It sure looks like he won't play after reading these
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/ar...ts/csports.txt
Status still uncertain for LB Lewis
By Aaron Wilson, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, November 15, 2006
OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis’ status for Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons remains somewhat shrouded in mystery.
The seven-time All-Pro didn’t practice Wednesday because of a badly bruised back after missing last week’s 27-26 win over the Tennessee Titans. Listed as questionable on the injury report, Lewis wasn’t made available for comment.
The Ravens have said they are waiting for a pocket of blood to break up in the middle of Lewis’ back following his collision with Ed Reed on Nov. 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Swelling, pain and a lack of mobility are the primary medical concerns as X-rays are negative with no structural damage revealed.
“He’s a little like everybody, a little beat up, a little stiff, a little sore,” Ravens coach Brian Billick said. “Hopefully, he’ll feel a little better [today].”
Meanwhile, the Ravens have already ruled out Lewis’ backup, Mike Smith (shoulder), who’s expected to miss several weeks, and are preparing former practice squad member Dennis Haley for his first career NFL start.
Tight end Todd Heap (ankle), defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (foot), wide receiver Derrick Mason (calf) and linebacker Adalius Thomas (ankle) were limited in team drills and are listed as questionable.
PLAYOFF PLANS: The NFL has granted permission to the Ravens to sell playoff tickets, and the team will send out a detailed letter Friday to season-ticket holders. Baltimore hasn’t clinched a playoff berth, but owns a three-game lead in the AFC North.
TRANSACTIONS: The team signed offensive guard Ikechuku Ndukwe and linebacker Jimmy Cottrell to the practice squad, releasing offensive tackle Mike Kracalik and defensive tackle Nick Leaders. The Ravens also tried out linebackers Jamar Enzor (Cincinnati) and Tim Goodwell (Memphis).
Sooner or later: Cody finally to get opportunity - baltimoresun.com
Sooner or later: Cody finally to get opportunity
After long wait, LB expected to play first regular-season game Sunday
By Jamison Hensley
Sun Reporter
Originally published November 16, 2006, 8:00 PM EST
Nearly 19 months after being drafted in the second round, Dan Cody is expected to suit up for his first regular-season game Sunday.
With injuries to linebackers Ray Lewis and Mike Smith, Cody is scheduled to play special teams as well as some passing situations on defense. He was known as one of the draft's best pass rushers two years ago, when he left the University of Oklahoma with 25 sacks in 42 games.
"It's a long journey to get where I want to be," Cody said. "Whatever it takes to get there, if it's just one play in one game that springs us for something big, it would be worth it."
Cody, who was rated as a first-round pick by the Ravens, had a tough start to his career when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in his first training camp practice as a rookie.
After making a full reovery, Cody was projected to be a key backup this season. But the Ravens seemed unsure about his special teams play and made him inactive for the first nine games.
To make matters worse, he was under the impression that he would play special teams in the season opener before coaches surprisingly told him otherwise. That's why he's not trying to get too excited about the possibility of playing Sunday until he's out on the field.
"In this business, you don't ever count your chickens before they hatch," said Cody, who was added to the injury report with an ankle injury. "But I think this is a week where some guys have to step up for injured guys."
It's been an uncomfortable situation for Cody. After being sidelined all of last season with an injury, he had to wait for a couple of players to get hurt before he could play this year.
"You don't want to live your life waiting for someone to get hurt," Cody said. "But that's the nature of the business."
Gritty Raven on call - baltimoresun.com
Gritty Raven on call
Depleted at inside linebacker, team might turn to tenacious J. Johnson
By Jamison Hensley
Sun reporter
Originally published November 16, 2006
Faced with the possibility of playing without starting linebacker Ray Lewis and backup Mike Smith, the Ravens initially didn't have a clear-cut replacement.
But after the Ravens dug a little deeper in their roster, it's not surprising who they settled on: Jarret Johnson, the grittiest player on the team.
