Ray Rice Returns To Practice, Jimmy Smith Still Out

Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs with the ball during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Ever since Ray Rice left Saturday night’s preseason game against the Cowboys with a shoulder injury, we’ve been hearing that it wasn’t anything serious.  And now we have confirmation that it isn’t, as Rice returned to practice on Monday. Another player who suffered what was called a minor injury was cornerback Jimmy Smith, who missed practice.  Smith suffered a chest contusion early in the game and was later coughing up blood on the sidelines.

There is really nothing to gain from rushing Smith out prematurely, and a case can be made that he might be better served sitting out the remainder of the preseason so that he and Lardarius Webb can be 100% for the start of the regular season. John Harbaugh told reporters following Monday’s practice that this was the plan for Webb.

Another injured cornerback, Asa Jackson, seems pretty close to returning as Harbaugh confirmed.

In addition to Smith, it was the usual suspects list not practicing today, with the exception of new addition Brett Van Sloten.

Also not practicing was Owen Daniels, who isn’t suffering from an injury but rather “old guy fatigue.”

It’s interesting that Daniels is being rested so much, but the Ravens likely know what they have in him at this point. We fully expect that he won’t be as utilized in the offense this season to the degree the Ravens had hoped. Crockett Gillmore should be the main beneficiary, because the team is going to run its two tight end sets regardless.