Smith Sr. won’t play vs. Lions
Perriman, Suggs, Dumervil, Z. Smith also appear likely to miss Saturday’s action
Ravens coach John Harbaugh ruled out wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. for the team’s third preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday night, and the outlook for wide receiver Breshad Perriman and outside linebackers Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and Za’Darius Smith does not appear promising.
Steve Smith, who tore his Achilles tendon in November, was activated from the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list Aug. 18. But while commenting on the importance of Saturday’s game at 7 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium, Harbaugh said Smith will not be available.
“He’s not playing in this game — at least that I know of,” Harbaugh said after Thursday’s practice, eliciting a few laughs. “We’ll see. Maybe he’ll be on the side.”
Although offensive coordinator Marc Trestman said Wednesday that Perriman has demonstrated his speed at times, quarterback Joe Flacco said he has thrown few passes to Perriman. Harbaugh was noncommittal about Perriman, who was activated from the PUP list Monday.
“We’ll see,” Harbaugh said. “It’s up to the doctors. They’ll let me know. We’ll meet up this afternoon, docs and trainers, and see where he’s at. He hasn’t gone full speed in practice, as you know, but today’s not a full-speed practice for anybody.”
Harbaugh revealed that Za’Darius Smith, who is in a walking boot, did not practice Thursday because of an ankle injury, but characterized it as minor. Still, it will likely hold him out of Saturday night’s game.
Harbaugh said Suggs “is fine.” But with Suggs less than a year removed from suffering a torn Achilles in the 2015 season opener at the Denver Broncos and Dumervil coming off the PUP list Monday, the team will likely rely on Albert McClellan, Matthew Judon and Kamalei Correa at outside linebacker.
The coaching staff was already eager to match up Judon against an opposing team’s starting unit after the rookie from Grand Valley State sacked backup quarterbacks in each of his first two preseason games. Plenty of former Ravens visiting: The Ravens will meet a Lions squad filled with familiar faces.
The Lions’ head coach is former Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell. For- Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. was activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list Aug. 18, but coach John Harbaugh said Thursday that he would not play in Saturday night’s game. mer Ravens defensive backs coach Teryl Austin is the Lions’ defensive coordinator. Harbaugh said it’s easy to see Caldwell’s and Austin’s Ravens influences on their units.
“The defense is a basic structure, but Teryl has obviously put his own version out there,” Harbaugh said. “Coach Caldwell, he’s got Coach [ Jim Bob] Cooter as the offensive coordinator, but you can see Jim’s personality all over that side of the field.”
Former Ravens on the Detroit roster include wide receiver Anquan Boldin, linebacker Josh Bynes and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. The 6-foot-4, 345pound Ngata, a first-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft who went to five Pro Bowls with the Ravens, made just 24 tackles and 21⁄ sacks in his first season with the Lions, but is still a formidable presence.
Last week the Ravens faced an Indianapolis Colts team that also had former Ravens on the coaching staff (head coach Chuck Pagano and defensive coordinator Ted Monachino). Who cares about the preseason finale? The third game of the preseason in the NFL is universally billed as a dress rehearsal for the regular season, with many teams, including the Ravens, expected to play their starters during the first half.
Fans are generally less excited about the preseason finale because many projected starters won’t get onto the field and the game will be filled with players seeking to cement reserve roles.
But Harbaugh said the final two games are significant for players and coaches.
“It’s definitely important for everybody,” he said Thursday.
“Next week will be important for the guys who play next week. There will still be decisions to be made right until the end. It’s critically important for everybody. This is what guys have been working for their whole life. Whether you’re a starter who’s capping your career ... or you’re a rookie trying to make the squad, everything’s important.”
After Saturday’s home game, the Ravens will play Thursday at New Orleans. The team must pare its roster to 53 players by Sept. 3. End zone: The secondary welcomed back cornerback Maurice Canady (hamstring), but the unit is still expected to play Saturday night without three members. Cornerbacks Kyle Arrington (concussion) and Jerraud Powers (unspecified) and free safety Kendrick Lewis (undisclosed) did not practice Thursday. Strong safety Matt Elam, who suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s 19-18 win at the Colts, will not play against the Lions. … Other players absent from Thursday’s practice included defensive tackle Brandon Williams (unspecified), tight ends Dennis Pitta (finger) and Maxx Williams (undisclosed), running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot), left guard John Urschel (bruise) and defensive end Bronson Kaufusi (ankle). … Tight end Darren Waller ( jaw) returned to practice.