(Updated: Saturday 1:30 p.m.)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. โ The Ravens have designated seven players as questionable and ruled two others out for Sundayโs AFC North meeting with the Cleveland Browns.
Outside linebacker Tim Williams and cornerback Anthony Averett wonโt play after missing practices all week with hamstring injuries while the list of questionable players is headlined by defensive tackle Michael Pierce (foot), outside linebacker ZaโDarius Smith (hamstring), and rookie first-round tight end Hayden Hurst (foot).
Pierce hadnโt been included on the injury report all week before missing Fridayโs practice, a concerning development since he missed the Denver game two weeks ago with a foot injury. Smith practiced on a limited basis on Friday, but he didnโt appear close to 100 percent during the media viewing portion of the workout, leaving Baltimoreโs depth at outside linebacker potentially vulnerable. Hurst was still only a limited participant in practices all week, leaving some question as to whether heโll be active against the Browns after missing the first four games of the season.
One player not listed on the injury report who will make his 2018 season debut on Sunday is cornerback Jimmy Smith. The Ravens officially elevated Smith to the 53-man roster on Saturday as heโll officially make his return from a four-game suspension for violating the NFLโs personal conduct policy.
โHe obviously did a really good job of staying in shape [and] worked hard over the period of time that he was away,โ head coach John Harbaugh said. โThat was good to see. Heโs getting in football shape; I think he mentioned that. Thatโs part of it. You have to play the game to play the game. But I feel good about where heโs at and anticipate him playing on Sunday and playing well.โ
Baltimore waived rookie cornerback Darious Williams to make room for Smith on the active roster, leaving the Ravens with four healthy cornerbacks against the Browns. Williams appeared in three games and would seem to be a logical candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Cornerback Brandon Carr (knee), defensive back Anthony Levine (hamstring), and running back Alex Collins (knee) were all full participants on Friday, leaving little doubt about their status for Week 5. Collins wasnโt even listed on the final game status injury report, backing up Harbaughโs Friday assertion that the starting back was fine.
After practicing all week on a limited basis for the first time since undergoing hernia surgery in late August, defensive tackle Willie Henry was listed as questionable for Sunday.
โHe looked good. Willie hasnโt done quite as much because of the nature of his injury,โ Harbaugh said. โWeโll just have to see about that and see how he responds to practice today and things like that. Really, the other part of that is going to be the roster and where weโre at with the 46-, 53-[man roster] numbers and the injuries and things like that. That will all kind of play into that decision. He probably could go. Whether he will or not, Iโll probably know within 24 hours.โ
Starting left guard Alex Lewis was a late addition to the injury report after being limited with a shoulder issue on Friday. Whether itโs the same shoulder that was surgically repaired last August is unclear, but Lewis was listed as questionable.
Meanwhile, the Browns officially ruled out reserve middle linebacker James Burgess with a knee injury and designated starting outside linebcker Christian Kirksey (illness) and starting safety Damarious Randall (heel) as questionable.
According to Weather.com, the Sunday forecast for Cleveland calls for partly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms and temperatures reaching the mid-70s. There is a 40-percent chance of rain with winds five to 10 miles per hour.
Below is the final injury report for Sundayโs game:
BALTIMORE
OUT: CB Anthony Averett (hamstring), LB Tim Williams (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: CB Brandon Carr (knee), DT Willie Henry (abdomen), TE Hayden Hurst (foot). DB Anthony Levine (hamstring), G Alex Lewis (shoulder), DT Michael Pierce (foot), LB ZaโDarius Smith (hamstring)
CLEVELAND
OUT: LB James Burgess (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Christian Kirksey (illness), S Damarious Randall (heel)
Seven Ravens players designated as questionable for Cleveland game
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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