OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis didn’t practice Wednesday due to a right turf toe injury that has sidelined him for the past two games.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year was the lone player to not practice after being extremely limited in practice last week. He was listed as questionable on the injury report heading into the Ravens’ 16-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
The Ravens have won both of their games without Lewis, 36, in the lineup while he provides his teammates with advice. With Lewis out against the 49ers, Jameel McClain started at middle linebacker with Albert McClellan lining up at inside linebacker next to him.
"Ray is still pretty much out there," outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "He’s not playing, but we are still getting the calls. We are still getting adjustments on what he sees when we come to the sidelines. So, he’s still there. It’s still standard operating procedure."
Added defensive end Cory Redding: "Without Ray in the huddle, we still have to go about same business as scheduled. When one of your brothers goes down with an injury or a family issue or anything like that, you just have to rally around them. We are still going to go out there and do our thing. Nothing is going to change. We’re fighting for the mission at hand."
Heading into Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, coach John Harbaugh gave no update Wednesday on whether Lewis would play. On Monday, Harbaugh said that Lewis was the furthest away from returning of all of the Ravens’ injured players.
However, Browns coach Pat Shurmur expects to see No. 52 back on the field and is preparing with the Ravens’ leading tackler in mind.
"I’m thinking he’s going to play," Shurmur said during a conference call with Baltimore reporters. "There’s been 10 days since the last game where he almost played. I know he’s a competitor and he wants to get out there and help his team. So, my guess is he’ll play. When you’ve got an inside linebacker that’s a playmaker, you’ve got to find a way to get a hat on him. You can’t just let him run free."
McClain tied with strong safety Bernard Pollard for the team lead in tackles against the 49ers, also calling the defensive signals as he was designated as the Ravens’ defensive player to have a microphone in his helmet.
"I’ve always trusted Jameel," Suggs said. "I think he’s getting an opportunity to show you all exactly who he is and what he can do, but we always knew what he can do."
Praised by his teammates and Harbaugh, McClain isn’t letting it go to his head.
"Nobody can be Ray Lewis’ replacement," McClain said. "Ray Lewis is someone phenomenal."
