Marlon Humphrey, James Hurst Are Ruled Out
The Ravens will be without cornerback Marlon Humphrey and right tackle James Hurst for a second-straight game Sunday in Carolina.
Humphrey (thigh) and Hurst (back) did not practice all week and were officially ruled out Friday.
The Ravens' starting cornerbacks are clear with Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr on the outside and Tavon Young inside. Smith will be looking for a bounce back game after having some troubles against the New Orleans Saints' Michael Thomas.
With Hurst out, rookie tackle Orlando Brown Jr. will presumably make his second start at right tackle. But what's less clear is what the Ravens will do at left guard.
Alex Lewis Doubtful, Bradley Bozeman Questionable
All of the Ravens' starting left guard options are banged up.
Rookie Bradley Bozeman filled in for Alex Lewis last week after Lewis missed the contest with a pinched nerve in his neck. But Bozeman's been dealing with a calf injury that sent him to the sideline a couple times last week, even though he finished the game. Bozeman didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and was limited Friday. He's listed as questionable.
Baltimore could plug Lewis back in his starting spot after he was limited in practice all week, but he's listed as doubtful.
If neither is able to play, the Ravens did pull Jermaine Elumunor up to the 53-man roster this week. Eluemunor made two starts in eight games last year. Baltimore also has Hroniss Grasu, who filled in for 12 snaps last Sunday.
Anthony Averett Could Return This Week
Rookie cornerback Anthony Averett has been out the past five weeks with a hamstring injury, but could make his return to the field this week. Averett is listed as questionable after being a full practice participant Friday.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith (groin), defensive back/linebacker Anthony Levine Sr. (hamstring) are also both questionable but practiced fully on Thursday and Friday.
Reunion With Torrey Smith Won't Happen After All
Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith has been ruled out because of a knee injury, spoiling a reunion with his former team and taking away a deep-threat weapon in Carolina's attack.
Smith didn't practice all week after making nine catches for 108 yards and touchdown in his last two games. After a slow start to the season, Smith was rounding into form.
It means rookie first-round wide receiver D.J. Moore, who played down the road at the University of Maryland, will likely get the start opposite Devin Funchess.
Backup linebacker Andre Smith (hamstring) was also ruled out. The only other Panthers player on the injury report is reserve safety Rashaan Gaulden (ankle), who is doubtful.
Cam Newton Has a Sore Throwing Shoulder, Will Still Start
While the talk around Baltimore this week has been about which dinosaur Cam Newton compares to, those in Carolina are a little concerned about the health of his throwing shoulder.
Newton was limited in practice throughout the week because of lingering soreness in his right shoulder after throwing for 201 yards and two touchdowns in Philadelphia last week, per the Charlotte Observer.
Head Coach Ron Rivera said there is "no doubt" that Newton will still start Sunday's game, and he's not even listed on the final game status of Carolina's injury report. However, the shoulder seems to be worth monitoring.
In other Panthers injury news, tight end Greg Olsen continues to make progress after he missed the first five games with a fractured foot. He was a full practice participant Friday.
