OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With the Ravens conducting a final practice this week before a much-deserved long weekend, running back Ray Rice was missing from the open portion of practice open to the media on Thursday.
Rice practiced on Wednesday and spoke to the media following the workout, a good indication the Pro Bowl back was simply receiving an extra day off. Other absentees included linebackers Ray Lewis (toe), Jameel McClain (knee), and Brendon Ayanbadejo (quadriceps), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (thigh), and right guard Marshal Yanda (ribs/thigh). Injuries listed in parentheses are unofficial with the Ravens not releasing an injury report this week.
Left guard Ben Grubbs returned to practice after receiving a day to rest the turf toe condition that forced him to miss six games earlier this season.
Running back Ray Rice has been voted the team’s Most Valuable Player by the Baltimore media while safety Bernard Pollard was the recipient of the Media Nice Guy award. I’ll have more later in the afternoon.
