Rice, Canty return to practice; rookie M. Brown sits out

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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism Wednesday that Ray Rice would be able to play against the Buffalo Bills and the Pro Bowl running back’s return to practice so early in the week is a strong predictor of that happening.
The sixth-year practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday after missing his first game since the 2008 season in the win over the Houston Texans. Harbaugh’s willingness to talk about Rice’s return to practice supports the notion that the running back was close to being able to play on Sunday despite being listed as doubtful on last week’s injury report.
“Very hopeful. I would expect that,” said Harbaugh when asked whether he thought Rice would practice this week. “That’s the plan right now. We’re going to try to get him out there [Wednesday] and see what he can do, and we’ll have our fingers crossed.”
Defensive end Chris Canty (groin), linebacker Arthur Brown (pectoral), and wide receiver Deonte Thompson (foot) were also limited in their return to the practice field as it appears the Ravens are slowly but surely getting healthier. Of those three, Brown appeared to be very limited as he wore a yellow cap on his helmet.
Thompson practiced on a limited basis last Wednesday before sitting out the final two workouts of the week and told reporters that he would really test out his foot to see how close he is to returning to the field. The second-year wide receiver hasn’t practiced since injuring his foot in the preseason opener on Aug. 8.
If he’s able to play against Buffalo, Thompson would provide the Ravens another option in the kickoff return game as Tandon Doss and Shaun Draughn have handled those duties over the last two weeks. Draughn suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3, which could leave the Ravens thin in the return game.
“I’m coming along great,” Thompson said. “We’re going to go out today and see how I feel and try to do a lot on it and see how it holds up. There’s still some soreness in [the foot]. We’ll definitely know after this week.”
Wide receivers Jacoby Jones (knee) and Marlon Brown (neck), outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), nose tackle Terrence Cody (knee), Draughn (ankle), and offensive lineman Ryan Jensen (foot) did not participate in Monday’s workout. Harbaugh expressed significant doubt that Cody would be able to play in Week 4 after he injured his knee in the first quarter of the win over the Houston Texans.
Jones has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game as he continues to rehab the MCL injury he suffered in the season opener on Sept. 5.
Listed as a limited particdipant, defensive tackle Brandon Williams (toe) was practicing once again after he was a limited participant in practices last week. He did not play against the Texans, but he appears to have a chance to make his return to action for the first time since injuring his toe in the preseason finale on Aug. 29.
During the viewing portion of practice, left tackle Bryant McKinnie appeared to be limited and was not taking his normal number of practice reps. Both of his ankles were taped, but it was unclear whether he suffered an injury in Sunday’s game and wasn’t listed on the injury report.
Newly-claimed safety Jeromy Miles was taking part in practice and wearing No. 36 while rookie safety Brynden Trawick officially became part of the Ravens’ practice squad.
Linebacker Brandon Copeland was waived to make room for Trawick on the developmental squad.
For Buffalo, 10 players sat out Wednesday’s practice including defensive end Mario Williams (ankle), defensive tackle Kyle Williams, wide receiver Stevie Johnson (hamstring), and cornerback Leodis McKelvin (hamstring).
However, starting running back C.J. Spiller (quadriceps) was a full participant for the Bills.
Here is the official injury report for Wednesday:
BALTIMORE
OUT: WR Jacoby Jones (knee)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: WR Marlon Brown (neck), DT Terrence Cody (knee), RB Shaun Draughn (ankle), C Ryan Jensen (foot), LB/DE Pernell McPhee (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: LB Arthur Brown (chest), DE Chris Canty (thigh), RB Ray Rice (hip), WR Deonte Thompson (foot), DT Brandon Williams (toe)
BUFFALO
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DB Ron Brooks (foot), DT Alex Carrington (quad), CB Stephon Gilmore (wrist), WR Marquise Goodwin (hand), K Dustin Hopkins (R. groin), WR Stevie Johnson (hamstring), CB Leodis McKelvin (hamstring), G Kraig Urbik (knee), DT Kyle Williams (achilles), DE Mario Williams (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: FS Jarius Byrd (foot), DT Marcell Dareus (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION: G Doug Legursky (knee), RB C.J. Spiller (quad)