(Updated: 1:30 p.m.)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A day after creating concern with their unexpected absence from practice, linebacker Terrell Suggs and safety Ed Reed returned to the field Friday.
Reed sat out with a shoulder injury, but it was unclear whether it stemmed from the stinger he suffered a few weeks ago in the Jacksonville or from the nerve impingement he’s dealt with for the last few seasons. Suggs had not appeared on the injury report prior to Thursday, and it’s not clear whether he injured his knee in Wednesday’s practice. Coach John Harbaugh said following Friday’s practice that both players sat out Thursday in order to rest.
“[The knee’s] good,” Suggs said. “Sometimes, things just flare up. It’s the NFL, but I’m good.”
The Pro Bowl linebacker was amused when a media member asked him about his status for Sunday.
“I don’t know,” said Suggs, drawing laughter from the gathered reporters. “I guess I’ll be a game-time decision. I guess we have to see. You all know the rule — we’re not allowed to talk about injuries around here.”
When Suggs was told Harbaugh said Thursday was a day of rest and not an injury concern, the animated defensive player cleared up any lingering doubt about his status.
“It’s not a big deal,” Suggs said. “I mean, come on, man. How long have you all been covering me? Nine years. You all know the story — if I can breathe, I’m good.”
Wide receiver Lee Evans (left ankle) practiced for the third straight day and could be available to play if needed for the first time since the Ravens’ Week 2 loss to the Tennessee Titans. However, Evans has been limited all week, so his exact level of activity in practice is a mystery. Either way, the 30-year-old veteran’s ability to stack three practices in a row is a vast improvement over several past attempts to return to action over the last two and a half months.
Brendon Ayanbadejo was on the practice field again, but the linebacker has not been cleared for contact as of yet. He will take the concussion test again on Saturday, and both he and Harbaugh expect him to be cleared to play on Sunday. The special teams standout sustained a concussion in the 23-20 win over the Steelers last Sunday night.
“I feel fine, but the main thing is I just have to pass my test,” said Ayanbadejo, who said his reaction time was slow when he was tested earlier in the week. “I’m just anticipating it, and I think I’m going to read online, so I can study and see exactly what [the doctor’s] going to do, so I can get a little cheating so I can get this thing passed so I can help my team on Sunday.”
Running back Anthony Allen (thigh) was the only player absent from the field during the portion of practice open to the media. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday before sitting out a day later.
Sunday’s officiating crew will be led by Scott Green, who called the Ravens’ Week 3 win in St. Louis. The game-time temperature in Seattle is forecasted to be in the high 40s with a 40 percent chance of precipitation.
The Ravens will depart for Seattle late Friday afternoon in an effort to adjust to the time change ahead of Sunday’s game at 4:05 p.m.
