OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens saw one Pro Bowl player return to practice Thursday but are still missing four other starters as they move closer to Sunday’s meeting with the Oakland Raiders in Baltimore.
Free safety Ed Reed was a limited participant a day after sitting out Wednesday in what was regarded as a day off as the safety nurses shoulder and knee injuries. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, defensive end Pernell McPhee, and guards Bobbie Williams and Marshal Yanda sat out practice for the second straight day as questions regarding their availability against the Raiders now grows.
You have to begin wondering whether the Ravens are considering resting Ngata against the pass-happy Raiders with the thought of having the All-Pro defensive tackle in a better state of health when Baltimore travels to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers next week. The three-time Pro Bowl selection has been hampered by knee and shoulder injuries and struggled to make any significant impact in the Week 9 win in Cleveland.
Williams said Thursday he expected to play against the Raiders but also acknowledged they are taking it “day by day” with his injured left ankle, which now gives him a pair of bad ankles after the right one was operated on late last season as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Yanda is dealing with minor knee and ankle injuries, but it’s difficult envisioning him missing Sunday’s game if he’s able to return to the practice field on Friday. McPhee has remained noncommittal about his status for Week 10 after missing this past Sunday’s game in Cleveland.
Oakland was without running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson for the second straight day as both continue to recover from high ankle sprains. It’s appearing more likely that Taiwan Jones will start at running back on Sunday.
Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour also missed his second straight day of practice with knee and hamstring injuries.
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder), G Bobbie Williams (ankle), G Marshal Yanda (ankle/knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S Ed Reed (shoulder/knee), LB Josh Bynes (thigh), WR Jacoby Jones (toe), T Michael Oher (ankle), WR David Reed (knee), CB Jimmy Smith (abs)
FULL PARTICIPATION: S Sean Considine (chest), LS Morgan Cox (shoulder), LB Dannell Ellerbe (finger), DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu (knee), S Bernard Pollard (chest), LB Terrell Suggs (ankle)
OAKLAND
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: RB Mike Goodson (ankle), RB Darren McFaddden (ankle), DT Richard Seymour (knee/hamstring), CB Shawntae Spencer (foot)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: T Khalif Barnes (groin), TE Brandon Myers (shoulder), K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin), S Matt Giordano (hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION: T Willie Smith (knee), FB Marcel Reece (hamstring), LB Miles Burris (elbow), LB Keenan Clayton (shoulder), DT Desmond Bryant (cardiac), DE Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder), DE David Tollefson (shoulder), CB Coye Francies (thumb), S Mike Mitchell (finger), TE Richard Gordon (hamstring)
