OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens aren’t as healthy as they hoped to be coming out of their bye week for Sunday’s clash with the Minnesota Vikings.
In addition to listing starting right tackle Patrick Mekari and starting running back Latavius Murray as doubtful to play after sitting out the entire practice week with their respective ankle injuries, Baltimore designated wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Rashod Bateman and nose tackle Brandon Williams as questionable to play against the Vikings. Bateman was a late-week addition to the injury report after sitting out Friday’s practice with what was listed as a groin issue, an unnerving development nearly three months after he underwent groin surgery during training camp. However, head coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism for the rookie first-round pick’s availability for Week 9.
“Nothing serious. He has a real good chance for Sunday,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll just have to see how he feels.”
Having practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday for the first time since injuring his hamstring in the Week 5 win over Indianapolis, Watkins “looked good” in practice and has “a chance” to play against the Vikings, according to Harbaugh. The Ravens will likely try to exercise some caution with the oft-injured Watkins, especially with a Thursday game following Sunday’s meeting with the Vikings.
Williams sat out practices on Wednesday and Thursday with a shoulder injury and was a limited participant for the final workout of the week. His availability will be critical against the Minnesota rushing attack featuring two-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook.
Despite being designated to return to practice from injured reserve last week, veteran defensive end Derek Wolfe (back/hip) will not make his season debut on Sunday after sitting out all practices this week. Just over halfway through his 21-day practice window before the Ravens must reinstate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on IR for the remainder of the season, Wolfe hadn’t practiced since Aug. 23 before taking part in two workouts last week. The fact that the 31-year-old had to be shut down again certainly isn’t encouraging.
“He’s going to be out this week. The back’s not feeling good. It’s not there yet,” Harbaugh said. “Backs are tricky. I think when you see him practice for a few days in a row, then you’ll have a clue that he’s got a chance.”
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While Wolfe won’t be activated, tight end Nick Boyle and cornerback Chris Westry would need to be reinstated to the 53-man roster by 4 p.m. Saturday to be eligible to play against the Vikings. With Mekari not expected to play and just six healthy offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, the Ravens will likely elevate two reserve linemen from the practice squad, which must also be done by Saturday’s roster deadline.
The Vikings officially ruled out former Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce, who will miss his fourth straight game with an elbow injury. Pierce practiced on a limited basis Wednesday before sitting out the next two practices.
Minnesota will also be without starting center Garrett Bradbury, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. He’s expected to be replaced by Mason Cole, a former third-round pick out of Michigan who started 32 games at center for Arizona from 2018-20.
“The backup has been a longtime starter — a lot of respect for him as a football player,” Harbaugh said. “They’re very similar-type players. They’re very good athletes. He can move on all the stretch-zone stuff. He’s a veteran player who knows all the pass-protection calls, so we don’t expect to see much drop-off there at all.”
Two other Vikings starters — outside linebacker Anthony Barr (knee) and cornerback Cameron Dantzler (ankle) — were listed as questionable after sitting out Wednesday and being limited in practices for the rest of the week.
Below is the final injury report for Sunday’s game:
BALTIMORE
DOUBTFUL: RB Latavius Murray (ankle), OL Patrick Mekari (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Rashod Bateman (groin), WR Sammy Watkins (thigh), DT Brandon Williams (shoulder)
MINNESOTA
OUT: DT Michael Pierce (elbow)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Anthony Barr (knee), CB Cameron Dantzler (ankle)
