OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Despite head coach John Harbaugh offering optimism about Eugene Monroe’s potential availability for Saturday’s playoff game in Pittsburgh, the Ravens left tackle was once again missing from practice on Wednesday.
Monroe hasn’t practiced since injuring his ankle in the Week 16 loss in Houston as rookie free agent James Hurst filled in at left tackle in the regular-season finale against Cleveland. Harbaugh described Monroe’s chances of playing against the Steelers as “50-50” on Monday, but he has been in a walking boot since suffering the injury on Dec. 21.
Rookie defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (foot) and second-year linebacker Arthur Brown (hamstring) were also missing from practice as neither is expected to play. Brown could be placed on injured reserve to make room for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who has yet to be activated from the reserve-suspended list.
Tight end Owen Daniels was not present during the portion of Wednesday’s practice open for media viewing, but he was not listed on the injury report. The veteran often receives a day off from practice during game weeks.
In Pittsburgh, optimism appears to be growing somewhat about the availability of Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell (hyperextended knee) after he said he was feeling “great” and was seen walking without any noticeable limp on Wednesday. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been noncommittal about his status for Saturday’s game after confirming Bell sustained no structural damage to his knee in the regular-season finale against Cincinnati.
“I don’t have a crystal ball,” Tomlin said in his conference call with Baltimore media. “I know that he can’t go today, and we’re just kind of taking it day by day. We’ll see what it looks like [Thursday].”
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: LB Arthur Brown (thigh), DT Timmy Jernigan (foot/ankle), T Eugene Monroe (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION: DE Chris Canty (thigh/ankle)
PITTSBURGH
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: T Mike Adams (illness), RB Le’Veon Bell (knee), TE Heath Miller (non-injury), QB Ben Roethlisberger (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DT Steve McLendon (shoulder), TE Michael Palmer (groin)
FULL PARTICIPATION: S Troy Polamalu (knee), CB Ike Taylor (shoulder/forearm)
