Monroe A Full Participant Again
The good news on the injury front was starting left tackle Eugene Monroe was a full participant again. Monroe has missed nearly the entire season since going doing with a concussion on the Ravens' first drive of the year in Denver.
Wednesday was his first full practice since the injury, indicating he's been cleared for full contact.
"I'm healthy now," Monroe said. "I'm looking to do my part."
The veteran left tackle has been snake-bitten with injuries lately.
He missed the final three games last season, including both playoff contests, and then spent the first quarter of this season sidelined. It's been an unfortunate trend for Monroe, who missed just three games his first five NFL seasons.
"You can't really control being injured, and I had some things happen that were just unfortunate, both last year and this year," Monroe said.
Getting Monroe back should help an offensive line that has struggled at times. The unit got into a groove with the running game last week against Pittsburgh, but the ground game had a tough time finding room to work the first three games of the year.
Monroe's replacement, James Hurst, has also struggled against pass rushers like Von Miller and James Harrison the first quarter of the year.
"I'm looking to come make an impact and be a dominant player as I work to do every week," Monroe said. "It's no different that I've been out. I'm going to come in, step in and work to dominate and execute and do all the things we need to do to win."
Gillmore, Canty Still Sidelined
Starting tight end Crockett Gillmore and defensive end Chris Canty continue to miss time with calf injuries. Canty has missed the last three games and Gillmore missed the matchup against Pittsburgh.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said Gillmore and Canty have similar calf strains and they are both "week-to-week."
"[Gillmore] has a chance this week – same thing with Chris Canty," Harbaugh said.
Another notable absence was backup running back Lorenzo Taliaferro with a foot injury. Taliaferro has dealt with injuries in the early part of the season and has 13 carries for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Pettine Won't Count On Smith's Absence
Harbaugh said during an interview over the weekend that doctors had ruled out veteran receiver Steve Smith Sr. for the matchup with Cleveland because of the microfractures in his back.
As expected, Smith wasn't on the field Wednesday.
Browns Head Coach Mike Pettine, however, isn't assuming Smith will watch Sunday's game from the sidelines.
"I probably still in my heart won't believe he's going to be out until I see the inactives on gameday," Pettine said.
The medical staff did tell Harbaugh that Smith is in the "Hall of Fame of Pain Tolerance," so maybe there's an outside shot Smith will find his way to the field.
Rookie receiver Breshad Perriman (knee) also didn't practice Wednesday after having a scope procedure performed on his knee last week. Perriman is unlikely to play against Cleveland.
