OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With the Ravens playing their biggest game of the season to date on Sunday, veteran wide receiver Steve Smith is apparently aiming to return against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 37-year-old wideout practiced on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since being sidelined with a sprained right ankle suffered in the loss to Washington on Oct. 9. He was not present for the opening portion of practice open to media, making it difficult to gauge how much he did or how he looked moving around the field.
The NFL’s 25th-ranked offense has sorely missed his presence in the passing game as well as his on-field leadership in the midst of a four-game losing streak. In five games this season, Smith has 27 catches for 310 yards and a touchdown in his return from last year’s Achilles tendon tear.
“Steve is one of the great players in the game,” said Marty Mornhinweg, who took over as offensive coordinator the day after Smith was injured. “When he is out, the next player steps up. When he can play again, we will utilize him.”
In addition to wanting to help the Ravens contend in the AFC North, Smith is just 103 receiving yards shy of tying Reggie Wayne (14,345) for eighth place on the NFL’s all-time list. The 16th-year receiver is 12 catches shy of 1,000 receptions for his career.
Inside linebacker C.J. Mosley was a limited participant for a second straight day in his return from a hamstring injury in Week 5. The 2014 first-round pick has missed each of the last two games, but the Ravens are hoping to have him available in trying to slow Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell both on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield.
“It’s great having him back, no matter who [the opponent],” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “Certainly, Bell is just a dynamic talent. Having C.J. back [is great], not only because of that but just because he’s the quarterback of our defense in there and just having a darn good player back in there playing for us.”
Cornerback Shareece Wright (hamstring) was a non-participant after failing to finish Wednesday’s practice and now would appear unlikely to play against Pittsburgh. Linebackers Elvis Dumervil (foot) and Kamalei Correa (thigh) and tight end Crockett Gillmore (thigh) were absent once again.
For the second straight day, linebacker Terrell Suggs (biceps), offensive linemen Marshal Yanda (shoulder) and Ronnie Stanley (foot), and defensive backs Lardarius Webb (hamstring) and Tavon Young (concussion) were full practice participants.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (left knee surgery) was a limited participant in practice for the second consecutive day as he appears to be on track to start against the Ravens. However, backup running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) did not practice after working on a limited basis on Wednesday, a concerning development for the Pittsburgh running game.
Below is Thursday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: LB Kamalei Correa (thigh), LB Elvis Dumervil (foot), TE Crockett Gillmore (thigh), CB Shareece Wright (thigh)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: LB C.J. Mosley (thigh), , WR Steve Smith (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION: OT Ronnie Stanley (foot), LB Terrell Suggs (bicep), S Lardarius Webb (thigh), G Marshal Yanda (shoulder), CB Tavon Young (concussion)
PITTSBURGH
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: C Cody Wallace (knee), RB DeAngelo Williams (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: QB Ben Roethlisberger (left knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Antonio Brown (hip), OT Marcus Gilbert (ankle), DE Cameron Heyward (hamstring), S Shamarko Thomas (groin), WR Markus Wheaton (shoulder)
