Injury Report: Steve Smith Among Five Ravens Who Could Miss Game Against Giants
By Daniel Benjamin
The Baltimore Ravens will enter their game against the New York Giants the unhealthiest they've been this season. The Ravens Week 6 injury report includes 11 players dealing with a variety of injuries, some of which are severe enough to keep them out of Sunday's game at the MetLife Stadium. Six of the 11 players on the list were either injured during last week's loss to the Washington Redskins or this week in practice. In addition, Baltimore placed CB Sheldon Price on injured reserve with a hamstring injury (Oct. 11).
Ravens minus 4 starters
Baltimore (3-2) could be without four starters against the Giants with the biggest names being WR Steve Smith Sr. (ankle) and ILB C.J. Mosley (hamstring) as they did not practice on Friday. Pro Bowl G Marshal Yanda (shoulder), OLB Elvis Dumervil (foot), and RS Devin Hester (thigh) also were absent.
"I haven't even spoken to the trainer yet," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said when asked about whether any of the five players absent from practice were going to play this week. "The only player who probably has any chance of suiting up Sunday is Smith."
Smith rolled his ankle during the first quarter of the game against the Redskins, and did not return despite his efforts to give it a go. He finished with three catches for 29 yards on Sunday. If Smith doesn't play, the Ravens will likely rely heavily on WR Mike Wallace. Wallace (chest/ribs) had worn a red non-contact jersey on Wednesday and Thursday. He had a season-high seven receptions versus Washington. WRs Kamar Aiken and Breshad Perriman could also see an increase workload.
It is unknown when exactly Yanda hurt his shoulder, but he apparently has been nursing the injury for several weeks as he has been listed on the team's injury report with a non-disclosed injury since Week 2. The five-time Pro Bowler did play the entire game against the Redskins last week, and has missed just two games in the past four seasons. With Yanda expected to be out against the Giants, it likely means rookie Alex Lewis will get his fifth start of the season.
Hester (thigh) was seen limping noticeably through the locker room on Thursday. He has been limited or missed practice entirely the past three weeks though he has returned kicks in all five games.
Defensive injuries
On the defensive side of things, Mosley's injury (hamstring) is the most concerning as he is the team's second leading tackler. Mosley, who has a team-high three interceptions, is also responsible for making the calls on defense. Dumervil (foot) has seen sparse action since making his season debut two weeks ago.
Returning Ravens
There is some good news on the injury front for the Ravens. LT Ronnie Stanley, RT Rick Wagner and CB Shareece Wright returned to the field this week, albeit in a limited capacity. Stanley has missed the previous two weeks with a foot injury and Wright sat out last week's game due to back spasms.Wagner (thigh) returned to the field on Friday after missing the first two practices of the week.
Giants injuries
The Giants (2-3) have had a player ruled out of game in each of the first six weeks of the season, including four players last week. New York has 12 players listed on its injury report this week. CB Eli Apple (groin) is officially listed as doubtful, and is very iffy to suit up against the Ravens. OT Marshall Newhouse (calf) as well as safeties Nat Berhe (concussion) and Darian Thompson (foot) are officially ruled out. RB Rashad Jennings, CB Dominique Cromartie-Rogers, WR Dwyane Harris, LB Devon Kennard and DE Jean-Paul Pierre are questionable.
Check out the Ravens' complete Week 6 injury report.
Questionable
- Elvis Dumervil
- Devin Hester
- Kendrick Lewis, S (thigh)
- C.J. Mosley
- Ronnie Stanley
- Rick Wagner
- Mike Wallace
- Shareece Wright
