Ravens RB Ray Rice Will Be A Game-Time Decision Against Buffalo Bills
By Samuel Njoku
The Ravens suffered quite a few crucial injuries in the 2012 season. So far, it appears as though those same issues are lingering in 2013. It's too early to tell whether or not these injuries will push the Ravens into another title chase. But we do know the injuries are beginning to take their toll on the production of the offense as a whole.
Ray Rice suffered a hip flexor sprain against the Cleveland Browns in week two of the NFL season. The sprain wasn't thought to be serious but he didn't suit up for the matchup against the Houston Texans. But based on his participation in practice, it appears Rice has a good chance of playing against the Buffalo Bills. Though limited, Rice practiced the entire week and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Likely a game-time decision, he expressed confidence in the condition of his hip.
"What I did was push myself to a limit where I would feel that was good enough," Ravens running back Ray Rice told reporters on Friday. "The biggest thing with my kind of injury is just your legs getting tired. It's not where it's at physically. I was able to sustain a whole level of practice. And you know the way we practice around here is we practice very hard. And so that was a good sign."
Ray Rice will warm up with the rest of the team on Sunday. If his hip holds up, he'll be active at the game. Against the 30th ranked rush defense, his appearance could be huge for a Ravens team with not a lot going for them right now.
With the Ravens struggles through the air, they could ill afford to lose another starting wide receiver. Marlon Brown didn't participate in practice on Wednesday due to a neck injury that caught many people off guard. But it appears that he's fine after practicing on Thursday and Friday.
"I just had a stiff neck, that's all," Ravens wide receiver Marlon Brown told reporters when asked about the injury. He will play on Sunday.
Terrence Cody's status is a lot less promising for Baltimore as he is dealing with a knee injury that forced him out of last Sunday's match-up against the Houston Texans. He hasn't practiced all week and is doubtful for the game against Buffalo. Both Cody and Jacoby Jones are definitely not going to suit up because of injuries to their knees.
Probable:
WR Marlon Brown (neck)
Questionable:
LB Arthur Brown (chest)
DE Chris Canty (thigh)
RB Shaun Draughn (ankle)
LB/DE Pernell McPhee (knee)
RB Ray Rice (hip)
WR Brandon Stokley (groin)
WR Deonte Thompson (foot)
DT Brandon Williams (toe)
Out:
WR Jacoby Jones (knee)
Doubtful:
DT Terrence Cody (knee)
C Ryan Jensen (foot)
For more Ravens news and updates, visit Ravens Central.
Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.
