Ravens first-round pick Haloti Ngata has been held out of action this week after suffering a knee sprain in last weekend?s scrimmage against the Washington Redskins.
Ravens head coach Brian Billick said Wednesday that it is unlikely the defensive tackle will see the field when the team takes on the Giants in the preseason opener Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium.
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“We are not sure yet,” Billick said after a training camp practice at McDaniel College.
“I would say that he?s doubtful. He didn?t do anything this morning. He?s still dealing with the soreness sometimes that just has to work itself out. I would say it?s unlikely.”
Team keeping mum on Rimpf?s injury: Offensive guard Brian Rimpf suffered a serious hamstring injury on Tuesday, and the team is not saying how long the third-year veteran could be out. Observers have speculated it might be for the entire season.
“It is what it is and what it was,” Billick said. “I?m not allowed to give you anymore than that. I wouldn?t want to venture into it. [The team?s medical staff] are dealing with it. It?s a severe hamstring. Whether it?s torn or not, they?re still looking atit.”
The team, with the absence of Jonathan Ogden due to his father?s death, as well as Rimpf?s injury, is facing some holes on the offensive line.
“Yeah, but that just means an opportunity for somebody to step in and get some reps,” Billick said. “Do you know who Wally Pipp is? Enough said.”
For those who don?t know, Pipp was the player replaced by baseball?s original Iron Man, Lou Gehrig.
Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games before having his record broken by Oriole great Cal Ripken Jr.
Star of the day: Locked in a battle for the starting safety position, recently acquired Gerome Sapp provided the biggest hit of camp so far.
Rookie tight end Quinn Sypniewski was attempting to catch a ball across the middle when the 6-foot-1 Sapp crunched Sypniewski, who is listed at five inches taller and about 55 pounds heavier.
