 |
 |
Bears vs. RavensSunday, October 15 | 1:00 PM |
|
The Ravens have a golden opportunity to get to 4-2 by beating the Chicago Bears and their rookie quarterback this Sunday at the Bank. It would be a welcome reprieve from the disappointment felt by Ravens fans after the team had fallen to 2-2 by laying massive eggs against Jacksonville and Pittsburgh.
Running back Terrance West
(calf) and right guard Matt Skura (knee) left Sunday’s game and didn’t return. Neither of them practiced Wednesday or Thursday. Both have been ruled out against Chicago.
With West hurt, the Ravens added some running back depth by signing veteran Bobby Rainey. Rookie Jermaine Eluemunor is expected to fill in for Skura at right guard, as the two of them have split reps there over the last few weeks.
The only other players limited in practice were outside linebacker Tim Williams (thigh), wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (thigh) and defensive backs Anthony Levine (thigh) and Jaylen Hill (thigh).
Cornerback Jimmy Smith only played seven snaps in last Sunday’s win over the Oakland Raiders because of a nagging Achilles issue, and he was sidelined again during Wednesday’s practice. Smith was one of six players who didn’t practice as the Ravens prepare to face the Bears. The Ravens are being cautious with Smith, who has proven to be a shutdown corner when healthy. He’s an integral piece of the defense, and they don’t want to force the issue by having him overwork the Achilles.
“It’s been bothering him for a few weeks,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said after Sunday’s game. “It’s a nagging deal right now for him, but he’s out there and plays, and this game worked out where we rested him a little bit. He kind of went in there when he needed to.”
The Ravens haven’t suggested that the injury will force Smith to miss any games, but they may opt to pick their spots with him. Part of the reason the Ravens are able to be cautious with Smith is because rookie first-round pick Marlon Humphrey has played so well through the first five weeks of his career.
Starting defensive tackle Brandon Williams has missed the last three games with a foot injury, and he continues to be sidelined. The Ravens have not provided any specifics about the nature of the injury or an exact timeline for his return. All Harbaugh has said is that when Williams returns to practice, that’s an indication that he’s close to playing again.
Williams’ replacement in the starting lineup, Carl Davis, also missed practice with a thigh injury. He suffered the injury last week against Oakland and did not return.
The good news for the Ravens is that second-year defensive tackle Willie Henry has emerged with Williams and Davis injured. He played the best game of his young career last week, recording five tackles and a pair of passes defensed.
Wide receiver Breshad Perriman missed practice for the first time since the regular season started because of a knee issue. That injury had not been reported previously.
Perriman has dealt with knee injuries in his career, as he missed his entire rookie season because of a partially torn PCL. He then missed nearly all of training camp the next season with an injury to his other knee. It’s unknown if this knee issue is related to either of the previous injuries. Perriman hasn’t missed a game the last two seasons, and quarterback Joe Flacco talked Wednesday about getting him more involved after his big third-down catch in the second half against Oakland.
While the Ravens had some notable absences from practice, they did get tight end Maxx Williams back on the field as a full participant.
He has missed the last three games with an ankle injury, but he was a starter before getting hurt against Cleveland.
Veteran tight end Benjamin Watson was also removed from the injury report after dealing with a calf issue the last two weeks.
While the Ravens have a lengthy injury report, the Bears are mostly healthy.
Chicago only had two players missing from practice, cornerback Marcus Cooper (back) and linebacker John Timu (knee, ankle).
Chicago also got starting linebacker Danny Trevathon back on the field following his one-game suspension for a vicious hit on Patriots receiver DaVante Adams.
Bears rookie Mitchell Trubisky, the No. 2-overall pick in this year’s draft, will be a media focal point of this game. After making his NFL debut last week, Trubisky will play the first road game of his professional career in Baltimore, and the Ravens intend to make it an unpleasant experience.
“We respect all of our opponents, but we’re definitely going to try to take advantage of his first road start and him being in our house,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said.
Making his NFL debut versus the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football this week, the North Carolina product flashed his potential. Trubisky was 12-of-25 for 128 yards, one touchdown and one costly interception late in the game. He also ran three times for 22 yards.
“He is athletic. He is a talented thrower. He can move – a very athletic guy,” Harbaugh said. “He made a lot of his plays with his feet and his arm on the run. He looks like a dangerous quarterback.”
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
