OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After missing Sunday’s 34-17 loss to the Denver Broncos, strong safety Bernard Pollard and right guard Marshal Yanda expressed cautious optimism on Wednesday about a Week 16 return to play the New York Giants.
Neither took part during Wednesday’s practice as Pollard continues to rest the injured ribs he’s dealt with since Week 2 and Yanda works his way back from a sprained ankle.
“It comes down to a point of can I go out there and help my team, with the way the pads and hitting people, and everything,” said Pollard, who collaborated with the training staff in deciding to sit out against Denver. “We’ll see. It’s going to be a good one.”
Yanda is no longer wearing the walking boot he sported last week after injuring his ankle in overtime of the Ravens’ 31-28 loss to Washington two weeks ago. It was the first game Yanda had missed since suffering a torn ACL during the 2008 season.
The Pro Bowl guard took part in the Ravens’ Wednesday morning walk-through but remains noncommital about his status for Sunday.
“I don’t know yet, we’ll see,” Yanda said. “It’s Wednesday, we don’t play until Sunday.”
Also missing from practice were wide receivers Torrey Smith (concussion) and Tandon Doss (ankle) and running back Bernard Pierce (concussion). All three sustained injuries in Sunday’s game, and the Ravens will monitor Smith and Pierce closely as they will need to pass a neurological baseline test to be cleared for contact.
Linebacker Ray Lewis was present for practice during the open portion of Wednesday’s workout but still hasn’t been placed on the 53-man roster. The Ravens are expected to play coy once again with Lewis’ status, meaning they could wait until Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline to place him on the 53-man roster and move linebacker Jameel McClain (neck) to injured reserve.
When asked whether it was fair for media to consider Lewis taking McClain’s spot on the roster, coach John Harbaugh wouldn’t deny the proposition.
“I think it would be fair — and I’m pretty sure you’re going to do it anyway — to consider any possibility on that,” Harbaugh said.
Tight end Ed Dickson (knee) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (ankle) both practiced on a limited basis after missing their third straight game this past Sunday. The third-year tight end appeared to have a higher level of participation that he had at all last week when he practiced on a limited basis but was listed as doubtful for the Denver game.
Ellerbe worked out on the field before being listed as inactive on Sunday, but he hesitated to estimate his chances of returning this week before ultimately offering an optimistic outlook on his status against the Giants.
“I don’t have a percentage,” said Ellerbe, who admitted he wasn’t that close to playing after trying to give it a go last Sunday morning. “Maybe in a high range. Maybe 80, 90 [percent].”
And in what results as the most mysterious — and borderline comical — part of Wednesday’s injury report, linebacker Terrell Suggs wasn’t listed on the injury report despite suffering a torn right biceps 2 1/2 weeks ago. The Ravens were fined $20,000 earlier this season for failing to list safety Ed Reed on the injury report with a torn labrum, even though he wasn’t missing any practice reps.
The Giants are also dealing with injury concerns as five starters didn’t practice on Wednesday, including defensive end Justin Tuck, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, center David Baas, and guard Chris Snee.
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: WR Tandon Doss (ankle), LB Jameel McClain (neck), RB Bernard Pierce (head), S Bernard Pollard (chest), WR Torrey Smith (head), G Marshal Yanda (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Ed Dickson (knee), LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), S James Ihedigbo (neck), DT Arthur Jones (shoulder), FB Vonta Leach (ankle), LB Albert McClellan (thigh/shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION: DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), S Ed Reed (shoulder), CB Jimmy Smith (abdomen), WR Deonte Thompson (thigh), WR LaQuan Williams (thigh)
NEW YORK
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: C David Baas (hip/shoulder), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (knee/foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (knee), G Chris Snee (hip), DE Justin Tuck (shoulder)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring), DT Chris Canty (neck), S Kenny Phillips (knee), S Tyler Sash (hamstring)
