There’s no easy way to say this— the Ravens are pretty banged up heading into Cincinnati on Sunday. It’s a must-win if they are to take the AFC North Division title (and the home-field advantage and possible Bye that could go with it based on what happens in some other big games around the AFC).
No, Ray Rice is not injured, and he did not hurt himself shaving in this locker room scene… but there’s a real logjam of injured bodies piling up at wide receiver and on both lines of the Ravens…enough to give pause for concern about this team’s ability to stay healthy throughout the playoffs.
John Harbaugh gave his injury report to the press on Monday afternoon, and he was unusually candid and forthcoming about the extent of the injuries.
Harbaugh confirmed right guard Marshal Yanda has a rib contusion (bruise), which he suffered in the second half of Saturday’s game when he took a knee from a defender. The head coach revealed that Yanda also has a thigh contusion. “They’re good bruises, so we’ll see where that goes,” Harbaugh said.
If Yanda can’t play on Sunday, he would likely be replaced by backup center Andre Gurode.
Kicker Billy Cundiff, who was replaced by Shayne Graham on Saturday to give Cundiff a chance to rest his ailing calf, is “doing really well.” Harbaugh wants to see Cundiff kick at practice before determining whether he’ll be good to go in the game. Harbaugh said he won’t carry two kickers on the roster if Cundiff is healthy, so Graham – who went 2-for-2 from 48 and 43 yards – would be cut. Harbaugh will know more on Wednesday or Thursday.
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin is also progressing. Boldin had knee surgery to repair a slightly torn meniscus tendon and the swelling has already subsided. I still have trouble believing Boldin will be able to return to full capacity at WR in time for the playoffs.
Starting cornerback Cary Williams and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe both suffered concussions against the Browns and their status for Sunday is cloudy at this point. “Both are looking pretty decent today,” Harbaugh said. “With concussions you never really know. We’ll just have to see when and if they get cleared. We’ll keep our fingers crossed on that.” Both players would need to pass NFL-mandated concussion tests before returning to play, which happen late in the week or on Saturdays.
Defensive end Cory Redding tried to work out his injured ankle before the Browns game, but was unable to go and was deactivated. Harbaugh said “he’s looking good today.” Again, I doubt Redding will be able to go at full strength against the Bengals on Sunday. Arthur Jones will likely start in his place.
Wide receiver David Reed suffered an isolated torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and has been placed on injured reserve. His season is over. He will begin rehab as soon as he has surgery, but a date has not been set for that yet.
What bothers me as much as what Harbaugh revealed about injuries at the presser on Monday is what he didn’t mention…
CB Lardarius Webb is still not 100 percent… Ed Reed is playing with a painful neck stinger again… Ray Lewis’ turf toe is still bothering him…CB Chris Carr is playing nickel corner but still a step slow as he continues his injury rehab… veteran C Matt Birk is hurting… and with Boldin and David Reed out of the lineup, the Ravens are down to one of the thinnest receiving corps in the league at wideout. Basically, it’s three rookies at WR for the Ravens now: Torrey Smith, Laquan Williams and Tandon Doss. That is not a good situation for Joe Flacco’s offense.
The Ravens are getting pressure from the public to sign ex-Ravens veteran Derrick Mason to help out at WR. Mason was recently released by the Houstan Texans when Andre Johnson came back after his injury. Mason knows the Ravens system and opponents’ schemes inside out. Even though the Ravens deny having any interest in signing Mason as a free agent to help them out at this time, it would not surprise me to see it happen. If they were going to make that move, it needs to happen within a day or two of this posting.
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