Cornerback Lardarius Webb hasn't practiced since the second practice of training camp in late July because of a back injury, and Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh told reporters Monday that he won't play in the preseason.
"I was hoping, but he won't play in this game," Harbaugh said.
A reporter then followed up with Harbaugh to confirm that Webb's absence this week also means he'll miss the rest of the preseason.
The Ravens play the Washington Redskins Saturday and then wrap up the preseason Aug. 28 against the New Orleans Saints. Sitting out the Saints game is no surprise for Webb because the Ravens typically rest the starters in the preseason finale. His last real shot to play was against the Redskins.
The Ravens are being cautious with the veteran cornerback, who told reporters last week that he expects to return soon.
While Webb is out, the good news for the Ravens is that further tests revealed no major concerns for cornerback Jimmy Smith after he left Saturday's game with a chest injury. The injury occurred after Smith took a hard fall on his back while breaking up a pass. Smith was shown on the television broadcast coughing up blood, which was a scary moment for him and the Ravens' sideline.
Smith had an MRI after the game, which revealed chest bruising and also some bleeding from his lung, Harbaugh said.
"They said it's not a serious thing and just needs a couple days to heal up," Harbaugh said. "We do anticipate him to play against the Redskins, unless something changes."
Cornerback Asa Jackson, who missed Saturday's game with an ankle injury, could also return this week.
The other injury update Harbaugh provided Monday was on tight end Owen Daniels. The veteran sat out his third straight practice and also missed the Dallas game as the Ravens have given him time to rest. Harbaugh stressed that the 31-year-old receiver isn't injured, and that he will likely get back on the field this week.
"I don't want to get into specifics too much, but when you've got legs and hamstrings and groins and stuff like that – there's wear and tear on those things. There's no pull, no strain of any kind," Harbaugh said. "They're just a little fatigued, just like I've got a little swelling right now. You have to take some time to get the legs back.
"We really felt like he needed to get his legs back. We wanted to give him time to do that. I'm counting on him being there. That's what I've been told. There's no injury in there, there's just a fatigue factor and it needs time."
