News

The Ravens have the most packed injury report of the season, and there’s a lot of bad news.

Baltimore has 11 players on their final Friday injury report before Sunday’s game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Of those players, 10 are starters (including lead returner Devin Hester):

Who’s Playing On Offensive Line?

The biggest question mark this week has been who will play on the Ravens’ banged up offensive line. The Ravens could sure use their best lineup up front to help new Offensive Coordinator Marty Morninweg’s offense get off to a good start.

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (foot) and Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda (shoulder) are both doubtful. Right tackle Rick Wagner (thigh) is questionable.

After missing seven consecutive practices and the past two games, Stanley returned to practice Thursday and Friday, and seemed to be heading in the right direction toward playing.

“I think there’s a good chance,” Stanley said this week. “Coach Harbaugh is going to have the final decision, so we’re obviously going to talk about that and see what happens.”

The rookie No. 6-overall pick never missed a game during his four-year career at Notre Dame.

“This is the longest I’ve been out since – forever,” he said. “It’s definitely not a usual feeling to just be watching your team.”

Yanda didn’t practice at all this week, though he played all of last Sunday’s game against Washington. He wasn’t ruled out, however, because he never can be.

Yanda is one of the NFL’s toughest players and has played through a multitude of injuries over his 10-year career. The five-time Pro Bowler hasn’t missed a start since 2012.

Yanda filled in for Wagner at right tackle last week after Wagner left Sunday’s game in the second half. Wagner didn’t practice Wednesday and Thursday. He has missed just one start over the past two seasons.

If Yanda is out, the Ravens could turn to Ryan Jensen, John Urschel or recent acquisition Vladimir Ducasse to start in his place.

Steve Smith Sr. Is Doubtful

Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful to play.

Smith’s ankle was rolled up last week against the Washington Redskins. He came back into the game for one more play before exiting for good.

Smith leads the team in receiving yards (310) and is second in catches (27), trailing tight end Dennis Pitta by one grab. Smith also leads the team with five catches of 20 yards or more.

If he cannot play, the Ravens will likely rely more on Kamar Aiken, who has had a decreased role this year after posting 75 catches for 944 yards last season. Aiken has 11 catches for 28 yards this year.

Elvis Dumervil Ruled Out, May Miss Extended Time

Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil has been ruled out for Sunday’s game, and could miss more time than just one week.

“It is a concern. I thought he would be back at the beginning of the season. So it is a concern in that sense,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said.

“We are hoping to get him back sooner rather than later. When that will be? I’m hoping sooner. We will see.”

Dumervil is still working to overcome his foot/ankle injury, which he had an offseason procedure on to correct. A setback when he returned in training camp forced him to sit out the first three games, and he returned in Week 4 against Oakland.

But Dumervil hasn’t had his typical burst, and hasn’t notched a single tackle or sack. According to Pro Football Focus, he has logged just one quarterback hit in his two games back.

“It is a strength issue in his foot and his ankle. It has to be right,” Harbaugh said.

“He went out there two weeks ago, and that explosiveness really wasn’t there. He wasn’t able to get into a tackle and really push like he needs to. We reexamined it and found that the strength is probably not quite where it needs to be, and we just need to get it there.”

C.J. Mosley Is Doubtful, So Who Steps In?

Inside linebacker C.J. Mosley is doubtful, bringing up the question of who will start in his place. Mosley hasn’t missed a start yet in his three-year career.

The two prime candidates would seem to be Albert McClellan and rookie second-round pick Kamalei Correa. McClellan has been a spot starter during his career while Correa is seems more headed toward a special-teams role, though Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees said he had a strong week of practice.

“His main focus right now is special teams,” Harbaugh said of Correa. “That is the thing he is really working on.”

If McClellan shifts inside, and with Dumervil out, it opens up more snaps for young pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and rookie fifth-round pick Matthew Judon. The two youngsters have yet to notch a sack this season, but have a lot of ability.

“Those guys are big guys. They are important to us,” Harbaugh said. “They are big powerful guys – young. They will get pressure, there is no question.”

Fellow inside linebacker Zachary Orr will take over headset duties and relay the defensive calls to the rest of the unit if Mosley misses the game. He’s done it previously whenever Mosley has been out of the game.

Returner Devin Hester Is Doubtful

The Ravens may have a new returner on Sunday, as veteran free-agent addition Devin Hester is doubtful with a thigh injury. He was limited in practice Wednesday, and missed the next two days of practice. The previous two weeks, he missed some practice and still came back to play.

Hester has been bothered by the injury for weeks, and has also had some shaky moments. He fumbled in back-to-back games in Weeks 3 and 4, and didn’t pick up a bouncing ball last week, leading to questions about his confidence.

“I don’t see a slump,” Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg said. “I don’t see any confidence lacking. He’s a great returner, and he’s going to go.”

If Hester can’t suit up, the Ravens could use rookie running back Kenneth Dixon, wide receiver Chris Moore or safety Lardarius Webb to field punts. Webb is a smooth-catching option, but a starting veteran the Ravens would prefer not to use.

Other Ravens Listed As Questionable

Cornerback Shareece Wright (back) is questionable after waking up last Sunday with back spasms. He practiced fully on Thursday and Friday.

If he can’t play, the Ravens would likely turn to rookie Tavon Young as the starter, or could bump veteran Jerraud Powers outside if needed.

Wide receiver Mike Wallace is also questionable after taking a big shot to the chest on the Ravens’ final offensive play last Sunday. He practiced at full capacity Thursday and Friday, and told reporters he’ll be ready to play.

McClellan (calf) and safety Kendrick Lewis (thigh) are also both questionable. McClellan was added to the injury report as a limited participant on Friday. Lewis improved from not practicing to limited.

Giants Have Some Injury Problems Too

While it's not nearly to the Ravens' level, the Giants have some injury problems too.

The Giants have ruled out starting right tackle Marshall Newhouse and starting free safety Darian Thompson.

Their secondary is banged up, as cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Eli Apple are both questionable. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is questionable, as is starting running back Rashad Jennings.