OWINGS MILLS, Md. โ After improvement in his sprained right knee allowed him to play against Jacksonville last Sunday, wide receiver Torrey Smith wasnโt even listed on the first injury report ahead of the Ravensโ Week 16 clash with Houston.
Smith was one of the first players to hit the practice field Wednesday as the 9-5 Ravens have a chance to clinch a playoff spot as early as Sunday against the Texans. He and running back Justin Forsett were not included on the injury report after both were dealing with knee issues over the last couple weeks.
Defensive end Chris Canty (ankle) and wide receiver Jacoby Jones (illness) were the only Ravens players to miss Wednesdayโs workout due to health-related concerns. Safety Will Hill and left guard Kelechi Osemele were listed as sitting out for non-injury reasons, which typically indicates they were given the day off by head coach John Harbaugh.
Cornerback Anthony Levine (ankle) and running back Bernard Pierce (back) were both limited participants on Wednesday.
The Texans were dealing with a slew of absences at their first practice of the week as linebacker Brian Cushing (ankle), tight end Garrett Graham (ankle), running back Arian Foster (hip), wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (ankle), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (ankle) were among the players who didnโt participate. All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt was given the day off.
Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson (concussion) was a limited participant on Wednesday after he missed this past Sundayโs game against Indianapolis. Texans head coach Bill OโBrien said Monday that they expect to have the veteran wideout back this week against the Ravens.
OโBrien also said in his conference call with the Baltimore media that he would not reveal his starting quarterback ahead of Sundayโs game. Either journeyman Thad Lewis or the recently-signed Case Keenum will start after Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Tom Savage both sustained leg injuries against the Colts.
Below is Wednesdayโs full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DE Chris Canty (ankle), S Will Hill (non-injury), WR Jacoby Jones (illness), G Kelechi Osemele (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Anthony Levine (ankle), RB Bernard Pierce (back)
HOUSTON
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: LB Brian Cushing (ankle), TE Garrett Graham (ankle), RB Arian Foster (hip), WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle), CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle), LB Mike Mohamed (concussion), QB Tom Savage (knee), G Xavier Suโa-Filo (back), DE J.J. Watt (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: T Tyson Clabo (foot), LB Akeem Dent (neck), CB Kareem Jackson (knee), WR Andre Johnson (concussion), LB Whitney Mercilus (back), LB Jeff Tarpinian (knee)

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.
Podcast Audio Vault
Share the Post:
Right Now in Baltimore
Twelve Orioles Thoughts entering 2025 season
Baltimore aims to qualify for the postseason for the third straight year, something it hasn't done since 1969-71.
Ravens add veteran Chidobe Awuzie for outside cornerback depth
Though talented, the 6-foot, 202-pound defensive back has dealt with a number of injuries in recent years.
Realities of arms, pitching and money in MLB
With Grayson Rodriguez and Andrew Kittredge unavailable for Opening Day, Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post joins Nestor and Luke at Pizza John's in Essex on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to the state of the arms' race in baseballโฆ