Dumervil Doesn't Practice
The Ravens' top sack machine, outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (9.5 sacks), did not practice on Wednesday.
Dumervil injured his ankle during Thursday's game against the Steelers and missed a chunk of playing time. He was replaced by Pernell McPhee.
Dumervil did return to the game, however, and it's not considered a serious injury.
"He got through the game and he got back in and played," Head Coach John Harbaugh said on Monday. "He looks OK. We're going to have to nurse some things, just like we do with a lot of different guys."
Cassel To Start
Vikings starting quarterback Christian Ponder did not practice Wednesday after suffering a concussion in last Sunday's game.
Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier told the Minnesota media that Matt Cassel would "most likely" be the starting quarterback.
According to St. Paul Pioneer Press reporter Chris Tomasson, Cassel told him he definitely will start on Sunday and found out about that Wednesday morning.
The Ravens faced Cassel last year when he was with the Chiefs. In Arrowhead Stadium, Cassel went 9-for-15 for 92 yards and threw two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Prior to Wednesday's reports, Baltimore was in a position of having to prepare for two quarterbacks, or potentially three with Josh Freeman also having started two games, but now know who to set its targets on.
"We expect the offense to be built around [running back] Adrian Peterson, and then they've got the complements off of that with the play-action passing and the different things they do," Harbaugh said. "So, we'll prepare for the offense and then plug the quarterback in as we go."
Smith Is Concussion-Free
Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday that cornerback Jimmy Smith passed the NFL's concussion protocol.
Smith was a limited practice participant in his first action since.
Smith went to the sidelines after a big collision with Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell on the final goal-line series of the game. Smith hit Bell with his helmet and remained on the turf after the contact.
"It's important to our football team [to have him back], and I really like the way he is playing," Harbaugh said.
Stokley Back In Action
Wide receiver Brandon Stokley could still be a factor for the Ravens.
Despite leaving Thursday's game with the Steelers early due to a knee injury, Stokley was back on the field in a limited capacity on Wednesday.
After missing six games due to a thigh injury, Stokley has had a bit of a resurgence lately. He caught one pass for seven yards and a first down against the Jets, then snagged two passes for 27 yards against the Steelers.
Other Ravens Limited
Harbaugh said Monday that a number of players had bumps and bruises after their physical Thanksgiving clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Wednesday, defensive end Chris Canty (shoulder), cornerback Asa Jackson (thigh) and cornerback Lardarius Webb (abs) were limited.
Rookie safety Brynden Trawick (ankle) did not practice. He was ruled out of last week's game after suffering an injury on the opening kickoff against the Jets.
Peterson Sits Out
Peterson sat out Wednesday due to his nagging groin injury. The groin didn't stop him from running for 211 yards last week against the Bears.
Tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot), linebacker Larry Dean (knee), cornerback Josh Robinson (chest) and safety Jamarca Sanford (ankle) also didn't practice.
Leading sack artist and defensive end Jared Allen (finger) and inside linebacker Chad Greenway (wrist) were limited.
