Right Off Russell

RAVENS:
QUESTIONABLE: S Haruki Nakamura (chest), NT Haloti Ngata (ankle), S Tom Zbikowski (illness). PROBABLE: LB Prescott Burgess (illness), TE Todd Heap (ankle), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder), C Matt Katula (elbow), RB Le’Ron McClain (shoulder), CB Frank Walker (illness).

BENGALS:
QUESTIONABLE: T Andre Smith (foot), S Roy Williams (forearm).
PROBABLE: RB Jeremi Johnson (knee), DT Tank Johnson (foot), S Tom Nelson (shoulder), RB Bernard Scott (knee).

Long-snapper Matt Katula gave everyone a scare last week as he missed some practice. The Ravens even brought in 2 guys to tryout in case Katula couldn’t go. At this point, it looks like Katula is feeling better and even practiced at the end of the week.  

Holti Ngata has yet to practice but he is feeling optimistic about playing. Having him not on the field would definitly be the Bengals advantage.

I’m slightly worried that 2 members of the Ravens secondary are listed as Questionable.

Dan Kolko on the MASN Blog is reporting that Haloti Ngata’s ankle injury does not appear to be serious.

X-rays were taken and came back negative, and the team is calling it a sprain. Trainers re-taped Ngata’s ankle twice in hopes that he could return to the game, but because the Ravens had the game in hand, it was decided that the fourth year man should stay on the bench.

“I felt a little numbness. I could have stayed in throughout the game, but I think since we were winning, we’re being more cautious with it. We’ll look at it tomorrow and see how it is.”

With another tough game next week against them Bengals, it will be crucial to have a healthy Ngata on the front line.

BRONCOS:
PROBABLE: S Brian Dawkins (hamstring), DT Ronald Fields (hamstring), LB Spencer Larsen ( shoulder).

RAVENS:
QUESTIONABLE: T Jared Gaither ( neck).
PROBABLE: QB Joe Flacco ( ankle), LB Tavares Gooden (head), K Steven Hauschka (right ankle), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder), S Ed Reed (illness), WR David Tyree (hamstring)

I think we are pretty used to seeing Gaither not in the lineup. Facing a strong Broncos pass-rush, I am wondering if the left side is better served with a 100% Michael Oher over a recovering Jared Gaither.

How’s your ankle? “My ankle’s great.”

Did you get your foot stepped on as well as the ankle rolling a little? “Yeah. It originally happened… I got my left foot stepped on in the first quarter, and it caused me to roll up my right ankle. The rest of the game, I kind of just got stepped on a couple of times. It’s no big deal. I’m walking pretty good today and running pretty good.”

That’s Joe Flacco from his press conference on Monday. Apparently, his ankle isn’t great because according to an article by Jamison Hensley in the Baltimore Sun, he hasn’t practiced all week.

It’s a bye week so it’s not a big deal at them moment. However, at what point to we start freaking out?

Someone needs to tell Jeff Pilson to stop worrying so much. It looks like Brad Bergesen is starting to come around. Roch Kubatko reported that he’ll be starting to do some treadmill work soon.

“I’ve got to believe that by mid-November, I would think that I’m running pain-free and able to do everything with no restrictions,” he said. “That’s just my own personal guess. That could all change, but that’s kind of my hope.”

“My leg has been kind of a slow progression, but it’s night and day compared to where it was at,” he said. “I’m walking on it pain-free. I’ve been able do everything but run. I’m still trying to not overdo it, even with walking, but I can go out and play a round of golf with no problem whatsoever.”

This is good news. Think about how nice it will be to go into the season with 4 of the 5 starters in place. It sure beats last season.

DOUBTFUL
T Jared Gaither (neck)

PROBABLE
WR Mark Clayton (shoulder)
LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder)
TE Edgar Jones (hamstring)
DT Haloti Ngata (back)
WR David Tyree (hamstring)

VIKINGS

DOUBTFUL
WR Darius Reynaud (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE
WR Percy Harvin (shoulder)
T Phil Loadholt (ankle)

PROBABLE
DE Ray Edwards (hamstring)
CB Cedric Griffin (hand)
G Steve Hutchinson (back)
FB Naufahu Tahi (ankle)

It looks like Jared Gaither is going to be the only Raven on the active roster that is questionable for Sunday’s Game. From what I have been reading, it would be a shock to see him play.

The remainder of the players listed are all listed as probable:
CB Chris Carr ( groin), LB Tavares Gooden ( shoulder), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder), WR Derrick Mason (neck), NT Haloti Ngata (back), S Ed Reed (knee), WR Demetrius Williams (illness)

For the Bengals, it should be no shock that LB Rashad Jeanty ( finger), T Andre Smith (foot) are listed as out.

Tank Johnson is now listed as questionable. Other players listed are S Kyries Hebert (hip), S Chinedum Ndukwe (hamstring).

These players are all listed as probable: RB Cedric Benson (hip), CB David Jones (foot), LB Rey Maualuga (knee), DT Domata Peko (chest), S Roy Williams (forearm)

I don’t see injuries playing a big factor in the game today. I think Yanda will adapt well to Right Tackle and Oher showed that he was more than capable of handling himself on the left side.

RAVENS:

QUESTIONABLE: LB Tavares Gooden (shoulder/head), WR Derrick Mason (illness), QB Troy Smith (illness).

PROBABLE: DT Justin Bannan (knee), LB Antwan Barnes (shoulder), TE Todd Heap (back), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder), LB Ray Lewis (head), DT Trevor Pryce (illness), WR Kelley Washington (groin).

PATRIOTS:

DOUBTFUL: LB Jerod Mayo (knee).

QUESTIONABLE: T Nick Kaczur (ankle), WR Wes Welker (knee), DT Vince Wilfork (ankle).

PROBABLE: CB Leigh Bodden (thigh), QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), RB Laurence Maroney (thigh), DT Mike Wright (shoulder).

I am hoping that Mason get some PT today. He is so valuable on the field. What would the Ravens do if their 4th receiver Troy Smith can’t come in (notice the sarcasm)?