Dannell Ellerbe, but Josh Bynes will be ready to spell Lewis if necessary. Many have wondered whether the Ravens will handle Lewis’ workload like they did with a returning Terrell Suggs back in October, but Harbaugh gave no indication that Lewis would see a limited number of snaps.
“He probably could have played, but it would have been a big risk,” Harbaugh said. “We felt like we could get our positioning in the playoffs, and then bring Ray Lewis back when the injury had the best chance to be completely healed, which is 12 weeks after the injury. He’s ready to go. He’s going to play in this game. He should be full-speed.”
Meanwhile, Indianapolis has ruled out starting left guard Joe Reitz as he continues to recover from a concussion.
Former Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski is questionable with a knee injury but practiced fully on Thursday and Friday.
BALTIMORE
QUESTIONABLE: WR Tandon Doss (ankle), S Bernard Pollard (chest), G Jah Reid (toe)
PROBABLE: RB Anthony Allen (head), TE Billy Bajema (head), WR Anquan Boldin (shoulder), LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), LB Adrian Hamilton (illness), FB Vonta Leach (knee/ankle), CB Chris Johnson (thigh), DE Arthur Jones (thigh), LB Ray Lewis (triceps), LB Albert McClellan (shoulder/thigh), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), DT Haloti Ngata (knee), T Kelechi Osemele (knee), RB Bernard Pierce (ankle), S Ed Reed (shoulder), CB Jimmy Smith (abdomen), WR Torrey Smith (knee), LB Terrell Suggs (biceps), G Marshal Yanda (shoulder/knee)
INDIANAPOLIS
OUT: G Joe Reitz (concussion)
QUESTIONABLE: RB Delone Carter (ankle), NT Antonio Johnson (ankle), C AQ Shipley (knee), S Tom Zbikowski (knee), T Winston Justice (shoulder)
PROBABLE: DT Kellen Heard (illness), T Bradley Sowell (illness), CB Teddy Williams (knee), LB Jerrell Freeman (thumb), QB Andrew Luck (knee), LB Pat Angerer (illness), DE Cory Redding (quad), C Samson Satele (ankle), LB Dwight Freeney (non-injury), LB Robert Mathis (non-injury)
