The Ravens had a starter missing on both sides of the ball as they hit the practice field to prepare for Sunday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In a season filled with injuries, it's not much of a surprise at this point to have more key plays banged up going into the final two games of the year. And just like the last two weeks, the quarterback situation is again up in the air going into the weekend.
J. Smith Misses Practice
Cornerback Jimmy Smith didn't practice because of the thigh injury that took him out of Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Smith came up gimpy on the game's opening drive trying to chase running back Charcandrick West on a 38-yard dash to the end zone and did not return.
The Ravens did express optimism that the fifth-year defender would be able to return against the Steelers.
"Jimmy has a good chance," Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday. "I think he has a good chance to play. We'll see how we go this week."
Recently-promoted cornerback Jumal Rolle replaced Smith in the lineup last week, and Shareece Wright also saw an uptick in playing time. The Ravens need their full stable of cornerbacks healthy this week, as the Steelers have one of the most explosive offensives in the NFL.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has his pick of receivers in Antontio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton, and the Ravens hope Smith is ready to play.
Wagner Sidelined With Knee Injury
Starting right tackle Rick Wagner missed practice with a knee injury.
Wagner never left Sunday's game, and having him out of the lineup would be a tough blow to an offensive line that has already lost two starters to season-ending injuries. James Hurst would likely get the start at right tackle if the injury kept Wagner sidelined.
In addition to Wagner and Smith, the other players who missed practice were wide receiver Marlon Brown (back) and linebacker Albert McClellan (ankle). Brown has missed four-straight games with the injury and the ankle issue kept McClellan sidelined last week.
Quarterback Uncertainty Again
For the third week in a row, the Ravens are preparing with uncertainty at the quarterback position.
Jimmy Clausen has started the last two games since Matt Schaub got banged up against the Dolphins. The Ravens now have Ryan Mallett in town for his second week, and he could potentially make his Ravens debut against Pittsburgh.
Harbaugh isn't going to tip his hand about the starter before Sunday's game, and the quarterbacks are all preparing like they will get the call to play.
"Everyone is getting reps," Clausen said. "Whether you're the third guy, the second guy, the first guy, everyone has to prepare like they're the starter. That's how all of us are going in – it's preparing to be the starter, and [we] leave that decision up to the coaches."
