BALTIMORE — The Ravens embark on a four-game stretch that could dramatically improve their playoff outlook by the time their Week 10 bye arrives next month.
The Chicago Bears are the first of four straight opponents currently dealing with concerns at quarterback as rookie first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky will make his first road start at M&T Bank Stadium, a place that’s been cruel to first-year quarterbacks over the years. In fact, the only rookie signal-caller to ever beat the Ravens in Baltimore was Arizona’s Jake Plummer at Memorial Stadium in 1997, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
In what comes as a surprise after he practiced all week on a limited basis, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (shoulder) is inactive. The veteran wideout went through an on-field workout shortly before the inactive list was released Sunday morning, but overnight reports from ESPN and NFL Network indicated there was legitimate concern about his status for Week 6.
Maclin’s absence puts more pressure on Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman to produce against the league’s eighth-ranked pass defense. It could also trigger a greater workload for slot receiver Michael Campanaro, who would offer quarterback Joe Flacco more of a possession receiver option in the slot to go with Wallace and Perriman.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith (Achilles tendon) is active and will play despite missing two practices this week and playing only seven snaps in Oakland last Sunday. Smith told reporters Friday that he intended to play while continuing to manage the tendinitis that’s bothered him for a few weeks now.
Defensive tackle Carl Davis (hamstring) and cornerback Jaylen Hill (hamstring) are both inactive after being listed as questionable on the injury report. Tight end Maxx Williams (ankle) will make his return, however, after a three-game absence, which could lead to offensive coordinator featuring the tight ends more against Chicago.
As expected, defensive tackle Brandon Williams (foot) and outside linebacker Tim Williams (thigh) are inactive after being listed as doubtful on the final injury report. The good news is that the former practiced Friday for the first time since injuring his foot on Sept. 17, an encouraging sign for his availability at Minnesota next Sunday.
Running back Terrance West (calf) and right guard Matt Skura (knee) were officially declared out on Friday. Rookie Jermaine Eluemunor is expected to start in Skura’s place while Buck Allen and Alex Collins will share an increased workload in the backfield with West sidelined.
This marks the first time all year that the Ravens did not have a single healthy scratch among their seven inactive players as the injury bug continues to bite them hard.
There were no real surprises among Chicago’s inactives as wide receiver Markus Wheaton (groin) was officially ruled out on Friday. Starting inside linebacker Danny Trevathan is active and will play after serving a suspension last week.
Former Ravens running back Taquan Mizzell was a healthy scratch for the Bears.
Sunday’s referee is Ed Hochuli.
According to Weather.com, the Sunday forecast in Baltimore calls for mostly sunny skies and temperatures reaching the high 70s with winds up to 10 miles per hour and no chance of precipitation.
The Ravens are wearing purple jerseys with white pants while Chicago dons white tops with blue pants.
Sunday marks the sixth all-time meeting between these teams with the Bears enjoying a 3-2 advantage. However, the Ravens have won each of the two games played in Baltimore
Below are Sunday’s inactives:
BALTIMORE
WR Jeremy Maclin
RB Terrance West
CB Jaylen Hill
OLB Tim Williams
G Matt Skura
DT Carl Davis
DT Brandon Williams
CHICAGO
OL Hroniss Grasu
DL John Jenkins
LB Nick Kwiatkoski
RB Taquan Mizzell
QB Mark Sanchez
LB John Timu
WR Markus Wheaton
