OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens officially ruled out two starters, but they should have the rest of their 53-man roster available for Sunday’s season opener against Buffalo.
As expected, tight end Hayden Hurst (foot) and defensive tackle Willie Henry (hernia surgery) will not play against the Bills as they continue recovering from multi-week ailments, but cornerback Maurice Canady (thigh) and rookie inside linebacker Kenny Young (knee) are expected to suit up after practicing all week. Both were officially listed as questionable.
Canady participated in practices on a limited basis this week after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since mid-August. His return to the field is an important development as he will be the top reserve corner behind outside starters Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Carr and nickel back Tavon Young while Jimmy Smith serves his four-game suspension in September.
“Maurice is a very valuable player. I’m excited about him,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “He looks good in practice, so it looks like he’ll be out there. I haven’t gotten the OK on that finally from the trainer, but that’s my diagnosis. I’m planning on having him unless something changes between now and then. He can play inside. He can play outside. He can play special teams. He’s a good player. It’s good to have him back.”
The Bills are also in good shape from a health standpoint as no projected starters appeared on the injury report this week.
According to Weather.com, the Sunday forecast in Baltimore calls for temperatures in the mid-60s with a 100-percent chance of rain and winds 10 to 20 miles per hour. Rainfall could near an inch, which could make for an interesting afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium.
Friday marked the 10th anniversary of Harbaugh and Joe Flacco’s first Ravens win in a 17-10 final over Cincinnati to kick off the 2008 season. The victory would be the start of a surprising 11-5 campaign that would land the first-year head coach and rookie quarterback in the AFC championship game.
“It feels like yesterday. It’s crazy how quickly [time goes by],” Flacco said. “You look back at the days, and they go along just like everybody says. But man, it’s been really, really quick, and we’ve changed a lot.”
Below is the final injury report of the week:
BALTIMORE
OUT: DT Willie Henry (abdomen), TE Hayden Hurst (foot)
QUESTIONABLE: CB Maurice Canady (thigh), LB Kenny Young (knee)
BUFFALO
OUT: WR Ray-Ray McCloud (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Julian Stanford (nose)
