OWINGS MILLS, Md. — While the Ravens ruled out fullback Patrick Ricard and tight end Isaiah Likely for Sunday night’s season opener in Buffalo, cornerback Jaire Alexander is set to play despite missing the final three weeks of summer practice.
After returning to practice this week, Alexander did not carry a game status designation on the final injury report, meaning the two-time Pro Bowl defensive back will make his Ravens debut against the Bills. The 28-year-old hadn’t practiced since Aug. 9 while managing the same right knee that limited him to just seven games with Green Bay last season, but he expressed excitement speaking to reporters after logging full practices on Thursday and Friday.
“It feels good. It’s always a blessing to be on the field, and that’s my happy place,” Alexander said. “It was good getting back acclimated with the guys.”
It remains to be seen how many snaps Alexander will play in the opener as he and fellow veteran newcomer Chidobe Awuzie could split first-team reps at an outside cornerback spot in sub packages. Baltimore lists Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins as the starting corners on the base defense depth chart, but Humphrey usually moves to the slot when the Ravens deploy five or more defensive backs.
Of course, both Alexander and Awuzie carry extensive injury histories, so keeping both on a part-time snap count could improve the odds of keeping them healthy over a long season.
Neither Ricard nor Likely practiced all week, so it was hardly a surprise for them to be declared out for Week 1. The latter was always viewed as a long shot to play in Week 1 after undergoing foot surgery in late July, but a calf injury has sidelined Ricard for three weeks. Their absence will challenge Baltimore’s preference for using heavy formations and multiple tight ends against a Buffalo defense that’s at its best playing its lighter nickel package, a matchup that would have clearly favored the Ravens at full strength.
During the portion of Friday’s practice open to the media, Likely was working out on a side field, which is a good sign for his return to action within the next few weeks.
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“He has done really well, and I would say maybe ahead of schedule probably,” head coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday. “We’ll just have to see how that goes going forward. But yes, I think he’s been good. He’s probably going to start getting antsy here pretty soon though.”
The Bills officially ruled out kicker Tyler Bass (left hip/groin) and placed him on injured reserve on Friday, meaning he’ll miss at least the next four games. Signed to Buffalo’s practice squad this week, the 41-year-old Matt Prater will be elevated to handle kicking duties on Sunday.
Starting cornerback and former Raven Tre’Davious White is not expected to play after missing the entire practice week and being listed as doubtful. However, top cornerback Christian Benford (groin) did not carry an injury designation after practicing fully on Thursday and Friday.
Bills wide receivers Khalil Shakir (ankle) and Keon Coleman (groin) are also expected to play after not being given game status designations.
Below is the final injury report for Week 1:
BALTIMORE
OUT: TE Isaiah Likely (foot), FB Patrick Ricard (calf)
BUFFALO
OUT: K Tyler Bass (left hip/groin)
DOUBTFUL: CB Tre’Davious White (groin)
