(This blog brought to you by Atlantic Remodeling. Visit www.atlanticremodeling.com to learn about their Red Cent Guarantee!)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens saw three players return to the practice field on Friday before listing six starters as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
The players given that designation included nose tackle Haloti Ngata (knee), cornerbacks Lardarius Webb (groin) and Jimmy Smith (groin), inside linebacker Daryl Smith (hamstring), safety James Ihedigbo (toe), and wide receiver Marlon Brown, who was a new addition to the injury report after sitting out Friday’s practice.
Webb, Daryl Smith, and defensive end Chris Canty (knee) returned to the practice field after missing time earlier in the week. Canty was added to Thursday’s injury report as a non-participant while the other two were sidelined on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Those guys have all done a good job,” said coach John Harbaugh, who deferred to the injury report released later in the day when asked about the team’s health. “They all work really hard & do everything they can to get back.”
Ngata was present and suited up to practice during the portion open for media viewing but was listed as a non-participant. However, the fact that he made it to the field could be interpreted as a positive sign for his status after spraining his left knee and temporarily leaving the field during last Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Smith deemed himself healthy enough to play against the Bears as he’s missed four practices over the last two weeks with what’s listed as a thigh injury. He left the field gingerly in overtime before the Ravens prevailed 20-17 to improve their record to 4-5 on the season.
“I feel pretty good, ready to go,” said Smith after working on a limited basis Friday. “Hopefully it won’t be a habit, but I took a couple days to do a little rehab and let everything settle down and rest. I’m looking forward to Sunday.”
Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (neck) practiced fully after being added to the report as a limited participant due to a reported collision in Thursday’s practice. He and Canty were both designated as probable to play on Sunday.
Ihedigbo and Jimmy Smith practiced on a limited basis all week, making it very likely that both will play despite being given the questionable designation..
Sunday’s forecast in Chicago is calling for strong storms and high winds with an 80-percent chance of precipitation and winds gusting up to 28 miles per hour. Despite that less-than-promising combination, temperatures are expected to rise into the low 60s.
“Footing will be an issue there,” said Harbaugh about the conditions and how they can impact the overall game plan. “It’s probably more of a situation where you have the various game-plan options that you need plays-wise and things like that available, but you won’t know until you start playing the game how it’s going to affect the game.”
The referee for the game between the Ravens and Bears will be Gene Steratore.
Here is the final injury report of the week:
BALTIMORE
QUESTIONABLE – DT Haloti Ngata (knee), LB Daryl Smith (thigh), CB Lardarius Webb (groin), Marlon Brown (knee), S James Ihedigbo (toe), CB Jimmy Smith (groin)
PROBABLE – DE Chris Canty (knee), RB Bernard Pierce (toe/knee), WR Brandon Stokley (thigh), LB Terrell Suggs (neck)
CHICAGO
OUT: LB Lance Briggs (shoulder), QB Jay Cutler (ankle), DT Jeremiah Ratliff (groin)
DOUBTFUL: LS Patrick Mannelly (calf), DE Shea McClellin (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: TE Martellus Bennett (ankle)
PROBABLE: T Jordan Mills (quad)
