Joe Flacco Questionable With Knee Problem
The Ravens avoided a real scare with Joe Flacco's injured left knee, and the franchise quarterback appears ready to play Sunday against the New England Patriots.
He is officially listed as questionable on the injury report, but the Ravens indicated throughout the week Flacco is likely to play.
"He looked good," Head Coach John Harbaugh said Friday. "I don't know if there was a progression; it was just the same all week. He got through all the practices, took his reps, and did well."
Flacco was a limited participant in practice during the week, and he wore a knee brace to provide additional protection. He told reporters that he plans to wear the brace in the game Sunday.
"I don't know if it will be a necessity or not, but I'm going to wear it," he said. "There is no reason not to."
The hit to Flacco's knee by linebacker DeAndre Levy came in the fourth quarter of Monday's game against the Detroit Lions. At first he thought that the injury could be serious, but he quickly realized he was OK and stayed in the game.
"My mind was at ease as soon as I got up, so that wasn't that big of an issue," Flacco said.
He has never suffered a serious injury, and he has started every game (94) in his six-year career, third most among active quarterbacks in the NFL.
"I'm definitely very proud of that," Flacco said. "At some point, it may happen that I can't go out there and start a football game, but we're going to try to hold that off for a while."
Rice Also Listed As Questionable
Flacco isn't the only offensive star on the injury report this week, as running back Ray Rice is listed as questionable with a thigh injury.
Rice sat out practice on Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday. Rice dealt with a hip injury that forced him to miss time earlier this year, and it's unknown if the thigh injury is related to that issue.
"I'm not going to get into all of that," Harbaugh said. "He's on the injury report – that's what it is. What the injury report says it is, it is."
Having Rice healthy is important for the Ravens, as the ground game has made strides in recent weeks. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry Monday against the Lions, and he could be in store for a strong game against a Patriots defense that allows an average of 132.5 yards per game.
Dumervil Added To Injury Report
Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil returned to the lineup Monday night after missing the Week 14 game against the Vikings with an ankle injury. He was not on the injury report earlier this week, but was added Friday as a limited participant in practice.
He is also listed as questionable to play.
The other injuries for the Ravens are cornerback Asa Jackson (thigh) and linebacker Albert McClellan (neck), who both missed the entire week of practice. Jackson is listed as doubtful and McClellan is questionable.
Tight end Dallas Clark (illness) and safety Brynden Trawick (ankle) are both probable.
Patriots List 15 Players On Injury Report
Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has long been known for his lengthy injury reports, and that is certainly the case again this week.
The Patriots have 15 players listed, and seven are considered probable. The only player who has been ruled out is reserve wide receiver Josh Boyce (ankle).
A big question for the Patriots coming into the week was the status of left tackle Nate Solder, who suffered concussions in back-to-back games. He was limited in practice Thursday and Friday and is questionable for Sunday.
The other players listed as questionable are cornerbacks Kyle Arrington (groin) and Alfonzo Dennard (knee/shoulder), wide receivers Aaron Dobson (foot) and Kenbrell Thompkins (hip), and linebackers Dane Fletcher (groin) and Brandon Spikes (knee).
The list of probable players includes quarterback Tom Brady (shoulder) wide receiver Danny Amendola (groin), cornerback Aqid Talib (hip), offensive linemen Marcus Cannon (ankle) and Will Svitek (ankle), safety Steve Gregory (finger) and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (knee).
