Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy remained in a Pittsburgh hospital Wednesday following a tear of his kidney in Monday?s game at Denver. The Ravens declared Ivy officially out for this Sunday?s game against Carolina.
Team spokesperson Kevin Byrne said Wednesday that Ivy could be released from Presbyterian Hospital today.
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“He?s feeling very well and … he?s very anxious to get home,” Ravens head coach Brian Billick said. “So far with every report, we?re more and more encouraged, but again, we?ll have to wait and see.”
When asked if Ivy could return to play this season, Billick said, “There?s potential either way.”
If Ivy, 29, is unable to play the rest of the season, the Ravens could turn to first-year player Evan Oglesby or rookie Ronnie Prude to fill in on defense and special teams. Billick said he does not expect the team to sign another player or approach another team for a replacement.
“Right now, we?re in a position where we don?t have to make any movement,” Billick said. “We?ll see what type of prognosis they?ll have when he gets back, but the prognosis today was encouraging, but not definitive.”
Prude, an undrafted free agent, said he talked with Ivy.
“I talked to him yesterday and he?s making a great recovery coming back,” Prude said. “Me and Evan will probably be sharing the nickel. Whoever gets it, I know they have tremendous faith in us that we can get the job done.”
Mason still talking about the offense: Two days after he railed against the team?s lack of offensive production, receiver Derrick Mason said he was still frustrated.
“Yeah, why wouldn?t I be?” he said. “For me to sit and here and say I?m OK with the direction the offense has been going the last few weeks just because two days have passed would be crazy.”
Mason?s comments brought further attention to the Ravens? scoring ineptitude. The team failed to reach the end zone in Monday?s 13-3 loss to Denver and has struggled for the majority of other games, as well.
“You all are trying to get me to point the finger at the offensive coordinator,” Mason told reporters, referencing coach Jim Fassel.
“You?re not going to get me to point the finger at the offensive coordinator. As a team, we?ve just got to get better. If it means the players playing harder, then we have to play harder ? then whatever.”
Injury report: In addition to declaring Ivy out for the Panthers game, the Ravens listed fullback Justin Green (thigh), tight end Todd Heap (ankle/leg), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (knee/chest), linebacker Mike Smith (head) and linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs (thigh) as questionable.
The Panthers ruled linebacker Dan Morgan (head) and running back DeAngelo Williams (ankle) out for the game.
Center Justin Hartwig (groin), running back Brad Hoover (thigh) and safety Shaun Williams (foot) are listed as questionable. Running back Nick Goings (thigh) and safety Kevin McCadam (knee) are probable.
