Ravens DT Michael Pierce considering surgery on torn biceps; LT Ronnie Stanley practices fully for first time | NOTES
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that veteran defensive tackle Michael Pierce has a torn biceps and that Pierce will decide whether to undergo season-ending surgery or play through the injury.
“It’s going to be his decision,” Harbaugh said. “I haven’t heard the final word on that yet.”
Pierce, who signed a three-year deal with the Ravens in the offseason, appeared to suffer the injury while trying to tackle running back Rhamondre Stevenson during the second quarter of Sunday’s 37-26 win over the New England Patriots. Pierce walked to the sideline under his own power while grabbing his left arm and was eventually carted into the locker room.
Pierce, left tackle Patrick Mekari (ankle) and outside linebacker Justin Houston (groin) were among six players who did not practice Wednesday. Mekari and Houston also left Sunday’s win over the Patriots and did not return, but Harbaugh said they are dealing with minor injuries.
Also missing Wednesday were cornerbacks Marcus Peters (rest/knee) and Jalyn-Armour Davis (personal) and defensive lineman Calais Campbell (rest), who typically gets a day off to start the week of practice.
Running back J.K. Dobbins, who played in his first game Sunday since suffering a torn ACL in last year’s preseason finale, was limited due to a chest injury.
For the Buffalo Bills, outside linebacker Von Miller (rest), cornerback Christian Benford (hand), offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (illness), receiver Jake Kumerow (ankle), offensive lineman Ryan Bates (concussion), defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (hamstring) and guard Rodger Saffold (rest) did not practice.
Safety Jordan Poyer (foot), receiver Gabe Davis (ankle), cornerbacks Dane Jackson (neck) and Cam Lewis (forearm/knee), tight end Dawson Knox (back/hip), defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle), offensive lineman Justin Murray (foot) and center Mitch Morse (elbow) were limited.
Stanley practices fully
All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley and receiver James Proche II (groin) were full participants in practice.
It’s a major step forward for Stanley, who has played in just one game since suffering an ankle injury Nov. 1, 2020, just days after signing a five-year extension. Wednesday also marked the first time Stanley practiced fully since last September.
Even though the Ravens are thin at left tackle, having used three players at that spot through three games, Harbaugh said the team doesn’t want to put Stanley on the field if he doesn’t feel ready to go.
“It’s a priority to go out there and be at his best when he comes back,” Harbaugh said. “At the same time, he’s going to have to jump in at some point, so it could be this week. We’ll have to see.”
Pierre-Paul makes practice debut
Newly signed outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul made his practice debut Wednesday, while cornerback Daryl Worley, who was released from the 53-man roster Tuesday, was back on the field as a practice squad member.
Harbaugh said Pierre-Paul, a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took a good number of reps as they try to get the two-time Super Bowl champion on the field as quickly as possible.
Harbaugh said the team aims to play Pierre-Paul on Sunday against the Bills, but added, “if we can’t do it, then it will be next week or whenever we can do it.”
Peters said he’s happy to have Pierre-Paul on the team because of the pass rusher’s “veteran leadership.”
“He knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl,” Peters said. “Just watching when the [Buccaneers] beat the Chiefs [in Super Bowl LV], he was a key part in creating that [pass] rush plan and how they could attack certain quarterbacks that are mobile. It’s going to be very big to add him to our group.”
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