OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown is still expected to make his return to action for Sunday night’s tilt against New England, but how effective he’ll be remains to be seen.
The rookie first-round pick sat out Friday’s practice and was officially listed as questionable to play against the Patriots. Brown has missed the last two games with a right ankle sprain sustained in Week 5 and has been seen walking with a limp this week, but Friday’s injury report listed him as also dealing with a thigh issue, which may help explain his absence after two days of limited practice work.
Baltimore gave Brown the final practice off in each of the first three weeks of the regular season, but no other players received a day off from practice this week coming off the bye.
“We’re just managing that. There’s a certain number of reps that we’re kind of working through right now with him,” said head coach John Harbaugh after Friday’s practice. “I do expect him to be out there on Sunday unless something unforeseen happens. You can never be sure, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Cornerback Jimmy Smith was upgraded to full participation on Friday and will play for the first time since injuring his right knee early in the Sept. 8 season opener against Miami. The 31-year-old began practicing on a limited basis while wearing a bulky brace two weeks ago, but he sported a lighter wrap on his right knee this week.
With cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and Brandon Carr all in the mix, the Ravens won’t feel pressured to play Smith an excessive number of snaps after missing six straight games. Smith was officially designated as questionable on the injury report.
“He moved well. Jimmy and I just talked out there at the end of practice,” Harbaugh said. “He feels good, moved well. He’s going to play if that’s what you’re asking, and I expect him to play at a high level.”
The Ravens also listed inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor (right ankle) and cornerback Maurice Canady (thigh) as questionable after both were limited in practice all week. Onwuasor is expected to return after a two-game absence.
Safety Earl Thomas (knee) is officially questionable after being limited for the second straight day, but he made clear his intentions to play on Thursday.
Another situation worth monitoring has nothing to do with an injury, but it involved wide receiver and special-teams standout Chris Moore, who left the field after what appeared to be a heated discussion with Harbaugh during the portion of practice open to media. It’s unclear whether Moore returned to practice, but Harbaugh downplayed the incident without offering any details.
“It’s just an internal thing,” Harbaugh said. “Not a big deal — we hope. It’s fine.”
The Patriots listed eight players as questionable on their final injury report, but the most interesting development was the addition of running back James White, who was limited on Friday with a toe injury. White ranks second on the team with 42 catches for 358 receiving yards and a touchdown and is a versatile weapon in the New England offense.
New England also listed No. 1 wide receiver Julian Edelman (chest/shoulder), right guard Shaq Mason (ankle), and safety Patrick Chung (heel/chest) as questionable, but that trio practiced all week on a limited basis.
Former Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks, whose priority was three spots after Baltimore’s. In other words, general manager Eric DeCosta didn’t put in a claim for the talented but troubled receiver.
According to NFLWeather.com, the Sunday night forecast for Baltimore calls for clear skies and temperatures falling into the low 40s by kickoff with winds around five miles per hour and no chance of precipitation.
Below is the final injury report of the week:
BALTIMORE
QUESTIONABLE: WR Marquise Brown (ankle/thigh), CB Maurice Canady (thigh), S Bennett Jackson (ankle), G Patrick Mekari (back), LB Patrick Onwuasor (ankle), CB Jimmy Smith (knee), S Earl Thomas (knee)
NEW ENGLAND
QUESTIONABLE: RB Rex Burkhead (foot), S Patrick Chung (heel/chest), WR Julian Edelman (chest/shoulder), TE Ryan Izzo (concussion), TE Matt LaCosse (knee), G Shaq Mason (ankle), WR Gunner Olszewski (ankle/hamstring), RB James White (toe)
