OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Certainly no strangers to health woes in 2021 with 15 players currently on injured reserve, the Ravens put out their most crowded injury report of the season ahead of Sunday’s game in Chicago.
Though quarterback Lamar Jackson did return to practice fully Friday after missing two days due to illness, defensive tackle Brandon Williams (shoulder), outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), and wide receiver Miles Boykin (finger) were officially declared out while 10 others were designated as questionable to play against the Bears. Sidelined for three consecutive games, the 32-year-old Williams missed the entire practice week and will again be replaced at nose tackle by Justin Ellis. Williams had been a limited practice participant the previous two weeks, making the timetable for his return unclear.
“I really don’t have any updates on Brandon Williams or any light to shed on it other than the fact that we’ll see how he feels next week,” head coach John Harbaugh said.
McPhee was added to the injury report Thursday while Boykin was a new absence for Friday’s practice. Boykin wasn’t the only end-of-week addition to the injury report, however, with cornerback Anthony Averett (thigh), offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi (thigh), and inside linebacker Kristian Welch also sitting out Friday and being listed as questionable. Wide receiver Devin Duvernay (knee) was also added to Friday’s injury report as questionable after being a limited participant.
Wide receiver Marquise Brown (thigh) was listed as questionable after returning as a limited participant for Friday’s workout. Cornerbacks Tavon Young (foot) and Jimmy Smith (hip/neck) are questionable after missing Wednesday’s practice and being limited the rest of the week.
Tight end Nick Boyle (knee) appears poised to make his 2021 season debut after being a full participant all week while right tackle Patrick Mekari (ankle) and running back Latavius Murray (ankle) are officially questionable after practicing all week on a limited basis. Mekari and Murray haven’t played in a game since before the bye week.
Like Jackson, rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman wasn’t given an injury designation after returning from illness to participate fully on Friday. Of course, Harbaugh acknowledged it’s “not ideal” having Jackson, Brown, and Bateman miss practice time with the offense trying to get back on track after the disappointing Week 10 loss at Miami.
“I definitely feel less prepared because I want to be out there with my guys,” said Jackson about the challenge of getting up to speed. “I know I’m behind because those guys — they’re still on the field doing what they’re supposed to do getting better each and every day. I’m probably like 2% behind them right now. I’ve got to catch up. It’ll be good though because I’ve got a great group of guys working with me.”
Aiming to snap a four-game losing streak, the Bears didn’t get the clean bill of health for which they had hoped coming out of their bye week. In fact, Chicago is looking even worse after placing six-time Pro Bowl edge rusher and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack (foot) and veteran inside linebacker Dannty Trevathan (knee) on season-ending IR. The Bears also ruled out defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (ankle) and listed wide receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring) as doubtful for Sunday’s game.
Chicago defensive back Eddie Jackson (hamstring) is officially questionable after practicing on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday.
Below is the final injury report for Week 11:
BALTIMORE
OUT: WR Miles Boykin (finger), OLB Pernell McPhee (knee), DT Brandon Williams (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: CB Anthony Averett (thigh), TE Nick Boyle (knee), WR Marquise Brown (thigh), WR Devin Duvernay (knee), OL Patrick Mekari (ankle), RB Latavius Murray (ankle), OT Cedric Ogbuehi (thigh), CB Jimmy Smith (hip/neck), ILB Kristian Welch (foot), CB Tavon Young (foot)
CHICAGO
OUT: DT Akiem Hicks (ankle)
DOUBTFUL: WR Allen Robinson (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: DB Eddie Jackson (hamstring), OL Elijah Wilkinson (back)
