OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Despite optimism regarding the treatment and rehabilitation he received for his injured toe on Friday, it appears Ben Grubbs will be unavailable to the Ravens on Sunday.
The starting left guard missed his third straight practice on Friday and is listed as doubtful for the Ravens’ Week 2 matchup with the Tennessee Titans. Earlier in the day, coach John Harbaugh labeled Grubbs as a game-time decision, but it’s likely the fifth-year lineman will miss the first game of his NFL career.
“Even though it’s a small part of your body, it’s a huge part in running around, pushing off, and blocking, especially for my position,” Grubbs said prior to the release of Friday’s injury report. “It’s my first time experiencing this, so I don’t really know what to expect. You just hope that, God willing, I’ll be able to play.”
Veteran backup center Andre Gurode will likely start in Grubbs’ place at left guard. The 10th-year veteran started 28 games at guard in 2003 and 2004 before being switched to center where he earned five Pro Bowl selections for the Cowboys.
The Ravens will also be undermanned in the secondary as both Jimmy Smith and Chris Carr were ruled out against Tennessee. Smith is expected to miss a few weeks with a high ankle sprain, but there was some hope that Carr would be able to play after aggravating his left hamstring in the first half against the Steelers last week.
Carr did not practice all week, and it appears the Ravens have shut him down for now in hopes of strengthening the hamstring that’s given him problems for over a month.
“I’m trying to be cautious and smart about it, and, definitely, I’m feeling good,” Carr said before being ruled out. “If I’m ready to play, then I’ll be ready, but we’re going to be smart about it.”
With Carr and Smith out, it likely means an increased workload for veteran Domonique Foxworth behind current starters Cary Williams and Lardarius Webb. Chykie Brown will also be available for Sunday’s game after being inactive last Sunday, but the Ravens would likely use versatile safety Haruki Nakamura as a nickel corner before turning to the rookie from Texas.
BALTIMORE
OUT – CB Jimmy Smith (ankle), CB Chris Carr (thigh)
DOUBTBUL – G Ben Grubbs (toe)
PROBABLE – WR Lee Evans (ankle), FB Vonta Leach (foot)
TENNESSEE
DOUBTFUL – S Chris Hope (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE – DE William Hayes (shoulder), WR Damian Williams (hamstring)
PROBABLE – DE Jason Jones (knee), DE Derrick Morgan (knee), RB Javon Ringer (back)
Visit the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault to hear more from John Harbaugh, Ben Grubbs, Andre Gurode, Chris Carr, and Chykie Brown right here.
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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