OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens will welcome back their best defensive player for Sunday’s pivotal AFC North showdown in Pittsburgh.
Despite initially fearing the worst upon hurting his right ankle in last week’s win over Cincinnati, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton practiced fully Friday and doesn’t even carry a game status designation, meaning he’ll be ready to play against the Steelers. Baltimore couldn’t have asked for a better outcome after Hamilton went down with what first looked like a more serious non-contact injury late in the first half and missed the remainder of the game. Hamilton turned his ankle after making contact with the foot of Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki and took advantage of the extra recovery time following the Thursday game.
“I kind of wish I didn’t go down the way I did because everybody on the sideline was worried and family and stuff,” said Hamilton, who was initially concerned that he’d torn his Achilles tendon. “I’m thankful and lucky that it wasn’t as serious as it could’ve been and just happy to be here right now.”
Tight end Isaiah Likely will also return to game action after sitting out Week 10 with a hamstring injury. Likely practiced fully Thursday and Friday and doesn’t carry a game status designation.
One situation to monitor is defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle), whose name resurfaced on the injury report with two limited practices to conclude the week and a questionable designation for Sunday’s game. The third-year defensive lineman had been limited with an ankle injury for multiple games before coming off the injury report last week and playing a career-high 56 defensive snaps against the Bengals. His full return coincided with Baltimore having arguably its best pass-rushing performance of the season.
Cornerback Arthur Maulet was ruled out for Week 11 after injuring his calf in Thursday’s practice. Head coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens would “have to see where we go with that,” leading one to wonder if the 31-year-old slot corner might land on injured reserve.
Defensive end Brent Urban is off the injury report and ready to return after missing two games with a concussion.
As expected, the Steelers officially ruled out starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle), but top backup edge rusher Nick Herbig will return to action after missing four straight games with a hamstring injury. Pittsburgh listed backup running back Jaylen Warren as questionable with a back injury, but starter Najee Harris (ankle) doesn’t carry a game status designation for Sunday’s game.
Below is the final injury report for Week 11:
BALTIMORE
OUT: CB Arthur Maulet (calf)
QUESTIONABLE: DT Travis Jones (ankle)
PITTSBURGH
OUT: CB C.J. Henderson (neck), OLB Alex Highsmith (ankle)
DOUBTFUL: TE MyCole Pruitt (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: CB Cory Trice (hamstring), RB Jaylen Warren (back)