Harbaugh’s mind on Sunday
Ravens coach doesn’t address brawl between Browns and Steelers
With the Ravens’ rematches against their AFC North rivals still more than a month away, coach John Harbaugh said Friday that he wasn’t focused on the fallout from the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers’ fight Thursday night.
The NFL suspended Browns defensive end Myles Garrett on Friday for at least the rest of the regular season and postseason, hours after he used a helmet “as a weapon” by striking Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head late in Cleveland’s 21-7 win.
Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey was suspended three games without pay and also fined for punching and kicking Garrett. Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended for one game after shoving Rudolph to the ground from behind during the incident. The Steelers and Browns were also fined $250,000 each.
The Ravens will host the Steelers (5-5) in Week 16 and travel to Cleveland (4-6) the following week. Of the suspended players, only Garrett is set to miss his team’s game against the Ravens. The suspended players have three business days to appeal their penalties.
Harbaugh said Friday that the Ravens (7-2) are focused on “our 10th game,” Sunday’s high-profile clash against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans (6-3).
“All I can say about that is, obviously, we’re worried about us,” he said. “Our concern is us and our game on Sunday, and really, that’s it. Nothing else outside of this circle is what we’re thinking about.
“I’m sure the NFL will address it in full. We trust them to do that.”
Injury report
After not practicing this week, Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
Pierce has started all nine games this season and, until hurting his ankle early in the Ravens’ win Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, had averaged nearly 38 defensive snaps per game. Harbaugh said Pierce’s availability would be a game-time decision Sunday.
If Pierce is unavailable, Harbaugh expressed confidence Friday in the readiness of newly signed defensive linemen Domata Peko and Justin Ellis. Starting defensive tackle Brandon Williams also has had a strong run of play recently for the Ravens’ improved defense.
Ravens rookie wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (ankle) and wide receiver and special teams contributor Chris Moore (thumb) were listed as questionable on the team’s injury report. Moore was limited in practice all week, while Brown returned to Friday’s workout after sitting out Thursday’s.
Texans wide receiver Will Fuller V (hamstring), safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (back/wrist), cornerback Bradley Roby (hamstring) and left tackle Laremy Tunsil (shoulder) are questionable to play. All four starters were limited in practice throughout the week.
Extra points
Harbaugh said he didn’t know whether the Ravens would send a representative to attend free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s workout Saturday in Atlanta. As of Friday afternoon, over a dozen teams had committed to attending. “I didn’t ask,” Harbaugh said. “Does anybody know? I don’t really care, to be honest with you. We’re focused on Sunday.”
The Maryland Army National Guard landed two CH-47 Chinook and one UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters on the Ravens’ practice field Friday before taking a handful of players and staff members up for a brief flight around Baltimore. “Pretty cool, huh?” Harbaugh said as the helicopters flew overhead during his post-practice news conference.