OWINGS MILLS, Md. — It’s appearing extremely likely that the Ravens will take the field against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 without either of their starting offensive tackles as Eugene Monroe was designated as doubtful to play.
Monroe hasn’t practiced all week after suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of the Week 16 loss to Houston. He has been wearing a protective boot on his foot this week, and there hadn’t been much optimism that he’d improve enough to play against Cleveland.
Rookie James Hurst would start at left tackle in place of Monroe after the undrafted free agent started four games at left tackle earlier this season after Monroe underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda would then slide to right tackle with rookie John Urschel assuming Yanda’s normal position.
Defensive end Chris Canty (ankle/thigh) and linebacker Terrell Suggs (back/thigh) are both listed as questionable for Sunday’s game after missing practice all week, but both veterans are still considered likely to play in Week 17.
Rookie running back Fitz Toussaint was also listed as questionable after being added to Friday’s injury report as a limited participant with a rib injury.
Meanwhile, Browns head coach Mike Pettine confirmed that rookie quarterback Connor Shaw will start against the Ravens. Veteran Brian Hoyer (right shoulder) is doubtful to play and rookie Johnny Manziel was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.
Cornerback Joe Haden (shoulder) was designated as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Another piece of injury-related news announced Friday wasn’t a good sign for the Ravens’ postseason hopes as the Kansas City Chiefs announced quarterback Alex Smith has a lacerated spleen and won’t play against San Diego on Sunday. Backup Chase Daniel will make his second NFL start in Smith’s place.
Of course, Baltimore needs a win over the Browns as well as the Chargers to lose to the Chiefs in order to make the playoffs as the final AFC wild card.
“I mean, we’ve still got a job to do,” said linebacker Daryl Smith when asked about the Chiefs-Chargers game. “That’s [beating] the Cleveland Browns Sunday. Regardless of what happens, we’ve got to do our job and try to win this game.”
The referee for Sunday’s game between Baltimore and Cleveland will be Gene Steratore.
According to Weather.com, the forecast for Sunday’s game in Baltimore calls for temperatures in the low 50s with a 40 percent chance of rain.
Below is Friday’s final injury report:
BALTIMORE
DOUBTFUL: T Eugene Monroe (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: DE Chris Canty (ankle/thigh), LB Terrell Suggs (back/thigh), RB Fitzgerald Touissant (ribs)
CLEVELAND
OUT: DL Ahtyba Rubin (ankle), C Ryan Seymour (hamstring)
DOUBTFUL: QB Brian Hoyer (right shoulder/bicep)
QUESTIONABLE: TE Gary Barnidge (rib), DL Desmond Bryant (thumb), CB Joe Haden (shoulder), WR Andrew Hawkins (thumb), LB Jabaal Sheard (foot), TE Ryan Taylor (elbow) , CB K’Waun Williams (hamstring)
PROBABLE: WR Marlon Moore (knee)
