One of the Ravens' top pass rushers, Kyle Van Noy, is doubtful to play against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday as he continues to deal with hamstring/neck injuries.
Van Noy, who is tied with Odafe Oweh for the Ravens' lead with eight sacks, didn't practice all week. Van Noy is not one to miss games, as he's been sidelined just seven times over the previous seven seasons and never with the Ravens.
"[He's] kind of working through a thing or two," Head Coach John Harbaugh said Friday. "Not major stuff, but stuff that will be touch-and-go up until Sunday, so we'll see where he's at."
If Van Noy can't play, it would likely mean more snaps for rookie Adisa Isaac and could make David Ojabo active after he's been a healthy scratch four of the past five weeks.
Roquan Smith Is Set to Return
Linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) will be back in action after missing Monday's game against the Chargers. He practiced all week, was a full participant on Friday, and carries no injury designation into the game.
That's a huge boost for a Ravens run defense taking on Saquon Barkley and the Eagles' top-ranked rushing attack.
While Malik Harrison played well last week in Smith's absence, there's no doubt a difference with Smith on the field. He has the third-most tackles (110) in the league.
Michael Pierce Could Come Off Injured Reserve ASAP
Smith's return may not be the only addition to Baltimore's run defense. Nose tackle Michael Pierce (calf) was a full participant in Friday's practice and could be activated to the 53-man roster for Sunday's game. He has missed the minimum four games.
"That's something in terms of how he's feeling," Harbaugh said. "We're going up against a big, physical offensive line, so ... he'd be a great addition, but he's got to be at his best, too."
Ravens defensive tackles Travis Jones (ankle/rest) and Broderick Washington (knee/rest) were back on the field at full capacity after being sidelined on Thanksgiving and will both play.
Eagles' Starting Cornerback Is Out; DeVonta Smith Is Questionable
The Eagles have more injury concerns than Baltimore with the six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) out and starting wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) questionable.
Slay didn't practice all week after suffering a concussion last Sunday night in Los Angeles. With him sidelined, the Eagles could slide talented rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean outside or use more of rookie cornerback Kelee Ringo or Isaiah Rodgers.
Smith returned to practice Thursday and was limited then and Friday. He leads the Eagles in receptions (41) and is second in receiving yards (516).
Asked whether he intends to play Sunday, Smith told reporters, "I don't know yet. It's still not my decision."
Even if it were up to him, Smith said he's still not sure if he will be able to play after missing one game already. He's been on the injury report with the hamstring issue since Week 10.
The Eagles added three players to Friday's injury report: linebacker Ben VanSumeren (knee/out), wide receiver Johnny Wilson (hamstring/questionable), and safety Sydney Brown (knee/questionable).
