OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Getting through the first quarter of the season without sustaining a significant injury, the Ravens will take advantage of the weekend off after Thursday night’s win over Cleveland to take care of some minor injuries.
Though deeming his team’s ailments as “nothing serious” on Friday, Harbaugh confirmed wide receiver Torrey Smith and quarterback Joe Flacco suffered minor ankle sprains in the 23-16 win over the Browns. Smith limped off the field at one point during the fourth quarter while Flacco rolled his ankle on the Ravens’ final offensive play of the night.
The Baltimore secondary is also dealing with lingering issues as cornerback Lardarius Webb has been dealing with minor soreness related to the ACL injury he sustained at the end of his rookie season in 2009. Webb underwent surgery and was able to return for the start of the 2010 season.
“He’s always got his issue,” Harbaugh said. “You know he had an ACL two years ago, so that’s always part of the deal with him.”
Free safety Ed Reed injured his hamstring in the season-opening win over Cincinnati on Sept. 10 and continues to receive treatment to keep him healthy enough to play. The 34-year-old hasn’t missed a game and has been limited in only a few practices, according to the team’s injury reports.
Harbaugh is not concerned about the status of any of the four banged-up starters for the Ravens’ next game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 7.
“Ed Reed’s done a great job with his hamstring, rehabbing-wise, but he’ll fight through that,” the coach said. “All those guys should be fine for next week.”
After the offseason Achilles tendon injury to linebacker Terrell Suggs and season-ending injuries in the preseason to defensive end Ryan McBean and safety Emanuel Cook, the Ravens have remained healthy since the start of the regular season with only offensive lineman Jah Reid missing extended time with a calf injury and linebacker Paul Kruger missing one game with a bad back.
Harbaugh credited the work of the training staff for his players’ ability to avoid minor injuries that can linger for extended periods of time.
“We’ve been healthy for a reason,” Harbaugh said. “Sometimes, you get the big ones — the bone breaks and stuff like that — but the little ones — the tweaks and the strains — we’ve been pretty strong through that stuff.”
