OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Head coach John Harbaugh has said the Ravens will play to win Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but they are taking the final week of the regular season as an opportunity to rest Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.
The seventh-year defensive lineman missed his second straight practice on Thursday with what’s listed as a knee injury. Ngata hadn’t been listed on the injury report since late November but has battled knee and shoulder issues for much of the season.
Defensive coordinator Dean Pees did not express concern over Ngata’s availability for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, explaining the Ravens are simply allowing him to take a couple days off. Named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl on Wednesday, Ngata hasn’t made the same impact along the defensive line as the Ravens have enjoyed in past seasons but appears to be looking stronger over the last few weeks of the regular season.
“I think he’s getting there,” Pees said. “He’s been banged up seems like kind of all year here and there. He’s getting some well-deserved rest.”
Two other Pro Bowl selections also missed Thursday’s workout as right guard Marshal Yanda and fullback Vonta Leach sat out. Yanda was missing for the second straight day, but his practice status hasn’t been surprising considering he is still recuperating from a significant ankle sprain that forced him out of the lineup in Week 15. The seventh-year guard is also dealing with shoulder and knee issues.
Dressed in street clothes, Leach was on the field during the special-teams portion of practice but left before the rest of the team began working out. He has been dealing with an ankle injury and has received regular days off over the last few weeks.
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin (shoulder bruise) practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day and doesn’t appear to be feeling too many lingering effects from the injury sustained in last Sunday’s 33-14 win over the New York Giants. Wide receiver Tandon Doss, defensive lineman Arthur Jones, and linebacker Albert McClellan were also limited participants.
For the Bengals, starting running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (illness) and kicker Mike Nugent (right calf) did not participate in Thursday’s workout.
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: FB Vonta Leach (ankle), DT Haloti Ngata (knee), G Marshal Yanda (shoulder/knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Anquan Boldin (shoulder), WR Tandon Doss (ankle), DE Arthur Jones (thigh), LB Albert McClellan (shoulder/thigh)
FULL PARTICIPATION: LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), WR Jacoby Jones (ankle), LB Ray Lewis (triceps), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), TE Dennis Pitta (knee), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder), CB Jimmy Smith (abdomen), LB Terrell Suggs (biceps)
CINCINNATI
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (illness), K Mike Nugent (right calf)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Jason Allen (hamstring), CB Adam Jones (hamstring), S Reggie Nelson (shoulder), CB Terence Newman (hamstring)
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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