The Ravens were once again without Jimmy Smith on Thanksgiving as they moved closer to a Week 12 meeting with Cincinnati.
The sixth-year cornerback continues to be sidelined with the back injury that forced him to miss his first game of the season last Sunday. Head coach John Harbaugh has expressed optimism at a couple different points regarding his status, but you do wonder how long the back issue could linger as he’s missed all but one practice over the last two weeks.
Fortunately for the Ravens, the Bengals will be without top receiver A.J. Green, who will miss this week’s game with a hamstring injury. Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant caught two touchdowns against a Baltimore defense lacking its best cornerback.
“Whether Jimmy is in there or not, we have to step our game up — myself included — to get off the field,” safety Eric Weddle said. “We just didn’t execute and didn’t make the plays needed. They made the plays, and credit Dallas for doing an excellent job in the second half. You live, you learn.”
Defensive tackle Brandon Williams (back/hand) and guard Marshal Yanda (shoulder) returned to practice as full participants after receiving Wednesday off. Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (foot) also practiced fully as he hopes to make his return to live-game action for the first time since Week 5.
Defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (shoulder) and tight end Crockett Gillmore (thigh) were limited participants for the second straight day. The latter hasn’t played in a game since before the bye week.
Harbaugh gave veteran days off to linebacker Terrell Suggs and center Jeremy Zuttah on Thursday.
The Bengals were once again without starting strong safety Shawn Williams, who continues to nurse a hamstring injury.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: G Alex Lewis (ankle), CB Jimmy Smith (back), RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (thigh), LB Terrell Suggs (non-injury), C Jeremy Zuttah (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Crockett Gillmore (thigh), DT Timmy Jernigan (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION: LB Elvis Dumervil (foot), DT Brandon Williams (back/hand), G Marshal Yanda (shoulder)
CINCINNATI
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: WR A.J. Green (hamstring), CB Josh Shaw (hip), TE C.J. Uzomah (calf), S Shawn Williams (hamstring)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: G Clint Boling (shoulder), LS Clark Harris (groin), RB Ryan Hewitt (foot), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (knee), S Derron Smith (thigh), WR James Wright (hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION: QB Andy Dalton (right shoulder), WR Brandon LaFell (knee)
