OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens’ injury report took a turn for the worse just two days before the Week 3 meeting with Denver.
Pro Bowl inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (knee) was designated as questionable to play against the Broncos, but he didn’t practice a day after taking part on a limited basis. His presence on the field Thursday had been an encouraging sign after he was carted off the field with a bone bruise in his left knee in Week 2, but it now appears more likely he’ll miss just the third game of his NFL career. Asked about Mosley’s status following Friday’s practice, head coach John Harbaugh provided no comment other than deferring to the pending release of the injury report.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (right elbow), linebacker Matthew Judon (hamstring), and defensive tackle Michael Pierce (foot) were also listed as questionable on the final injury report, but Stanley and Judon are expected to play after being upgraded to full participation in Friday’s practice. Pierce was suited up and on the field during the portion of Friday’s workout open to the media, but he was listed as a non-participant on the injury report. The potential absence of both Mosley and Pierce could spell trouble against the Broncos’ second-ranked running game.
Baltimore ruled out rookie cornerback Anthony Averett, who hadn’t been listed on the injury report this week before apparently suffering a hamstring injury on Thursday. The fourth-round pick’s absence means the Ravens have only four healthy cornerbacks on their 53-man roster: Brandon Carr, Marlon Humphrey, Tavon Young, and rookie free agent Darious Williams.
What was considered a position of great depth in the preseason now looks perilously thin as Jimmy Smith serves the final two games of his suspension, Maurice Canady and Stanley Jean-Baptiste are on injured reserve, and the promising Averett is now sidelined. Defensive backs Robertson Daniel and Makinton Dorleant are both on the practice squad while dime back Anthony Levine has experience playing corner and safety Chuck Clark has played some in big nickel packages, leaving the Ravens some internal options to try to address their depth concerns.
There had been some speculation that the Ravens could move on from veteran cornerback Brandon Carr this past offseason, but the durable 32-year-old has instead been the third-best cornerback in the league in Pro Football Focus’ grading system through two weeks while extending his impressive consecutive games streak to 162. Needless to say, the organization is fortunate to have both his leadership and strong play in the secondary so far this season.
“He’s done a great job. Brandon is a pro. He has a track record,” Harbaugh said. “It’s been a real honor to sit here and watch him work and see how he goes about his business every single day. I’ve enjoyed that, and that’s who he is. It’s incredible. It’s a statement. He deserves a lot of credit for what he continues to accomplish in this league.”
Running back Alex Collins and outside linebacker Tim Williams were not included in the final injury report despite dealing with illnesses earlier in the week.
Four Broncos players were listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, but Denver head coach Vance Joseph confirmed starting right tackle Jared Veldheer has cleared concussion protocol, making him a good bet to play against the Ravens. Starting inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) practiced on a limited basis Friday and is questionable for Sunday’s game while veteran defensive back Adam Jones (thigh) missed practices all week.
According to Weather.com, the Sunday forecast in Baltimore calls for periods of rain and temperatures reaching the mid-60s with winds up to six miles per hour. The chance of rain is listed at 80 percent.
Below is the final injury report for Week 3:
BALTIMORE
OUT: CB Anthony Averett (hamstring), DT Willie Henry (abdomen), TE Hayden Hurst (foot)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Matthew Judon (hamstring), LB C.J. Mosley (knee), DT Michael Pierce (foot), OT Ronnie Stanley (elbow)
DENVER
QUESTIONABLE: CB Adam Jones (thigh), LB Brandon Marshall (knee), S Dymonte Thomas (abdomen), OT Jared Veldheer (concussion)
