OWINGS MILLS, Md. โ The Ravens will once again be without starting wide receiver Lee Evans and suddenly have reason to be more concerned in the secondary.
The Ravens ruled out Evans as well as Jimmy Smith, Haruki Nakamura, and David Reed for Sundayโs game against the New York Jets, but a more concerning development may have been cornerback Chris Carrโs return to the injury report after not practicing on Friday. He is listed as questionable along with left guard Ben Grubbs, who will be a game-time decision, according to coach John Harbaugh.
With Domonique Foxworth being placed on injured reserve on Wednesday and the rookie Smith sidelined until after the bye, the Ravens were already thin at cornerback and counting on Carr to hold down the No. 3 corner spot behind Lardarius Webb and Cary Williams. Carr made it through the Week 3 win over the Rams without incident and was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
If Carr cannot play or is limited against the Jets, the Ravens would be looking at former practice-squad defensive back Danny Gorrer and rookie Chykie Brown as the No. 3 and 4 corners. Baltimore would normally turn to Haruki Nakamura as a possible option at the nickel position, but the safety is out with a knee injury until after the bye week.
โWeโd probably like to have at least one more corner that is healthy, but we donโt have that luxury right now,โ Harbaugh said on Wednesday before the latest development with Carr. โItโs definitely [something] we could address, just depending on whatโs available out there. But, Iโm comfortable with the guys we have. You talk about the guys we just brought in, Danny Gorrer โ heโs an up-and-coming guy โ and Chykie Brownโs a very talented young corner who grows everyday. Those guys are good players.โ
Evans was ruled out on Friday for the second straight week as he continues to deal with an ankle injury thatโs affected him since playing in the third preseason game against Washington in August. The decision means the Ravens will go with rookie Torrey Smith as the starter opposite Anquan Boldin with fellow first-year players Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams working in as the third receiver.
Frustration continues to grow over the status of Evansโ left ankle. The 30-year-old describes the ailment as โstressโ in the muscle and bone in the high ankle area but said there is no break or fracture.
โAs a coach, you start thinking, โWhatโs the deal?'โ Harbaugh said. โWeโll just have to see where it goes. Iโm planning on him being back for the Houston game [on Oct. 16], but weโll have to see.โ
With two extra weeks of rest after the Ravens have their bye next week, Evans will not have played since the Ravensโ loss to the Titans on Sept. 18. The veteran is encouraged by the improvement made with the ankle and hopes to be ready when the Ravens welcome the Texans to town in two weeks.
โNothingโs certain in this world, but it has a much higher probability of happening now than it did beforeโ Evans said. โIโm feeling good with what weโve done so far, so Iโm shooting for the Texans, no doubt.โ
Grubbs is listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis Thursday but not participating in Fridayโs workout. Veteran lineman Andre Gurode was working at left guard in Grubbsโ place and would make his second straight start if Grubbs is held out with a lingering right toe injury.
โHe didnโt do as much today,โ Harbaugh said. โI think weโre more concerned with the toe healing than we are with the reps. Itโs going to be a game-time decision. Weโll put him out there and let him play if he can. Itโs been three weeks with a toe, so I think heโs got a pretty good chance, but you just canโt control that stuff. Weโll have to see what happens.โ
Inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is doubtful after missing practice all week with a hamstring injury suffered against St. Louis last Sunday.
BALTIMORE
OUT โ WR Lee Evans (ankle), S Haruki Nakamura (knee), CB Jimmy Smith (ankle), WR David Reed (shoulder)
DOUBTFUL โ LB Dannell Ellerbe (thigh)
QUESTIONABLE โ G Ben Grubbs (toe), CB Chris Carr (thigh)
PROBABLE โ C Matt Birk (knee), DE Cory Redding (toe)
NEW YORK
OUT โ WR Logan Payne (wrist)
QUESTIONABLE โ C Nick Mangold (ankle)
PROBABLE โ WR Santonio Holmes (shoulder), WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring), CB Antonio Cromartie (ribs), LB David Harris (toe), DL Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder), DL Mike DeVito (shoulder)
Ravens injury report: Evans ruled out; Carr, Grubbs questionable against Jets

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.
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