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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Just a couple hours after proclaiming the ankle injury he suffered in the season opener to be one of the worst of his career, Ravens right tackle Michael Oher returned to the practice field on Wednesday.
The fifth-year lineman was listed as a full participant on Wednesday’s injury report, confirming reports that indicated the sprained ankle he suffered when right guard Marshal Yanda rolled into his leg was not considered serious. Oher has never missed a game in his NFL career and Wednesday’s development was a strong indication of that streak continuing on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
“It’s definitely hurting me pretty good, pretty bad, so I’m just getting a lot of treatment and trying to stay on top of it,” Oher said prior to practicing. “Hopefully, I can go Sunday. I work hard to be out there every Sunday for the team, but this is one of the worst sprains I’ve had.”
Newly-signed kick returner and No. 3 running back Shaun Draughn was on the practice field just hours after being signed by the Ravens to sure up the void they have at the kick return spot after the MCL injury sustained by wide receiver Jacoby Jones last week. Backup running back Bernard Pierce will remain in the mix on kickoffs, but the Ravens would prefer not exposing him to the regular wear and tear of the return game if possible.
As expected, defensive tackle Arthur Jones also returned to the practice field on a limited basis after missing nearly three weeks due to a viral infection. Coach John Harbaugh indicated earlier in the week that the Ravens will need to see where Jones is from a conditioning standpoint to determine whether he will return to game action in Week 2.
Wide receivers Jacoby Jones and Deonte Thompson (foot), offensive lineman Ryan Jensen (foot), and defensive tackle Brandon Williams were not practicing on Wednesday. The Pro Bowl return specialist Jones has already been ruled out for Sunday as he’s projected to miss at least a month, and it remains unlikely that the other three will be ready to play against Cleveland this Sunday.
Also absent from the field on Wednesday was rookie wide receiver Aaron Mellette, which was an interesting development after he was inactive for the season opener against Denver. The Ravens later placed Mellette on injured reserve with what was listed as a knee injury, clearing a roster spot for Draughn.
For the Cleveland Browns, rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingo (lung) returned the the practice field and has been cleared for contact, meaning he could make his NFL debut in Baltimore on Sunday.
Here’s the official injury report for Wednesday:
BALTIMORE
OUT: WR Jacoby Jones (knee)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: C Ryan Jensen (foot), WR Deonte Thompson (foot), DT Brandon Williams (toe)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DT Art Jones (illness – NFI), RB Bernard Pierce (thigh)
FULL PARTICIPATION: T Michael Oher (ankle)
CLEVELAND
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: G Shawn Lauvao (ankle), DL Ahtyba Rubin (calf), DB T.J. Ward (shoulder)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DB Buster Skrine (shoulder), LB Barkevious Mingo (lung), WR Travis Benjamin (thigh)
