OWINGS MILLS – Rookie cornerback Jimmy Smith was ruled out for the Baltimore Ravens’ preseason opener Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The first-round draft pick made it through an entire practice Tuesday after tweaking his groin over a week ago.
However, the Ravens don’t want to risk aggravating the injury with another setback.
"No, I think we keep him out on Thursday," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He’s only had one practice."
After missing last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, cornerback Domonique Foxworth hasn’t practiced for the past few days.
Foxworth has complained of soreness in his surgically-repaired knee.
If he’s sidelined, the Ravens would start Chris Carr and Lardarius Webb at cornerback.
He’s among those not expected to play against Philadelphia, including tight end Ed Dickson (hamstring), defensive tackle Brandon McKinney, inside linebacker Tavares Gooden (neck), center Matt Birk (knee surgery) and long snapper Morgan Cox (knee). Offensive tackle Ramon Harewood (knees) and wide receiver David Reed (wrist surgery) remain on the physically unable to perform list.
Defensive end Cory Redding resumed practicing after sitting out Monday for undisclosed reasons.
McKinney was activated from the physically unable to perform list Tuesday after undergoing offseason knee surgery.
"[McKinney is] really important. He’s a rotation guy, he’s a very experience guy," Harbaugh said. "You can’t have enough defensive linemen. People are going to try to run the ball on us, and he helps us."
FREE AGENCY UPDATE: Veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery visited the Ravens Tuesday and took a physical, but wasn’t signed to a contract.
Cotchery has also visited the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.
After failing his physical when he was cut by the New York Jets following offseason back surgery, Cotchery isn’t regarded as completely healthy yet.
LIMITED PLAYING TIME: Harbaugh indicated that established veterans such as middle linebacker Ray Lewis, safety Ed Reed, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and linebacker Terrell Suggs will play sparingly Thursday.
"Those guys realistically won’t play much," Harbaugh said. "One series maybe, we’ll just have to see. Some of that you leave in their hands, but we’re going to be very judicious with those guys. The younger guys, the guys who need more time, I think we’ll give more time to those guys."
Quarterback Joe Flacco is expected to play most of the first quarter.
ROSTER MOVES: The Ravens signed former Buffalo Bills offensive guard-tackle Kyle Calloway, a 6-foot-7, 315-pounder from Iowa.
They cut undrafted rookie running back Walter Sanders, a Baltimore native who worked out in Eldersburg this summer.
FIGHT: The first fight of training camp unfolded Tuesday as offensive tackle Andre Ramsey and linebacker Albert McClellan exchanged punches. Peace was restored after tempers briefly flared.
QUICK HIT: The Ravens announced that Comcast SportsNet will carry the official pregame and postgame shows, preseason games and other team programming through the season.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times
