Torrey Smith listed as probable to play against Jacksonville

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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As the Ravens move closer to Sunday’s meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars, wide receiver Torrey Smith is expected to be a game-time decision despite being listed as probable on the final injury report of the week.
The fourth-year wideout returned to practice on Friday after sitting out the previous two days, but he still appeared to be feeling the effects of a sprained right knee that limited him to just 15 snaps in last Sunday’s win over Miami, making his official game designation surprising.
The 2011 second-round pick says he hasn’t missed a game since his junior year of high school, and he played through a high ankle sprain for much of his final season at the University of Maryland in 2010. Smith injured his knee in the fourth quarter of the Week 13 loss to San Diego.
“Sometimes it’s better for coach to save me from myself,” said Smith when asked how much he’ll lobby to play against the Jaguars. “I’ve never had to make a call like that. I can play through pain, but it’s just a matter of weighing if it’s worth lingering for a few weeks or is it going to be ready on Sunday. I don’t know the answer yet.”
Smith was limping while running routes during the portion of practice open to reporters Friday, and it would appear to make little sense for him to play against the 2-11 Jaguars if he isn’t close to 100 percent and would benefit from more rest. Kamar Aiken handled the bulk of the workload in Smith’s place against the Dolphins, catching six passes for 65 yards and a 13-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The 25-year-old continues to receive treatment and acknowledged he’s feeling much better now than he did earlier in the week. Smith told reporters Friday that he plans to go through an on-field workout Sunday morning before a decision is made on his availability.
Of course, the Ravens could elect to activate Smith and adjust his playing time based on how he’s feeling during the game.
“We’ll see how it goes. He practiced [Friday],” Harbaugh said. “He looked pretty good, so we’ll see how [the knee] is Sunday.”
Veteran wideout Steve Smith missed his second straight practice and was listed as probable for the Jaguars game, but Friday’s absence was due to an illness after he took his typical Thursday off. Harbaugh did not seem concerned about the 35-year-old’s availability for Sunday’s game after he felt well enough to watch the final practice of the week.
Rookie tight end Crockett Gillmore (back) returned to practice on a limited basis Friday, but he was listed as questionable after he missed the first game of his career last Sunday.
Rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) was once again absent from practice and is expected to miss Sunday’s game despite being designated questionable. The Ravens could promote rookie Fitz Toussaint from the practice squad Saturday if Taliaferro cannot play against the Jaguars.
“He comes out here and he goes against our defense, and they get after him pretty good,” said Harbaugh about the rookie free agent from Michigan. “He plays the game pretty much on Wednesday and Thursday as much as you can simulate it. He’s ready to go, and we have a lot of confidence in him if he’s needed.”
Harbaugh confirmed that cornerback Anthony Levine has been cleared after going through the NFL concussion protocol and is fine to play against Jacksonville after he was a full participant in the final two practices of the week. Levine was listed as probable and left last Sunday’s game with the head injury in the first quarter.
The referee for Sunday’s game will be Tony Corrente.
According to Weather.com, Sunday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with a high of 47 degrees and winds at 10 to 15 miles per hour.
Below is the final injury report of the week:
BALTIMORE
QUESTIONABLE: TE Crockett Gilmore (back), OL Jah Reid (hand), RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot)
PROBABLE: TE Owen Daniels (non-injury), S Anthony Levine (concussion), LB Daryl Smith (non-injury), WR Steve Smith (illness), WR Torrey Smith (knee), LB Terrell Suggs (non-injury)
JACKSONVILLE
OUT: DE Andre Branch (groin), LB Khairi Fortt (hamstring), RB Denard Robinson (foot)
PROBABLE: QB Blake Bortles (right shoulder), DE Chris Clemons (knee), S Josh Evans (finger), RB Toby Gerhart (ankle), LB Geno Hayes (rest), DT Sen’Derrick Marks (rest), WR Tommy Streeter (abdominal), LB J.T. Thomas (ankle)
 

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