Concerns about the Ravens’ offensive line against the Pittsburgh Steelers were somewhat assuaged on Wednesday, as both starting left tackle Michael Oher and right guard Chris Chester fully participated in practice.
Oher left in the third quarter of last weekend’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a sprained knee. Chester didn’t suit up with a skin infection on his leg.
While one practice is a long way from playing on Sunday, Oher was cautiously optimistic about his chances.
“I’m feeling a little bit better, but I’ve just got to keep getting rehab on it and hopefully, I’ll be able to play Sunday,” said Oher.
Now, Oher is just trying to balance the desire to play against getting healthy.
“It’s 50-50,” he said. “Both of them are important. You’ve got to be out there to get the game speed and reps in and get your plays down, but you also want to be 100 percent.”
Meanwhile, safety Tom Zbikowski should be available against the Steelers. He returned to practice last week after dealing with a foot injury, and was not listed on the Wednesday injury report.
Zbikowski hasn’t played since bruising his heel in Week 6.
“We’re confident ‘Zibby’ can go,” said Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh. “Obviously, until you see him at full speed practice, you’re not sure. But he was out there last week and did a good job. [We] didn’t feel like he was quite ready, but we’re expecting him to go.”
Zbikowski shared Harbaugh’s sentiments, and should add solid depth in the Ravens’ secondary and special teams.
“It felt good last week at practice. I just didn’t think I was ready to play yet,” Zbikowski said. “I’m definitely more comfortable now. I’m ready to go.”
Rookie tight end Ed Dickson joined Oher and Chester as full participants. Dickson has a hamstring injury that he is rehabilitating diligently.
“It’s Steelers week,” the rookie tight end. “I’ve got to come back. I’m day-to-day though. I’m doing everything the trainers want me to do. I’ll go out and give it a go.”
“Those injuries, you can’t mess around with,” Dickson continued. “They linger for a while. But I’m taking care of it and doing the necessary things I can do.”
Starting fullback Le’Ron McClain (ankle) was the only Raven held out of practice, while first-team safety Dawan Landry (head) was limited.
For the Steelers, two defensive starters – safety Troy Polamalu (ankle) and defensive end Aaron Smith (triceps) – did not participate.
Tackle Flozell Adams (back), defensive end Nick Eason (knee), cornerback Bryant McFadden (hamstring) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (foot) were all limited.
