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The Ravens could return to their star-studded cornerback squad for the regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cornerbacks Marcus Peters (calf) and Jimmy Smith (rib / shoulder) trained this week for the first time since falling to the Cleveland Browns on December 14, and both are listed as questionable to play at the Paul on Sunday. Brown Stadium.
The Ravens have 10 players listed as questionable in Friday’s final injury report. Bettor Sam Koch (Reserve / COVID-19 List) is not expected to play, according to head coach John Harbaugh, and will be replaced by Johnny Townsend.
Peters was limited on Wednesday and a full practice participant Thursday and Friday. Smith returned to the field as a limited participant on Thursday and was again limited on Friday.
It would be a good time to get them back on the pitch with the Bengals’ offense featuring a dangerous wide receiver trio to Tyler Boyd, who is set to return to the game after a concussion, veteran AJ Green and breakout rookie Tee Higgins. Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen threw for 371 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Houston Texans.
Also, it would be good to ask Peters and Smith to get rid of the rust before the Ravens enter the playoffs, provided they take care of the business against Cincinnati.
The Baltimore high school has held up well in their absence with Anthony Averett stepping in to play every snap over the past two weeks, but the Ravens want their defense at full strength to beat the Bengals and get into a playoff run.
Smith signed a one-year contract extension on Friday morning and head coach John Harbaugh said he was really happy to keep Smith in the fold.
“More so, I look forward to bringing him back to the field here as soon as possible for our team,” said Harbaugh, who added he was “encouraged” by Peters’ progress.
“It’s good to see him there. We’ll just see how it goes. Those things are always just how you react the next day to the workload and things like that, but having it in training is obviously important. big step, and I feel great about that. “
However, several other Ravens are still suffering from injuries from Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (thigh), wide receiver Willie Snead IV (ankle) and center Patrick Mekari (back) haven’t been training all week.
If Ngakoue can’t play, it would be a blow to the Ravens’ pass rush, which has been ramping up in recent weeks and is looking to go after Allen. If Mekari can’t dress up, Matt Skura would likely be the starting center with undrafted rookie Trystan Colon-Castillo also as an option.
Snead is third on the team in receptions (33), receiving yards (432) and receiving touchdowns (three). If he’s out it could mean more for rookie Devin Duvernay or rookie James Proche II could be active after being healthy last week.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (knee / shoulder) improved throughout the week and was a full participant on Friday. Running back Mark Ingram II, who has been in good health for the last two games, returned to training on Friday after being absent on Wednesday and Thursday due to illness.
Running back Gus Edwards (back) and tackle DJ Fluker (knee) were added to Friday’s injury report as limited.
The Bengals have ruled out top cornerback William Jackson III (concussion), linebacker Logan Wilson (ankle) and backup center BJ Finney. Wide receivers Boyd (concussion) and Higgins (hamstring) were participants in full training on Friday and were removed from the injury report.
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