OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Inside linebacker C.J. Mosley sat out Wednesday’s practice as the Ravens continue preparations for their prime-time showdown with Pittsburgh.
Mosley (neck) was not on the field as Baltimore conducted a walk-through session, but he was available to speak to reporters after practice. The two-time Pro Bowl selection sustained a “stinger” in each of the Ravens’ last two games, but he cleared concussion screening and quickly returned to play in both contests.
It’s been a trying stretch for the 2014 first-round pick, who also sprained his right ankle late in the Week 11 win at Green Bay last month.
“I’m feeling like it’s Week 14,” said Mosley, who has started all 12 games this season and has missed only two games in his four-year career. “As long as I’m ready by Sunday, that’s all that’s going to matter.”
Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith (shoulder) was also absent from Wednesday’s practice after playing 32 defensive snaps in the 44-20 win over Detroit last Sunday.
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (back) and offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor (shoulder) were both listed as limited participants on Wednesday. Eleumunor has been inactive for each of the last two games and practiced for the first time since Nov. 17.
As cornerback Jimmy Smith (Achilles tendon) became the first Ravens player to land on injured reserve since defensive end Brent Urban (foot) in late September — but 14th total going back to the preseason — the Steelers are now dealing with their most serious injury of the year. Pro Bowl inside linebacker Ryan Shazier remains hospitalized with a major back injury sustained in their Monday win at Cincinnati, but he was transported to a medical facility in Pittsburgh Wednesday to continues tests and evaluations.
Players and coaches throughout the league have expressed their support as head coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens opened their Wednesday team meeting with a prayer for the injured linebacker, who is one of the Steelers’ best players.
“We want to let everyone know that we all in this locker room are praying for Ryan Shazier,” outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We are all brothers on this gridiron. I work out with the kid in Arizona [in the offseason]. We are all praying for him. We definitely want to see him get up and walk again. We are staying encouraged for Ryan.”
Steelers safety Mike Mitchell was a full participant in Wednesday’s workout after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury.
Pittsburgh will be without rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Sunday night after he was suspended one game by the NFL for his illegal block on Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict and subsequent taunting penalty.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: LB C.J. Mosley (neck), LB Za’Darius Smith (shoulder)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: OL Jermaine Eluemunor (shoulder), WR Jeremy Maclin (back)
PITTSBURGH
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Joe Haden (fibula), LB Tyler Matakevich (shoulder), LB Ryan Shazier (back)
FULL PARTICIPATION: TE Vance McDonald (ankle), S Mike Mitchell (ankle)
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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