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The Ravens will try to jump-start an offense that stalled last week against Tennessee, but they’ll be without two key offensive starters while trying to do it.
Starting left guard Ben Grubbs will miss his second consecutive game after failing to practice all week while trying to recover from a right toe injury. There had been cautious optimism that Grubbs might try to play after being listed as questionable — he was doubtful against the Titans — but the fifth-year lineman has not practiced since the Ravens’ season-opening win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11. With offensive lineman Mark LeVoir also inactive, veteran Andre Gurode will make the start at left guard.
Wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle) was ruled out on Friday along with cornerback Jimmy Smith (ankle) and return specialist David Reed (shoulder). Evans has battled a left ankle injury since the Ravens’ win over the Redskins in the third preseason game last month. With Evans out, Baltimore will rely on rookies Torrey Smith, LaQuan Williams, and Tandon Doss — who is active for the first time this season — to pick up the slack in the passing game.
The Ravens have also deactivated cornerback Domonique Foxworth in a surprising move reflecting John Harbaugh’s comments made earlier in the week that they’d have to contemplate sitting down Evans and Foxworth until their health improved to the point that they could better help the team. The decision to sit Foxworth puts more pressure on the returning Chris Carr, who sat out the Titans game with a hamstring injury and has dealt with the ailment since training camp. Cornerbacks Danny Gorrer and Chykie Brown are both active.
Linebacker Sergio Kindle is inactive for the third straight game and has yet to play a snap this season.
For St. Louis, running back Steven Jackson (quad) is active and will play despite being a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. Backup running back Cadillac Williams (hamstring) is also active against the Ravens.
Baltimore
CB Domonique Foxworth
G Ben Grubbs
OL Mark LeVoir
LB Sergio Kindle
WR Lee Evans
CB Jimmy Smith
WR David Reed
St. Louis
WR Danny Amendola
S Jermale Hines
RB Quinn Porter
LB Jabara Williams
TE Stephen Spach
WR Greg Salas
DE C.J. Ah You
