OWINGS MILLS — Four-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Willie Anderson expects to substitute for Adam Terry on the right side against the Houston Texans on Sunday instead of becoming a starter after sitting out the season opener.
"If anything, I might be rotating in,"
Anderson
The 6-foot-5, 340-pound 13-year veteran sat out a week after being cut by the Bengals when he refused to accept a pay cut, so he’s still working on his knowledge of the playbook.
"It’s going to be a learning process,"
Anderson
"I’m definitely excited to get back into the groove. It’s been a weird past two weeks for me, coming to a new team and trying to get adjusted. Now, the basic thing I can do is go back to practice and get to work."
Terry said that he hadn’t heard about any pending lineup changes.
One option the Ravens have as they try to block ultra-talented Texans defensive end Mario Williams would be shifting Terry to left tackle in place of Jared Gaither when
Anderson
"I’m just going about my business, doing what I got to do to get ready," Terry said. "I need to take control of what I need to take control of."
INJURY REPORT: Although cornerback Fabian Washington has been activated from a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy, a nagging neck injury could keep him out Sunday.
He didn’t practice Wednesday.
"I’ve got a bad neck,"
Washington
Washington, who was punished due to a domestic-violence arrest in February, said it was difficult for him to not be a part of the first game.
"I’ve never been suspended before, so that was real tough on me,"
Washington
Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo (leg contusion) and quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection) didn’t practice.
Nose guard Kelly Gregg (left knee) returned to practice, but was limited. His knee was wrapped up.
Wide receiver Yamon Figurs (hamstring), cornerback Corey Ivy (sprained right ankle) and safety Ed Reed (nerve impingement) were limited in practice, too.
Cornerback Chris McAlister (right knee) felt well enough to participate fully in practice, as did center Jason Brown (ankle), offensive tackle Jared Gaither (ankle), tight end Todd Heap (back contusion), fullback Le’Ron McClain (ankle) and running back Willis McGahee (left knee).
Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata wasn’t present during the portion of practice open to reporters, but wasn’t listed on the injury report.
HEAP LOOKING TO REBOUND: Heap uncharacteristically dropped a potential touchdown pass in the end zone and lost a fumble against the Bengals, showing some negative effects from missing the majority of the preseason with a calf injury.
"No question, there’s no excuses for that performance out of me last week," Heap said. "At the same time, I’m looking forward to getting that rust out of there."
MARTIN RETURNS: Cornerback Derrick Martin returned from a one-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, but is still recovering from a shoulder injury.
Martin aggravated the sutures in his right shoulder stemming from an offseason surgery.
"The shoulder is doing good, it’s feeling strong," Martin said. "Hopefully, I should be ready. It was tough to watch last week.
"I couldn’t even watch, actually. I was just chilling, doing my rehab. It’s good to be back with the fellas."
QUICK HITS: Smith attended meetings and is scheduled to undergo tests Friday. "He looks better," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He’s getting around, and he’s been involved in the meetings. He was just so sick that he’s happy to be feeling better. Every time I’ve seen him, he’s been upbeat and happy to be back around the building." … Harbaugh said the team has contingency plans in case Washington and Martin are out. "We expect those guys to play, but we’ve got enough corners now that I think we’ll be in good shape no matter what happens," he said. … Texans running back Ahman Green (foot) and defensive tackle Travis Johnson (knee) didn’t practice.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
Photo by Sabina Moran.
