OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Having already endured season-ending injuries to Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb last week, the Ravens listed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and two other defensive starters as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
Ngata practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day on Friday after sitting out Wednesday’s workout while continuing to recover from a sprained MCL suffered in the 31-29 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. The seventh-year defensive lineman wasn’t present for the portion of practice open to the media for the final two practices of the week but took the field after reporters were ushered inside the Ravens’ Owings Mills facility.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith and defensive tackle Ma’ake Kemoeatu were also listed as questionable after working on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday.
“They had a good week,” coach John Harbaugh said. “It was a good week of practice [for those injured players].”
Despite only working on a limited basis the last two days, all three defensive starters are expected to play on Sunday.
Ngata and Smith were not made available to reporters on Friday, but the veteran Kemoeatu declared himself fit to play against Houston. The 33-year-old believes he’ll be “full-go” for the game.
“[The knee] was just stiff,” Kemoeatiu said. “I rested it up for a day and now I’m ready to go.”
Offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie was also listed as questionable after being limited in practice all week with a thigh injury.
After missing practice on Thursday with a migraine headache, offensive lineman Ramon Harewood worked fully and is listed as probable for Sunday.
Because he is not part of the 53-man roster, linebacker Terrell Suggs wasn’t listed on the official injury report, but he is still considered highly unlikely to make his return to game action against the Texans.
Houston listed top cornerback Johnathan Joseph as questionable for Sunday’s game after he returned to practice on a limited basis on Friday. He is considered a game-time decision as he’s been dealing with a groin injury for the last few weeks.
BALTIMORE
QUESTIONABLE: DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu (knee), T Bryant McKinnie (thigh), DT Haloti Ngata (knee), CB Jimmy Smith (abs)
PROBABLE: T Ramon Harewood (head)
HOUSTON
OUT: DE David Hunter (toe)
QUESTIONABLE: S Quintin Demps (thumb/forearm), CB Johnathan Joseph (groin)
PROBABLE: OLB Bryan Braman (knee), G Antoine Caldwell (concussion), NT Shaun Cody (back), ILB Bradie James (calf), WR Lestar Jean (knee), C Ben Jones (knee), S Shiloh Keo (neck/back/thumb), C Chris Myers (hip), OLB Jesse Nading (foot/neck), T Derek Newton (forearm), G Wade Smith (knee), RB Ben Tate (toe)
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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