OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After improvement in his sprained right knee allowed him to play against Jacksonville last Sunday, wide receiver Torrey Smith wasn’t even listed on the first injury report ahead of the Ravens’ 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 Wednesday’s 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 didn’t 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 Sunday’s game against Indianapolis. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said Monday that they expect to have the veteran wideout back this week against the Ravens.
O’Brien also said in his conference call with the Baltimore media that he would not reveal his starting quarterback ahead of Sunday’s 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 Wednesday’s 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 Su’a-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)
