The Ravens may have their star-filled cornerbacks back in the group for the end of the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cornerbacks Marcus Peters (calf) and Jimmy Smith (ribs / shoulder) trained this week for the first time since their defeat against the Cleveland Browns on December 14, and both are listed as questionable to play on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Ravens have 10 players listed as questionable in Friday’s final injury report. Punter Sam Koch (Reserva / COVID-19 list) should not play, according to coach John Harbaugh, and will be replaced by Johnny Townsend.
Peters was limited on Wednesday and a full participant on Thursday and Friday. Smith returned to the field as a limited participant on Thursday and was limited again on Friday.
It would be a great time to bring them back to the field with the Bengals attack featuring a dangerous trio of wide receivers on Tyler Boyd, who is set to return to the action after a concussion, veteran AJ Green and rookie Tee Higgins . Backup Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen shot for 371 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Houston Texans.
In addition, it would be nice to get Peters and Smith some game representatives to get rid of any rust before the Ravens enter the playoffs, as long as they take care of business against Cincinnati.
The Baltimore high school has held up well in his absence, with Anthony Averett preparing to play all the snaps in the past two weeks, but the Ravens want to have their defense in full force to beat the Bengals and go on to a postseason race.
Smith signed a one-year extension on Friday morning and head coach John Harbaugh said he was very happy to keep Smith in the fold.
“Even more than that, I’m looking forward to getting him back on the field here as soon as possible for our team now,” said Harbaugh, who added that he is “encouraged” by Peters’ progress.
“It’s good to see you out there. Let’s see how it goes. These things are always how you react the day after the workload and things like that, but having him in training is obviously important. It’s a big step, and I feel really good about it. “
Several other Ravens are still dealing with injuries from Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (thigh), wide receiver Willie Snead IV (ankle) and pivot Patrick Mekari (back) did not train all week.
If Ngakoue is unable to play, it will be a blow to the Ravens’ rush pass, which has increased in recent weeks and is looking for Allen. If Mekari can’t fit in, Matt Skura will likely be the starting point with newcomer Trystan Colon-Castillo as an option.
Snead is the team’s third in receptions (33), receiving yards (432) and receiving touchdowns (three). If he gets eliminated, that could mean more for newcomer Devin Duvernay or newcomer James Proche II could be active after suffering a lot last week.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (knee / shoulder) improved over the week and participated fully on Friday. Running back Mark Ingram II, who has had a healthy scratch in the last two games, returned to training on Friday after being absent on Wednesday and Thursday because of an illness.
Running back colleague Gus Edwards (back) and DJ Fluker (knee) were added to Friday’s injury report as limited.
The Bengals ruled out cornerback William Jackson III (concussion), reserve linebacker Logan Wilson (ankle) and central reserve BJ Finney. Wide receivers Boyd (concussion) and Higgins (hamstrings) were full participants in the practice on Friday and removed from the injury report.