Unlike the equally versatile Adalius Thomas, Johnson is "slash without the flash," a low-key backup who can play defensive tackle, defensive end and outside linebacker.
Now, after one week of practice, Johnson could be called upon to make his first start at inside linebacker Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, the NFL's top rushing team.
"I take pride in playing a lot of positions," Johnson said. "I like it when the coaches need something and they look up and say, 'Jarret can do it.'"
While inside linebacker is new to Johnson, the situation is not.
In the 2005 preseason, the Ravens lost Thomas and Dan Cody to injuries, prompting them to move Johnson from defensive line to outside linebacker.
Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound utility player, is now prepared to start his fourth position in his four-year NFL career unless Lewis' condition changes.
Lewis missed his fourth straight practice yesterday with a bruised back and is listed as questionable on the injury report. Described by one team official as a "wait-and-see process," Lewis could be a game-time decision again.
"With Ray's situation, we've got to be ready [to play without him]," defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. "But we're ready for Ray to be in there, too."
In Sunday's 27-26 win over the Tennessee Titans, the Ravens' depth at linebacker was hit hard. Lewis was inactive, and Smith partially dislocated his shoulder on the opening series.
Because Johnson hadn't played a snap at inside linebacker, the Ravens went with former practice squad player Dennis Haley. Now, with Johnson having a full week to work at linebacker, the Ravens likely would go with him in their base defense and use Haley, whose strength is pass coverage, in more specialized packages.
In the Ravens' ever-changing 3-4 alignment, Johnson would start on the inside along with Bart Scott. Thomas and Terrell Suggs would remain the outside linebackers.
Ravens linebackers will be tested by the Falcons, who run 53 percent of the time. Atlanta leads the NFL in rushing yards per game (198.9) and per carry (5.7), as well as number of carries (312).
"It's a challenge that we welcome," Johnson said. "I'm excited to get the opportunity [to play inside linebacker]. I'm excited about doing it, especially against a team that likes to run it like they do."
The Ravens have no doubts about Johnson's ability to hold up against the run. The gravelly-voiced, scruffy-faced Johnson exudes toughness.
When he gets blocked, he turns around and makes another play. When he gets knocked down, he quickly jumps back up.
The biggest question about Johnson's move to inside linebacker was his mobility. The coaches didn't know how well he would drop back in pass coverage.
Johnson has held up well in practice.
"He's not a lineman just standing up," linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald said. "He's got my attention big-time."
Johnson, a fourth-round pick in 2003, has been able to move around so much because he's such a technician. He might not have ideal size or speed for any position, but he knows what it takes to be successful, whether it's rushing the passer as a defensive tackle or coming off a block as a defensive end to tackle a running back.
"Once he has his hand in something, he wants to know every bit about it," FitzGerald said. "I'm really high on him right now."
Johnson, though, isn't downplaying the challenge of switching to inside linebacker. Of all the positions he's had to learn, this one could be the toughest.
"It's harder because I'm off the ball and I'm reading things from a distance," Johnson said. "I'm used to focusing on one or two guys and making my reads from there. It's kind of tough, but I'm getting the hang of it."
R. Lewis has surgery for back injury - baltimoresun.com
R. Lewis has surgery for back injury
Procedure does not immediately rule LB out for Falcons game
By Jamison Hensley
Sun Reporter
Originally published November 16, 2006, 12:53 PM EST
Ray Lewis underwent surgery to have blood in his back drained Wednesday, but the procedure doesn't immediately rule him out of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Lewis, who severely bruised his back on Nov. 5, is expected to remain questionable on Thursday's report. There is still some hope that Lewis could recover over the next couple of days to play, although that's probably optimistic.
With Lewis sidelined from practice, the Ravens have been using Jarret Johnson at inside linebacker.
If Lewis can't play Sunday, the Ravens hope Wednesday's procedure will allow him to play next week.
Coach Brian Billick addressed Lewis' condition in Monday's news conference, saying, "They've got to break that pool of blood that's moving around his back ... in whatever way they can. As I understand it, once that's released, he should be fine."