Woodhead working way toward return, Stanley limited with concussion

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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As anticipated during their bye week, the Ravens released their cleanest injury report in a long time Wednesday as they continue preparations for the Week 11 trip to Green Bay.
Much attention this week centers around a player not even listed on the report as running back Danny Woodhead remains on injured reserve while continuing to practice. It’s unclear whether the 32-year-old will be activated to play against the Packers, but the Ravens are itching to have the shifty back on the field for the first time since he re-injured his left hamstring on the first drive of the season on Sept. 10.
“I think you got a little taste of Danny the first week and what he can do,” said quarterback Joe Flacco, referencing his three catches on that opening drive in Cincinnati. “He’s also a guy that knows what he’s doing in [pass] protection and can give you a lot of things, obviously. We all know he’s a good athlete. He catches the ball out of backfield well and does a lot of those things.
“I know he’s out here working to get himself healthy and get himself going, so we’ll see.”
Signed to a three-year, $8.8 million contract at the start of free agency in March, Woodhead was expected to be a vital part of the short passing game that’s been high in volume but low in productivity this season. The ninth-year veteran has averaged 9.4 yards per reception in his career and has twice caught more than 75 passes in a season.
The Ravens have understandably been cautious with Woodhead, who originally injured the hamstring during the preseason and has now missed a whopping 35 games over his last four seasons with various injuries. A decision on his status must be made by next week when his 21-day window to practice expires.
Woodhead would need to be activated by 4 p.m. Saturday to be able to play this week. On Wednesday, he offered no clues on whether that would happen.
“I don’t know the odds. I stay in my lane, and I work hard,” Woodhead said. “Whenever an opportunity comes for me, then that’s the opportunity that comes.”
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley was surprisingly listed as a limited participant with a concussion. The 2016 first-round pick missed snaps in each of the last two games with a right shoulder issue, but it’s unknown if he suffered a concussion in the Week 9 loss at Tennessee or whether it possibly occurred during Wednesday’s padded practice.
For what it’s worth, Stanley was not on the field for the Ravens’ final offensive play against the Titans two weeks ago.
Tight end Nick Boyle was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice after missing the final game before the bye with a toe injury. Running back Terrance West (calf) and wide receiver Michael Campanaro (shoulder) also participated fully and appear primed to return after extended absences.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith (Achilles tendinitis) was the only player on the 53-man roster not to practice, but that wasn’t surprising since the veteran defensive back has routinely missed Wednesday practices since early October.
Meanwhile, the Packers held out running back Ty Montgomery, who continues to deal with sore ribs and is a question mark to play. Fellow running back Aaron Jones is expected to miss at least a few weeks with a knee injury suffered in last Sunday’s win over Chicago, leaving rookie Jamaal Williams as the favorite to start on Sunday.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Jimmy Smith (Achilles)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: OT Ronnie Stanley (concussion)
FULL PARTICIPATION: TE Nick Boyle (toe), WR Michael Campanaro (shoulder), S Chuck Clark (thigh), RB Terrance West (calf), LB Tim Williams (thigh)
GREEN BAY
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: OT Bryan Bulaga (knee), S Morgan Burnett (groin), RB Aaron Jones (knee), RB Ty Montgomery (ribs)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: LB Ahmad Brooks (back), CB Kevin King (shoulder), G Justin McCray (ankle), LB Nick Perry (foot)
FULL PARTICIPATION: DT Quinton Dial (chest), QB Brett Hundley (hamstring), LB Joe Thomas (ankle)

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