The Ravens avoided major injuries from last week's showdown with the Steelers, and they also appear close to getting tight end Dennis Pitta back on the field.
Starting cornerback Jimmy Smith left Thursday's game in the fourth quarter with an apparent concussion after a violent hit on the goal line against running back Le'Veon Bell. The collision knocked Bell's helmet off, and the running back left the game. Smith did not return after leaving the field, but he made improvement over the long weekend.
"Jimmy seems to be doing really well," Head Coach John Harbaugh said during his Monday press conference. "He was doing well right after the game. He's going through the concussion protocol now. That was what it was over the course of the game. But everything looks really, really good for Jimmy. He should be fine.
"You never know with that, but it looks like he's going to be able to practice on Wednesday, so we feel good about that."
In addition to potentially having Smith available for Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, the Ravens could also activate Pitta from Injured Reserve – Designated to Return. Pitta has practiced the last two weeks after recovering from a fractured and dislocated hip he suffered in training camp.
"If he can play, he will," Harbaugh said. "We want to get him up. That's our goal. But it's not 100 percent certain at this point."
Pitta can continue practicing throughout the week without getting added to the active roster, and the Ravens have until 4 p.m. Saturday to decide whether to place him on the 53-man squad for this week's game.
"It will probably come down to the end of the week," Harbaugh said. "I've got a pretty good idea that he's doing well. It's just a matter of how well -- is he feeling good enough that the doctors feel he's ready to play. That's really what it's going to come down to."
The Ravens also hope to have outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (ankle) and wide receiver Brandon Stokley (knee) available against Minnesota.
"Everybody came out of the game with bumps and bruises, like we've said, I expect all of those guys to be able to play on Sunday," Harbaugh said. "We'll just have to see if something flares up between now and then."
Stokley left the game in the first half with a knee sprain, and was limited to just five snaps. He did return for one play, but then determined that he was done for the day. Harbaugh said that Stokley did not suffer any structural damage.
Dumervil also left the game with a sprain, but he was able to return. He could end up missing practice time to work his way back from the injury.
"He looks OK," Harbaugh said. "We're going to have to nurse some things."
