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Ravens In ‘Good Shape’

The Ravens are headed to Foxborough, Mass., without many injury concerns.

Head Coach John Harbaugh was in good spirits about the team’s health.

"We look good," Harbaugh said Friday. "We are very similar to what we have been the last few weeks. Don't think there will be any surprises. We should be in good shape injury-wise.”

Pierce ‘Going To Play, Regardless’

Rookie running back Bernard Pierce was limited in Friday’s practice, and again stated that he expects to play against the New England Patriots. 

Pierce was the only legitimate question mark this week with a knee injury. He said it was just a bruise that needed a chance to break up.

The knee was re-aggravated Saturday in Denver when Pierce ran just five times for 14 yards. He had rushed 13 times for 103 yards the week prior against Indianapolis.

Starting running back Ray Rice ran 30 times for 131 yards with Pierce sidelined against the Broncos.

After sitting out practice on Wednesday and Thursday, he was back out on the field Friday and moving around the locker room without any pain.

“I'm feeling good, man," Pierce told reporters. “Basically, it just took time. I wasn't really getting any rest I'm feeling pretty good this week. I'm going to give it everything I've got. I was going to play, regardless.”

Three Other Questionable, Jackson Out

The Ravens listed three other players as questionable.

Fullback Vonta Leach (knee/ankle) has been on the injury report for more than a month but has yet to miss a game. He was a limited practice participant on Thursday and Friday.

Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (ankle/back) was a full participant Wednesday and Thursday, but was limited on Friday. He has also been a frequent member of the injury report, although this is the first time he’s listed with a back ailment.

Wide receiver and special teams contributor David Reed (thigh) was limited throughout the week. If Reed can play, he would likely fill in for rookie cornerback Asa Jackson, who has been ruled out with a thigh injury. Jackson returned to play in Denver after sitting out four games due to suspension.

The Ravens listed 16 players as probable: wide receivers Anquan Boldin (shoulder) and Torrey Smith (back), linebackers Ray Lewis (triceps), Terrell Suggs (achilles/biceps) and Albert McClellan (shoulder), guard Gino Gradkowski (head), cornerbacks Jimmy Smith (abdominal) and Chykie Brown (shoulder), defensive tackles Haloti Ngata (knee), Terrence Cody (ankle) and Arthur Jones (thigh/knee), fullback Vonta Leach (ankle), defensive end Pernell McPhee (shoulder), guard Marshal  Yanda (shoulder), and safeties Ed Reed (shoulder) and Bernard Pollard (chest).

Patriots Also Healthy

The Patriots had some injury concerns heading into the week, but they don’t seem to be something that will threaten players’ status for Sunday.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski was officially ruled out and placed on injured reserve due to a re-broken forearm.

But other than that, the Patriots only listed five players on their injury report and they’re all probable.

The list includes running back Danny Woodhead (thumb), cornerback Marquice Cole (finger), offensive lineman Nick McDonald (shoulder), defensive end Trevor Scott (knee) and defensive end Chandler Jones (ankle).

Jones, the younger brother of Ravens defensive tackle Art Jones, is trying to come back from an ankle injury that limited him in practice Wednesday and Thursday. The first-round pick has six sacks and three forced fumbles this season.

“I know he got rolled up bad last week, so I was trying to figure out if he was going to play or not and get the inside scoop,” Art said on Wednesday.

“He’s not telling me anything, but I think he is going to be out there. He’s a hard-worker. I know he’s getting treatment on it hard.”