(Updated: 8:15 p.m.)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens were missing two members of their secondary while welcoming back another as they continued preparations for a Week 5 trip to Oakland.
Top cornerback Jimmy Smith (Achilles tendon) and nickel corner Lardarius Webb (thigh) were both absent from Wednesday’s practice while rookie cornerback Jaylen Hill returned to the field for the first time in five weeks. Smith was replaced by rookie Marlon Humphrey on Pittsburgh’s final touchdown drive in the fourth quarter Sunday, but he didn’t appear to suffer a serious injury and never went to the ground during his final play of the afternoon, Le’Veon Bell’s 21-yard run to the Baltimore 21 with under five minutes remaining.
Smith played 52 of 76 defensive snaps against the Steelers as Humphrey replaced him for a few series over the course of the contest, something the rookie also did the previous week. Smith’s history of frustrating injuries is no secret as the Ravens defense collapsed down the stretch last season when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 14. The seventh-year defensive back is off to one of the best starts of his career this season and has been one of Baltimore’s best players on either side of the ball
Hill, a rookie free agent from Jacksonville State, was one of the best stories of the preseason as he played at a high level to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Though he’ll likely need some time to get back into football shape and prove he’s fully recovered from a long-term hamstring injury, Hill could be a potential fit at the nickel spot with Webb having struggled in pass coverage over the last couple weeks.
Defensive tackle Brandon Williams (foot) and tight ends Benjamin Watson (calf) and Maxx Williams (ankle) were also absent from Wednesday’s practice. It’s appearing more likely that the standout defensive lineman will miss his third straight game on Sunday. Watson missed two practices last week before ultimately playing against the Steelers.
Defensive back Anthony Levine (thigh) was a limited participant.
On Tuesday, the Ravens signed tight end Gabe Holmes and cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste to their practice squad, placed fullback Ricky Ortiz on practice squad injured reserve, and waived cornerback Josh Thornton.
The Raiders were without three starters during their Wednesday workout as quarterback Derek Carr (back), right guard Gabe Jackson (foot), and defensive end Mario Edwards (back) were listed as non-participants. Carr was ruled out by head coach Jack Del Rio at the beginning of the week and will be replaced by former Buffalo first-round pick EJ Manuel.
Oakland starting wide receivers Michael Crabtree (chest) and Amari Cooper (knee) were both limited.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Jimmy Smith (Achilles), TE Benjamin Watson (calf), DB Lardarius Webb (thigh), DT Brandon Williams (foot), TE Maxx Williams (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Jaylen Hill (thigh), DB Anthony Levine (thigh)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Jeremy Maclin (hand)
OAKLAND
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: QB David Carr (back), CB Gareon Conley (shin), DE Mario Edwards (back), G Gabe Jackson (foot)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB David Amerson (concussion), WR Amari Cooper (knee), WR Michael Crabtree (chest), RB DeAndre Washington (hamstring)
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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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