After being without seven starters for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts and having five more players suffer injuries in the overtime loss, the Ravens could finally breathe a little sigh of relief Wednesday.
Safety Marcus Williams, who has been out since suffering a pectoral injury in the season opener against the Houston Texans, returned to the practice field but was a limited participant, per the injury report. The 27-year-old veteran had contemplated surgery, which would have likely ended his season, but instead chose to continue to rehabilitate.
Other players who returned included center Tyler Linderbaum, who has been out since suffering an ankle injury against the Texans, and left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who injured his knee in the same game. Both were limited Wednesday.
“Eye-raising,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said when asked about the importance of the return of Stanley, an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2019, and Linderbaum, one of the league’s best young offensive linemen. “Our guys are back out there on the field and [I’m] looking forward to it. [Patrick] Mekari and [backup center] Sam [Mustipher] did a great job when those guys was up, but hopefully they’re back up this week and we’ll just hit the field running like we always do.”
Having Linderbaum and Stanley available for Sunday’s game against the Browns in Cleveland would be a big boost to an offensive line that struggled at times last week against the Colts, particularly against the blitz, with Jackson getting sacked four times and fumbling twice, one of which he lost.
The Browns boast perhaps the NFL’s best defense, allowing a league-low 10.7 points per game. They also have nine sacks through three games and haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown.
The Ravens also got good news on the running back front, with Gus Edwards, who left in the fourth quarter of the Colts game to be evaluated for a concussion, returning as a full participant. Meanwhile, running back Justice Hill, who missed the game against Indianapolis with turf toe, was working out on a side field, as was outside linebacker Tyus Bowser (knee), who is eligible to come off the non-football injury list next week. Neither participated in practice, however.
Newly signed outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy also hit the field for the first time Wednesday. His addition to the practice squad should help immediately with outside linebackers David Ojbao (ankle/knee) and Odafe Oweh (ankle) both not practicing Wednesday. Van Noy gives Baltimore another veteran pass rusher alongside Jadeveon Clowney.
“You go back to the Patriot-Ravens games and him being out there and playing the way he plays and that style and that manner, he’s just a ferocious player,” coach John Harbaugh said of Van Noy, who won two Super Bowls during his four seasons with the Patriots from 2016 to 2019. “Smart player, tough player. … If needed, he’ll be out there to help us.”
But even as more players returned, a handful of notable ones were absent during the week’s first practice.
Safety Kyle Hamilton (back), who played 98 snaps on defense and special teams Sunday, did not practice. Neither did wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle), who also missed last week’s game, and Rashod Bateman (hamstring), who was hurt against the Colts. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who had foot surgery in mid-August, was also a nonparticipant.
Harbaugh was mum on their availability this week against the Browns.
“We don’t have any updates on that to add, no announcements, no comments on it,” he said. “As these guys come back we’re going to be very excited for them. Some of that will happen this week, and going forward next week.”
While Cleveland’s defense has remained healthy, its offense has not been so lucky. Running back Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in a Week 2 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Wednesday, quarterback Deshaun Watson (right shoulder) and running back Jerome Ford (shoulder) were limited, while running back Kareem Hunt (ribs/groin) did not practice. Offensive tackle James Hudson (ankle) and cornerback Greg Newsome (elbow) were also limited.
Defensive ends Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith, wide receiver Amari Cooper and guard Joel Bitonio received days off.