Dumervil, Powers And Dixon Ruled Out
The Ravens are going into the season opener without one of their top pass rushers.
Veteran outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil was officially ruled out of the matchup after a "minor setback" recovering from an offseason "foot-area" procedure. The Ravens also ruled out cornerback Jerraud Powers (ankle) and running back Kenneth Dixon (knee).
None of those three players practiced at all this week.
The absence of Dumervil is a tough blow for the defensive front, as he's led the team in sacks the last two seasons. With him sidelined, veteran linebacker Albert McClellan is expected to start in his place and young pass rushers Za'Darius Smith and Matthew Judon will likely see increased snaps in pass-rushing situations.
"I know my responsibility, and I know that when one man goes down, it's next man up," Smith said. "I'm going to take advantage of that and do the best I can."
It's unknown exactly how much time Dumervil will miss, as he declined to provide a timetable to reporters.
"I'm just doing my very best to get out there as soon as I can," he said.
With Powers out, the Ravens may turn to rookie fourth-round pick Tavon Young to get more snaps as the slot corner. Will Davis is also an option as he worked in the nickel role this preseason after Powers went down.
Four Ravens Listed As Questionable
The other Ravens on the injury report are tight ends Dennis Pitta (finger) and Maxx Williams (knee), offensive lineman John Urschel (shoulder) and cornerback Shareece Wright (foot).
They are all listed as questionable after being full participants in practice all week. They are all expected to play, but are listed as questionable because the NFL removed the "probable" distinction from injury reports this year. Now the only official distinctions are questionable, doubtful and out.
Returning to the field will be an emotional moment for Pitta, who hasn't played a game in nearly two seasons after dislocating his hip for the second time in the 2014 season.
"Obviously I'm excited," Pitta said. "There was definitely a point in all this that I had to accept the fact that I probably wouldn't run out of that tunnel again. Being able to do that this Sunday will be emotional, but very exciting for me."
On the defensive side, getting Wright healthy is significant. He was sidelined for the last week of the preseason, and Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees said he has actually been fighting through an injury for much of the summer.
"He was banged up for most of it," Pees said. "We put him in there because we needed to put him in there, and he needed to play, but there was an awful lot of time early on in preseason that he was not at full-go."
The week off helped Wright get back on track going into the regular season, and the veteran cornerback does not expect the issue to linger.
"I feel better," Wright said. "I feel healthy. I feel good, so I'm excited."
Bills Rule Out Two Players
The Bills have ruled out a pair of backups for the matchup. Safety Colt Anderson (foot) and cornerback Kevon Seymour (hamstring) both won't play.
Reserve offensive lineman Ryan Groy (ribs), quarterback Cardale Jones (shoulder) and running abck Jonathan Williams (ribs) are all questionable.
None of those injuries are too significant, but the Bills will be without a handful of other key players because of previous injuries or suspensions. That includes top draft picks in defensive end Shaq Lawson (knee) and linebacker Reggie Ragland (knee), starting defensive tackle Macell Dareus (suspension) and backup right tackle Seantrel Hendereson (suspension).
