It appears the Ravens dodged a bullet with running back Bernard Pierce.
Pierce told the Ravens' head trainer that he's already feeling "a lot better" since Saturday's big hit to his head, which sent him to the sideline for the rest of the team's third preseason game.
"It was described as a mild concussion," Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday. "But I'll tell you what. Nowadays with those things, I don't take any stock in that until they tell me he's back. The concussion thing, it's hard to predict."
Pierce is slated to start the Ravens' first two regular-season games with Ray Rice out via suspension.
The Ravens also welcomed veteran tight end Owen Daniels back to the practice field following a nearly two-week absence. Daniels was sitting out due to leg soreness that caused swelling.
Daniels worked out during individual drills, but did not practice fully. Harbaugh said he expects full participation to come on Friday.
Harbaugh added that he doesn't anticipate that Daniels' injury will affect his status on the team. The 31-year-old veteran is second on the depth chart behind Dennis Pitta.
"We didn't want to bring him back too fast and throw everything at him today, but he's working his way back in," Harbaugh said.
"There's no tear, there's no pull. There's swelling in the legs. That's probably the result of stress; obviously it's not right or we would have played him. We also felt like he's had so many reps in this offense. Just take a week, a week-and-a-half and let him get fully recovered."
Safety Matt Elam suffered a muscle injury in his legs, but should be back by Friday, Harbaugh said.
The head coach also gave an update on nose tackle Terrence Cody, who has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since training camp began. Cody hasn't practiced at all this offseason after having hip surgery.
Harbaugh was asked whether he expects Cody to start on the PUP list to start the regular season.
"I don't want to say right now. We have a couple options on that," Harbaugh said. "He's progressing well; he's done a really good job. Whether he's ready to play or not, we'll have to decide or determine that. I don't want to say at this time. We really don't know."
