After going winless in October last season, the Ravens don’t want history to repeat itself after getting off to a bad start last week with a disappointing home loss to Pittsburgh.
Now they take their struggling show on the road against an Oakland Raiders team that will indeed be without Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr, who is officially inactive after suffering a a transverse process fracture in his back in Denver last week. Carr’s status turned into a bit of a roller coaster over the course of the week as he practiced on a limited basis two days and was listed as questionable on the final injury report, but backup EJ Manuel will start in his place.
As head coach John Harbaugh indicated Friday, top cornerback Jimmy Smith is active and will start after missing two practices this week because of an Achilles tendon issue. The ailment has bothered him for some time, which explains why rookie cornerback Marlon Humphrey was rotating in for Smith over the course of last Sunday’s game.
Defensive back Lardarius Webb (thigh) and tight end Benjamin Watson (calf) are also active after missing some practice time this week and being listed as questionable on the final injury report. Rookie cornerback Jaylen Hill (hamstring) was deactivated after being listed as doubtful and only practicing on a limited basis this week.
After starting last week, second-year defensive end Bronson Kaufusi is a healthy scratch as rookie Chris Wormley will make his NFL debut against the Raiders. Baltimore is still searching for someone to stabilize the 5-techique spot after the season-ending foot injury to Brent Urban two weeks ago.
The Raiders are dealing with injuries beyond the quarterback position as starting right guard Gabe Jackson (foot) and cornerbacks David Amerson (concussion) and Gareon Conley (shin) are all out.
Sunday’s referee is Brad Allen.
According to Weather.com, the Sunday forecast in Oakland calls for sunny skies and temperatures reaching the mid-70s with winds up to 11 miles per hour and no chance of precipitation.
The Ravens are wearing white jerseys with white pants while the Raiders don black tops with silver pants.
Sunday marks the 10th all-time meeting in the regular season between these teams with Baltimore enjoying a 6-3 advantage in addition to a victory in the only postseason encounter in the 2000 AFC championship game. However, Oakland has defeated the Ravens in each of the last two years with both contests being decided in the final minute.
Below are Sunday’s inactives:
BALTIMORE
DE Bronson Kaufusi
WR Chris Moore
CB Jaylen Hill
OL Tony Bergstrom
OL Dieugot Joseph
TE Maxx Williams
DT Brandon Williams
OAKLAND
QB Derek Carr
CB David Amerson
CB Gareon Conley
G Gabe Jackson
DL Jihad Ward
OT Jylan Ware
RB DeAndre Washington
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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