Pitta Is Closer
Head Coach John Harbaugh didn't give much of an indication about whether tight end Dennis Pitta will be activated to play Thursday night.
"He's closer, yes he is," Harbaugh said. "Dennis Pitta is closer."
Pitta has practiced for more than a week, although he still isn't listed on the team's injury report so it's impossible to say whether he was a full or partial participant.
The Ravens have until 4 p.m. on Thursday to activate Pitta to the active 53-man roster if he is going to play against the Steelers.
Canty Probable To Play
The Ravens' top injury concern coming out of Sunday's game against the New York Jets was defensive end Chris Canty.
Canty suffered a shoulder injury during last week's game but returned to finish. He was limited in practice throughout the week and is listed as questionable to play.
The nine-year veteran has missed just one game this season and is a key part of the Ravens' defensive line. He had a third-down pass deflection against the Jets and four tackles the week before in Chicago.
Steelers' Woodley Is Doubtful
The Steelers may be without their top pass rusher.
Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who leads the Steelers with five sacks, is doubtful to play due to a calf injury that made him limited in practice Tuesday and sit out on Wednesday.
Woodley has missed the past two games due to the injury. The Steelers have done just fine without him, however.
They have used Jason Worilds in Woodley's place and he logged eight tackles and one sack in his first game substituting, then five tackles in his next. Rookie first-round pass rusher Jarvis Jones moved into the starting rotation on the right side.
Pittsburgh has ruled out starting nose tackle Steve McLendon (ankle). They listed six players as probable to play, including defensive end Brett Keisel (foot), who missed the past two games.
Ngata's Knee Improving
The Ravens should have a healthy Haloti Ngata in the middle of their defensive line.
The Pro Bowl defensive tackle sat out the Week 11 game in Chicago, but felt improvement in his knee throughout last week's game against the Jets. Ngata played a season-low 27 snaps, leaving him fresher for Thanksgiving.
"It felt great," Ngata said of his knee. "It actually stayed loose throughout the game, and it loosened up more, so it felt good. It was great to get back on the field, and our schedule is great this week for this game Thursday – a lot of mental [preparation] and just trying to get ready for the Pittsburgh game."
Ngata had one of his best games of the season against the Jets and was a disruptive force in the middle against their run game. He'll be key against the Steelers, who ran for 141 yards mostly up the gut in the teams' Week 7 meeting.
Omar's Chance To Play?
Ravens safety Brynden Trawick has been ruled out due to an ankle injury suffered on the opening kickoff of last Sunday's game.
Trawick had been active the past three weeks after being promoted to the active roster on Oct. 30. He played well on special teams, recording four tackles in three games.
Trawick may be replaced by fellow reserve safety and special teams player Omar Brown, who was active for one game this season in Cleveland in Week 9. He did not record a tackle.
