OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens are looking at potentially starting their third different left tackle in as many weeks.
Rookie Ronnie Stanley (foot) is listed as doubtful to play against Washington on Sunday after missing all practices for a second straight week. The first-round pick missed his first game against Oakland last week as the Ravens are trying to protect his long-term health for the duration of the season.
With starting left guard Alex Lewis recovered from a concussion and having practiced fully all week, the Ravens could tab him to play left tackle after third-year lineman James Hurst struggled mightily against the Raiders in Week 4. A 2016 fourth-round pick out of Nebraska, Lewis played left tackle in college and also practiced at the position extensively this summer, leading many to believe he could serve as the primary backup to Stanley.
He says he’s ready to slide outside if asked to do so.
“You’ve just got to know where your help is at tackle, especially [as a rookie],” Lewis said. “I expect a little help, but at the same time, you’ve got to understand that when they call you to be on an island, you’ve got to go back to your fundamentals. It doesn’t really matter what the guy across from you is doing. It’s sticking to fundamentals and doing your technique and getting your job done.”
Should Lewis play left tackle, the Ravens could turn to John Urschel to play left guard. Originally projected to be the starter at that position entering training camp, Urschel was sidelined with a shoulder injury for much of the preseason and into the start of the regular season. This is the first week that Urschel has not been listed on the injury report.
Ryan Jensen struggled in place of Lewis at left guard last week.
“We are comfortable with the guys that have played,” offensive coordinator Marc Trestman said. “Alex has his feet wet in terms of playing a couple games. We have seen him play outside; we are good with that. We have seen the guys who are playing inside play inside with John and so forth. We do have a comfort level with that.”
Veteran return specialist Devin Hester (thigh) returned to the practice field on a limited basis Friday and is listed as questionable to play against the Redskins.
Rookie running back Kenneth Dixon (knee) was listed as questionable on the final injury report, but he is expected to make his NFL debut after practicing fully all week. It will be interesting to see how involved he is offensively with starter Terrance West coming off a career-high 113 rushing yards last week.
Cornerback Sheldon Price (thigh) is also questionable after practicing on a limited basis this week.
Meanwhile, Washington will be without starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland (ankle), rookie hybrid linebacker Su’a Cravens (concussion), and rookie first-round receiver Josh Doctson (Achilles tendon) as the three were officially ruled out for Week 5 on Friday.
The referee for Sunday’s game will be Ron Torbert.
The Weather.com forecast for Sunday calls for partly cloudy skies, temperatures reaching the mid-60s, no chance of precipitation, and winds up to 17 miles per hour.
Below is the final injury report of the week:
BALTIMORE
DOUBTFUL: OT Ronnie Stanley (foot)
QUESTIONABLE: RB Kenneth Dixon (knee), CB Sheldon Price (thigh), WR/RS Devin Hester (thigh)
WASHINGTON
OUT: CB Bashaud Breeland (ankle), S Su’a Cravens (concussion), WR Josh Doctson (achilles), CB Dashaun Phillips (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Ryan Kerrigan (elbow), G Shawn Lauvao (ankle)
