In what is considered the starters' main dress rehearsal before the regular season, two of the Ravens' top players will get game action for the first time this year.
Cornerback Lardarius Webb and right guard Marshal Yanda are scheduled to make their preseason debuts this week.
Webb has practiced throughout training camp, but the Ravens have eased him back into action after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against the Dallas Cowboys last season. He has mostly been working in individual drills, and this week he started participating in full-contact drills.
Yanda sat out the first three weeks of training camp as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery, and returned to the practice field last week. He started participating in full-contact drills Saturday and did not have any setbacks during the week.
The main goal for the two veterans is to knock some rust off before heading to Denver for the season opener, while not suffering any setbacks.
Meanwhile, tight end Ed Dickson will not suit up for the Ravens after going through warmups. He was running routes and sprinting on the field before the game without any visible hesitation, but the Ravens want to play it safe.Â
The fourth-year tight end has yet to play this preseason because of a slight hamstring tear, and the Ravens are hoping for a Week 1 return.
As expected, second-year receiver Deonte Thompson will miss his second straight game after suffering a sprained foot in the preseason opener against Tampa* *Bay. He did not practice this week, and the Ravens will further evaluate his foot after Thursday night's game.
After being scratched from the Atlanta Falcons matchup, tight end Dallas Clark will make his debut in a Ravens uniform. Clark went through warmups last week, but didn't practice enough during the week to be prepared for game action. He and recently-signed receiver Brandon Stokley are expected to see snaps with the starting unit.
Veteran defensive lineman Marcus Spears (hamstring) will return to action. He missed last week's game, and returned practice on Monday. Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil is also set to play after missing practice time this week.
The Ravens' other scratches include tight end Dennis Pitta (hip), linebacker Jameel McClain (back), defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore (knee), center Ryan Jensen (undisclosed), outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (undisclosed) and running back Delone Carter (traded to Ravens Wednesday).
