OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens are again likely to be without right tackle Patrick Mekari and running back Latavius Murray for their Thursday night meeting with Miami.
Both remained absent from the first two walk-through practices of the week after sitting out the Week 9 overtime win over Minnesota, a strong indication that they won’t play against the Dolphins. Murray hasn’t played since injuring his ankle against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6 while Mekari sprained his ankle in the Week 7 loss to Cincinnati. Tyre Phillips started at right tackle against the Vikings.
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins remains on track to make his return from a hamstring injury sustained in Week 5, but the biggest injury question of the week appears to be tight end Nick Boyle, who was activated to the 53-man roster from injured reserve on Monday. Out of action since suffering a major knee injury nearly a year ago, Boyle has been listed as a limited participant on the injury report this week, but he wasn’t present during the media viewing portion of Monday’s walk-through. Though head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Boyle is progressing well and remains an option for Thursday’s game, the Ravens still have the option of elevating practice-squad tight end Eric Tomlinson, who has played 25% of the offensive snaps and seen action on special teams through the first eight games of the season.
“He’s been practicing well. I think he will be ready for Thursday,” said Harbaugh about Boyle. “We’ll just have to see where we go with all of that stuff, so he’s in the mix.”
The quick turnaround for Week 10 presents an extra challenge for players trying to return from injuries as well as veterans already experiencing the usual wear and tear of the season. That was likely a factor in Baltimore’s decision to hold out both Watkins and nose tackle Brandon Williams (shoulder) against the Vikings.
After playing nearly 70 minutes of football — and a whopping 98 offensive snaps — in Sunday’s 34-31 overtime win, the Ravens had no time to waste preparing for their next game.
“It’s tough, but that’s the nature of the business. We know we’re going to have to do it,” 35-year-old defensive end Calais Campbell said. “You prepare for it and just go through the whole process, and we’ll try to be at our best on a short week – take care of our bodies and all of that.”
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Meanwhile, the Dolphins are still weighing what to do at quarterback with starter Tua Tagovailoa still dealing with a fracture in the middle finger of his throwing hand. With Jacoby Brissett having started Sunday’s win over Houston, Miami head coach Brian Flores told reporters that Tagovailoa’s availability wouldn’t be determined until game day.
Baltimore protected guard James Carpenter, running back Nate McCrary, defensive tackle and guard Kahlil McKenzie, and linebacker Joe Thomas on their practice squad for Week 10. McKenzie played five defensive snaps against Minnesota as a standard elevation from the practice squad.
Below is Tuesday’s injury report estimation with each team conducting a walk-through:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: OL Patrick Mekari (ankle), RB Latavius Murray (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Nick Boyle (knee), WR Sammy Watkins (thigh), DT Brandon Williams (shoulder), CB Tavon Young (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Marquise Brown (back)
MIAMI
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: C Greg Mancz (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: LB Jerome Baker (knee), DB Elijah Campbell (toe), S Brandon Jones (ankle), QB Tua Tagovailoa (left finger)
