Professor

Carroll County Times: Westminster, Maryland

OWINGS MILLS -- The Baltimore Ravens' precarious medical situation took a negative turn Friday as both starting cornerbacks could potentially be out Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens were already anticipating not having Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister in uniform because of a lingering knee injury that kept him out of practice all week. He's listed as doubtful on the official injury report.

Now, the Ravens are bracing for the possibility that former Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle could miss Monday's game because the undisclosed illness that kept him out for three games earlier this season has flared up again. Rolle is listed as questionable, meaning there's a 50 percent chance of him playing.

It's unclear if Rolle will be able to recover in time to play against the Steelers. He didn't practice Friday and was unavailable for comment.

The illness briefly hospitalized him earlier this year, and an adverse reaction to the medication used to treat the illness made him sluggish and affected his coordination. Rolle said the illness caused temporary memory loss.

If both players are out, then Corey Ivy and Derrick Martin would start and have to contend with Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward and speedster Santonio Holmes.

Ivy has started five games this season, intercepting one pass. Although Ivy has made some big plays this season, he struggled in pass coverage against wide receiver Lee Evans on deep routes in a 19-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Martin is a second-year defensive back who has intercepted one pass, appearing in relief in all seven games.

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