Veteran outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil made his return to practice after missing the last few weeks because of a setback in recovering from an offseason foot procedure.
Dumervil was a limited participant, which isn’t necessarily a surprise considering it was his first practice in almost a month. Getting on the field is a big step for Dumervil, and an indication he could make his season debut Sunday against the Jaguars.
“It’s going to be kind of a feel thing for him,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “There’s soundness there, from what I’m told. He feels it. It’s just a matter of whether he feels the strength is there, and the explosion, and everything he needs to go out there and compete.”
His status for Sunday will likely depend on how the foot responds to the week of practice. The veteran defender did not talk with reporters after Wednesday’s practice.
The Ravens have turned to Za’Darius Smith and rookie
The bad news on the injury front was that rookie left tackle Ronnie Stanley was sidelined because of a foot issue.
It was the first time Stanley has missed practice since getting drafted with the No. 6 overall pick, but the rookie didn’t seem too concerned about the foot problem keeping him out this week.
“It’s going to take a lot for me to miss a game,” Stanley said.
Stanley had a reputation as a player who hardly missed a snap in his college career. He started every game during his final three seasons at Notre Dame, and he doesn’t want to break that trend early in his professional career.
“That’s definitely something that’s always been in the back of the mind for me – if I can help my team I’m going to do everything I can to do that,” he said.
While Stanley expressed optimism about playing against Jacksonville, he didn’t provide any specifics about the injury in talking with reporters. He deflected questions and deferred to Harbaugh when asked whether sitting out Wednesday was simply precautionary.
Rookie running back Kenneth Dixon has been sidelined since going down with a knee injury in the preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Aug. 27.
Dixon did not practice again Wednesday, making it unlikely he plays in the game this week, but Harbaugh said he’s still on track with his recovery.
“The only thing I can really say – it’s going to be too vague probably for everybody to want to hear, but he’s working hard and he’s getting closer,” Harbaugh said. “He seems to be on schedule. I’m looking forward to getting him back.”
The only other player on Baltimore’s injury report was offensive lineman
Five Jaguars Starters Miss Practice
Jacksonville’s injury report was a little more crowded to start the week.
The Jaguars had five starters miss practice: wide receiver Allen Robinson (illness), cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring), offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, safety Johnathan Cyprien (knee/tricep) and defensive end Hard Odrick (tricep).
The Jaguars did get running back Chris Ivory back on the field in a limited capacity after he was hospitalized because of a “general medical issue.” Ivory has missed the first two games.
“We’ll see where he’s at from there,” Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said. “It will be day to day as we watch him.”
