Tight end Dennis Pitta could make a miraculous return to the field Sunday against the Jets.
Sidelined since July 27 with a dislocated and fractured hip, Pitta returned to practice for the first time this week. He's fared well, giving hope that he could make a sudden return to game action.
"There's always a chance [he plays]," Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
"I don't want to say 'no' and then he plays. I don't want to say 'yes' and then he doesn't play and then you guys think I'm misleading you. There's always a possibility of that."
Pitta was not listed on the injury report throughout the week because he technically isn't on the roster yet. Though cleared to practice, he has a three-week span before he must be moved to either the 53-man roster or injured reserve.
Reporters saw Pitta running and catching balls in the open portion of practice, and he was catching extra passes after practice ended Friday.
"I feel great. I feel really good," Pitta said afterwards. "It's amazing how quickly it can come back. I'm feeling strong, running well. Everything's been positive."
Pitta was asked whether he thinks he'll be able to play Sunday.
"We're going to see how I feel tomorrow and see how I feel the next day and go from there," he said.
"You don't want to come back too soon and put yourself at risk. But we'll be smart with it and take it day-by-day and see how it goes."
Ngata Returns To Practice Friday
Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata sat out in Chicago due to a knee injury, and his status again is uncertain heading into a key game against the Jets.
Ngata is listed as questionable to play.
Ngata practiced for the first time this week on Friday. He was limited in practice.
"We'll just have to see how he comes out of that right now," Harbaugh said. "It will be interesting to see how he fared, how he feels tomorrow. We'll just have to see how he's doing."
The Ravens could use Ngata in the middle of the defensive line. Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan likes a ground-and-pound style of football, and New York is eighth in the league in average rushing yards per game (129.5).
Webb, Smith Questionable To Play
Inside linebacker Daryl Smith and cornerback Lardarius Webb were limited in practice all week and both are listed as questionable.
Webb has an abdominal issue, but did not miss any snaps last week in Chicago. Smith (thigh) also dealt with the thigh injury two weeks ago against Cincinnati. It caused him to miss two snaps and he went the distance in Chicago.
Wide receiver Marlon Brown (knee) practiced fully all week and is probable to play after sitting out last week. Wide receiver Brandon Stokley (thigh) also was a full participant and is probable, but hasn't been active since Week 3.
Osemele Had Back Surgery
Left guard Kelechi Osemele is on injured reserve, so he won't be facing the Jets.
But he and the Ravens did get some good news in that he had successful back surgery Monday.
Osemele came into the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday with his mom and fiancée and spoke with Harbaugh and Head Certified Athletic Trainer Mark Smith.
"[The surgery] was very successful," Harbaugh said. "He was in a little bit of pain. … He's up and walking, very gingerly. But he'll start his recovery and his rehab now. They say it's a three-to-four month process."
Jets May Be Without Top Wide Receiver
New York wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (elbow) was limited in practice all week and is listed as doubtful to play Sunday.
Kerley leads the Jets in receiving yards (347) and receptions (28), but not by a large margin. New York still has Stephen Hill (23 catches, 340 yards) and veteran Santonio Holmes (12 catches, 314 yards).
Backup outside linebacker Garrett McIntyre (knee) is also doubtful.
The Jets listed nine players as probable, including tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) and wide receivers Holmes (foot/hamstring) and David Nelson (illness). They were the only other players to miss any practice this week.
