Rice Questionable, Chance He Could Play
Starting running back Ray Rice hopes to return after sitting out last week's game against the Houston Texans because of a hip injury.
Rice was a limited participant in practice all week and is listed as questionable on the final injury report.
"Barring no setbacks, there's a chance I could be out there on Sunday," Rice said Friday. "I just obviously have to go out there and warm up and see how it feels out there. I'll let coaches make the decision from there."
Head Coach John Harbaugh said that Rice was close to playing last Sunday, and that he has made progress throughout the week.
"We're hoping he'll get there," Harbaugh said. "He has a better chance than he had last week. He has practiced, to an extent, throughout the course of the week, and we'll know on Sunday. We've got our fingers crossed."
Rice did not practice at all leading up to the Texans game and he said that getting back on the practice field this week was a positive sign.
"What I did was push myself to a limit where I would feel that was good enough," Rice said. "The biggest thing with my kind of injury is just your legs getting tired. It's not where it's at physically. It's more the fatigue-ness of it. I was able to sustain a whole level of practice. And you know the way we practice around here – we practice very hard – and so that was a good sign."
Bernard Pierce is currently the Ravens' only completely healthy running back, as No. 3 back Shaun Draughn suffered a high ankle sprain last week against Houston. Draughn was a limited participant Thursday and Friday and he is listed as questionable on the final injury report.
The Ravens typically have two running backs active on gameday, so Rice or Draughn is expected to be ready since the Ravens did not sign any back this week.
If Rice is able to play, then he expects a regular workload.
"We usually go as long as the game flow goes," Rice said. "I don't think anything would change. That's how we split our reps in practice."
Canty Also Listed As Questionable
Veteran defensive end Chris Canty is also listed as questionable after being limited in practice all week.
Like Rice, Canty missed last week's game although he was close to suiting up. The team opted to hold him out and give him another week to recover.
"Coach Harbaugh and the athletic training staff felt it was in the best interest to hold me last week and that's what it is, that decision was made, and I agree with that decision," Canty said. "Hopefully I'll have a chance to be out on the field on Sunday."
If Canty is able to play, then he should return to the starting lineup. Veteran Marcus Spears started last week when Canty was sidelined.
M. Brown Probable, Thompson Questionable
The Ravens current No. 2 receiver Marlon Brown (neck) is expected to play Sunday after missing Wednesday's practice. Brown returned to practice as a full participant Thursday and Friday, and he is listed as probable.
"I'm fine, everything is good," Brown said. "I just had a stiff neck, that's all."
Veteran receiver Jacoby Jones has been ruled out for the game as he recovers from a knee injury he suffered Week 1. This will be the third straight game Jones has missed.
Second-year receiver Deonte Thompson (foot) could also make his return to the lineup this week. Thompson has been sidelined since injuring his foot in the preseason opener, but he was a limited participant in practice all week and is officially listed as questionable.
Thompson is a speedy receiver and return man, and he expects to make an immediate impact when he's healthy.
"I think I'll fit right in," Thompson said. "I've been into it every week, keeping up, so I'll fit in and try to come back out and try to make as many plays as I can."
Veteran wide receiver Brandon Stokley (groin) also appeared on the injury report Friday for the first time this week. He was limited in practice and is questionable for Sunday.
Cody Doubtful, McPhee Questionable
Defensive tackle Terrence Cody did not practice all week and he is listed as doubtful. Harbaugh indicated early in the week that Cody's injury could take a couple of weeks to heal, possibly forcing him to miss Sunday's game.
"We're going to try, but more likely it will be after this week coming up," Harbaugh said Monday about Cody.
If Cody is unable to play, then second-year lineman DeAngelo Tyson could see increased reps.
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee is also in danger of missing Sunday's game with a knee injury. He returned to practice after missing Wednesday and Thursday, and is listed as questionable. McPhee has dealt with knee issues throughout his career.
"You've got all the guys who have been injured – some just last week and some before – who practiced will be game-time decisions," Harbaugh said about the injuries overall. "They all have a chance to get there, and we're really hopeful in each one of their cases that they can play, but something could come up."
Rookies A. Brown, Williams Both Questionable
The Ravens' second-and third-round draft picks could be back on the field this week.
Inside linebacker Arthur Brown (chest) and defensive lineman Brandon Williams (toe) were both limited participants in practice and are listed as questionable going into Sunday.
Brown injured his pectoral muscle in Week 2 against the Browns and Williams suffered his injury at the end of the preseason. Brown was used as a backup linebacker and special teamer in the first two weeks, and Williams has yet to make his regular-season debut. If Williams is able to play, then he would provide depth on the defensive line with the injury to Cody.
Rookie offensive lineman Ryan Jensen is still making his way back from a foot injury suffered early in training camp, and he is doubtful for Sunday.
Bills Banged Up, Spiller and Williams Probable
The Bills are dealing with a number of injuries on both sides of the ball, and they could be without a number of starters Sunday.
Starting cornerback Stephen Gilmore (wrist) and his backup Ron Brooks (foot) have both already been ruled out for Sunday. Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (hand) and kicker Dustin Hopkins (groin) have also been ruled out.
Starting safety Jarius Byrd (foot) and cornerback Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) are both listed as questionable after being limited in practice during the week. If they are unable to play, the Bills would be without four of their top defensive backs on Sunday.
The good news for Buffalo is that running back C.J. Spiller (quad), wide receiver Steve Johnson (hamstring) and defensive end Mario Williams (ankle) are all listed as probable.
The other probable players for Buffalo are defensive linemen Marcell Dareus (ankle) and Kyle Williams (achilles), and offensive lineman Doug Legursky (knee) and Kraig Urbik (knee).
