Team Headlines: The Ravens Have Spotless Record Against Cowboys
By Daniel Benjamin
In the history of the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens have never lost to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Ravens will head into AT&T Stadium in Dallas this Sunday with a perfect 4-0 record against the Cowboys. In fact, the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders are the only other teams that have a winning record against the Cowboys.
The last time the Ravens and Cowboys faced each other was in 2012, when star Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis tore his triceps muscle and missed most of the rest of the season. Lewis, of course, returned in time to help lead the Ravens to a victory over San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII.
That's not the only memorable game of the series.
In 2008, the Ravens closed Texas Stadium in tantalizing fashion for the Cowboys. The teams combined to score 34 fourth quarter points, but fullback Le'Ron McClain sealed the victory for the Ravens by breaking free for an 82-yard touchdown with 1:18 remaining. McClain's touchdown was on the very first play from scrimmage following a Cowboys touchdown that cut the deficit to two.
Baltimore routed Dallas the other two times the franchises met. In 2000, the Ravens shut out the Troy Aikman-led Cowboys (27-0) for their record fourth straight shutout. Then in 2004, the Ravens improved to 7-3 with a 30-10 victory.
Four players return to practice
The Ravens received some positive news on the injury front when the players returned to work after a six-day layoff on Wednesday. Four players who missed last Thursday night's game were back on the practice field: Linebackers Elvis Dumervil and Kamalei Correa, right guard Marshal Yanda and cornerback Shareece Wright.
Dumervil has been out the longest of the four, missing the last four contests due to foot problems related to his offseason surgery. He's played in just two games this year. Yanda has missed three of the past four contests with a shoulder injury. Wright has missed three consecutive games with a pulled hamstring while Correa has sat out the past two with a thigh injury.
Rookie left guard Alex Lewis (high right ankle sprain), cornerback Jimmy Smith (leg) and tight end Crockett Gilmore (pulled hamstring) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Smith was injured late in the Ravens win against the Browns as was Lewis, who is expected to miss six weeks.
Recently promoted cornerback Asa Jackson may take over as returner
The Ravens promoted cornerback Asa Jackson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Tuesday. Jackson replaces rookie defensive tackle Willie Henry, who was placed on IR.
Jackson was a fifth-round draft choice of the Ravens in 2012 and was with the team until 2015. He re-signed with the Ravens in October after short stints with the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson could be an insurance policy for Smith and/or Wright, if either are unable to go in Sunday. He also can be used on kick coverage. Jackson reportedly could replace Devin Hester as kick/punt returner as Hester is still dealing with a groin injury and has fumbled four times.
Jackson has appeared in 18 career games and has recorded 30 tackles, three pass defensed as well as three blocked kicks. Henry, a fourth-round draft selection, had been active for only one game and did not appear in any game action.
The Ravens made a few other minor moves in addition to promoting Jackson. Baltimore terminated quarterback David Fales from the practice squad. The team also signed guard Jarrod Pughsley and tight end Austin Traylor to the practice squad.