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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens’ injury picture continued to improve on Thursday as running back Ray Rice practiced for the second straight day and starting wide receiver Marlon Brown returned to the field after a one-day absence.
Rice (hip flexor strain) worked on a limited basis Wednesday and was moving very well during the open portion of Thursday’s practice, making it very likely that the Pro Bowl running back will return to action Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The 26-year-old missed his first game since his 2008 rookie season this past Sunday.
“Anytime that you have Ray [Rice] on the field … He’s a game-breaker. Not only in terms of being able to run the ball, which we all know and understand, but also in the passing game. He’s like lighting in a bottle. Having him certainly opens things up. You have to be concerned about him, and he feels good right now, so things are going well.”
Brown did not participate on Wednesday and is dealing with a neck injury, but he was a full participant during Thursday’s practice as he’s filled a significant role in the offense with the absence of speedy wide receiver Jacoby Jones. Third-string running back Shaun Draughn (ankle) also returned to practice a day after sitting out but was moving slowly as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 3.
In addition to Rice, defensive end Chris Canty (groin), linebacker Arthur Brown (pectoral), and wide receiver Deonte Thompson (foot) all practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day after missing this past Sunday’s game against Houston.
Offensive lineman Ryan Jensen (foot), rush specialist Pernell McPhee (knee), defensive tackle Terrence Cody (knee), and Jones (knee) did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Of those four, only McPhee would appear to have any real chance to play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Left tackle Bryant McKinnie appeared to be moving around much better than he did on Wednesday when he took fewer reps than normal, but the veteran lineman wasn’t listed on Wednesday’s injury report.
After 10 Buffalo players did not practice on Wednesday, the Bills upgraded five of the sidelined to limited participant as wide receiver Stevie Johnson (hamstring), cornerback Leodis McKelvin (hamstring), defensive tackle Kyle Williams (Achilles), and defensive end Mario Williams (ankle) were all working on Thursday.
BALTIMORE
OUT: WR Jacoby Jones (knee)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DT Terrence Cody (knee), 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), RB Shaun Draughn (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Marlon Brown (neck)
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)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: FS Jarius Byrd (foot), DT Marcell Dareus (ankle), WR Stevie Johnson (hamstring), CB Leodis McKelvin (hamstring), G Kraig Urbik (knee), DT Kyle Williams (Achilles), DE Mario Williams (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION: G Doug Legursky (knee), RB C.J. Spiller (quad)
