The Ravens will again be shorthanded in the secondary for their critical Week 16 game against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Jimmy Smith (ribs/shoulder) was ruled out Friday while Marcus Peters (calf) missed the entire week of practice, making it a strong possibility that Baltimore will be without two of its top three cornerbacks for the second straight week. Peters was officially listed as questionable on the final injury report, but the three-time Pro Bowl selection hasn’t practiced since hurting his calf late in the Week 14 win at Cleveland on Dec. 14.
Head coach John Harbaugh indicated after last Sunday’s win over Jacksonville that Peters was close to being able to play against the Jaguars, but his extended absence from practice doesn’t bode well for his availability against the Giants. Should Peters not be able to play, third-year cornerback Anthony Averett would be in line to make his second straight start opposite 2020 Pro Bowl selection Marlon Humphrey with veteran Tramon Williams playing the nickel.
After a strong start to the season, Smith will now have missed four of the last seven games and suffered an early exit in two other contests. Since the Week 9 win over Indianapolis, the 32-year-old has played a total of 59 defensive snaps after playing 42 or more in six of the first eight games of the season.
In more encouraging health news, defensive end Calais Campbell was a full participant in practice for the first time since injuring his left calf in the Nov. 8 win over the Colts. The six-time Pro Bowl defensive end was officially listed as questionable, but his increased practice activity is encouraging after he was scratched for last Sunday’s win. Campbell, 34, has missed four games this season after starting all 16 in each of the previous five years and missing a total of six contests over his first 12 NFL seasons.
After missing Thursday’s practice with a knee issue, wide receiver Marquise Brown was a full participant on Friday, easing any doubts about his Week 16 availability. Veteran wide receiver Dez Bryant was also upgraded to full participation after missing Wednesday’s workout and being limited for the workout on Christmas Eve.
Of the 10 Baltimore players listed as questionable on the final injury report, all but Peters and defensive back Anthony Levine (abdomen) practiced fully on Friday. Levine worked on a limited basis as he continues to play through an abdominal injury that’s hindered him since late September.
The Giants ruled out veteran receiver Golden Tate (calf) for Sunday’s game while listing starting quarterback Daniel Jones (hamstring/ankle) as questionable. Jones was a limited participant in practices all week, an encouraging sign for his status.
Below is the final injury report of the week:
BALTIMORE
OUT: CB Jimmy Smith (ribs/shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Marquise Brown (knee), WR Dez Bryant (thigh), DE Calais Campbell (calf), DB Anthony Levine (abdomen), OLB Pernell McPhee (knee), CB Marcus Peters (calf), OL Tyre Phillips (concussion), FB Patrick Ricard (knee), OL Matt Skura (back), LB Kristian Welch (foot)
NEW YORK
OUT: WR Golden Tate (calf)
QUESTIONABLE: DB Darnay Holmes (knee), QB Daniel Jones (hamstring/ankle), LB Blake Martinez (ankle)
