OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens aren’t anywhere close to 100 percent physically heading into Sunday’s kickoff against the Tennessee Titans with three starters listed as questionable.
Middle linebacker Ray Lewis (back) and safety Ed Reed (neck) didn’t practice and are listed as questionable on the Ravens’ initial injury report of the week.
“He is sore, stiff,†Ravens coach Brian Billick said regarding Lewis. “I think he will be OK, but he was sore. He and Ed are the biggest [concerns.]
Tight end Todd Heap (ankle) is listed as questionable, too, as well as cornerback Corey Ivy (kidney) with both missing a portion of team drills.
Nose guard Kelly Gregg (wrist) and linebacker Adalius Thomas (neck) are probable.
Meanwhile, the Titans ruled out defensive end Antwan Odom (knee).
Titans coach Jeff Fisher listed seven players as questionable, including: tight end Casey Cramer (concussion), wide receiver David Givens (hand), tight end Ben Hartsock (hamstring), linebacker Robert Reynolds (quadriceps), defensive end DeQuincy Scott (foot), linebacker David Thornton (shoulder) and wide receiver Bobby Wade (shoulder).
QUICK HITS: Ravens quarterback Steve McNair declined to add any fuel to the firestorm of controversy stemming from his messy divorce from the Titans this summer that was prompted by a contract dispute and the team barring him from their training facility as a precautionary measure. “That was business and I treated it as business,†McNair said. “When one door closes, another one opens. I think bygones are bygones. I’m focused. I have tunnel vision. I see the light at the end of the tunnel for this team.â€
McNair acknowledged, though, that it will be a strange experience for him to return to Nashville, Tenn, on the visitors’ sideline. “I’m sure I’ll get a little emotional,†he said. “I’m not going to say that I’m not because spending 11 years there, there will always be emotions going back to play. I think once the national anthem is over, once we kick the ball off or they kick the ball off, it’s all about football.â€â€¦ Billick made a prediction on how former Titans like McNair, wide receiver Derrick Mason and cornerback Samari Rolle will be greeted in their return to Tennessee. “They will be warmly received, right up to kickoff,†he said. “Then, it will change.†… The Ravens hosted Titans rookie quarterback Vince Young for a pre-draft visit this spring at their training complex. “He’s a fine young man,†Billick said. … The offensive line has been doing a better job of protecting McNair in recent weeks and blocking for the run. “They are playing well together,†Billick said. “It’s all about how they play together. Two very good games, and we’ve got to build on that. So far, it’s been great to see them come up the way they have the last two games.â€
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times in Westminster, Maryland
