Ravens coach John Harbaugh said the status of receiver Demetrius Williams (lower leg) and return specialist Yamon Figurs (left knee bruise) for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins is uncertain after both were injured in the loss to the Colts.
Figurs has averaged 20.7 yards a kickoff return and 7.1 yards a punt return this season. If he can’t play, safety Jim Leonhard likely will take his place.
Williams, the team’s third receiver, is tied with Mark Clayton for second on the team with 12 catches to go along with 110 yards. Figurs and Williams both had magnetic resonance images taken on Monday.
“They’ll be day-to-day,” Harbaugh said. “There’s a chance both will play in this game, there’s a chance one of them could play, there’s a chance neither could play.”
The Ravens also placed rookie linebacker Tavares Gooden (hip) on injured reserve and signed tight end Edgar Jones and wide receiver Ernie Wheelwright off the practice squad. The team signed defensive back Derrick Roberson and guard Brian Johnson, both rookies, to the practice squad.
ORDINARY SPECIAL TEAMS: A big factor in the Ravens’ 31-3 loss to the Colts was their inability to win the battle of field position, which can be attributed to special teams.
In the first half, Figurs tried to return two kickoffs from deep in the end zone, but failed to make it past the 16- yard line.
“We’ve got to get our return game going,” Harbaugh said. “That’s been true all year. [If] we get our return game going and we give our offense a chance to punch out some field position there, we’ll be in good shape.”
EXPECT MORE HEAP: Tight end Todd Heap’s slow start continued against the Colts as the former Pro Bowler had just one catch for 13 yards. Harbaugh said he has been pleased with how Heap has assisted in protection schemes and believes he will become a more integral part of the offense as the season progresses. Heap has eight catches for 91 yards this season.
“I think Todd is a very good tight end, and that’s going to be a huge help to [quarterback] Joe [Flacco] as we go forward, no question,” Harbaugh said. “The thing I see in Todd, is I see a guy who has been just killing himself to get back to where he’s been in the past, to where he thinks he should be.”
ROLLE UPDATE: Cornerback Samari Rolle said he is progressing well following neck surgery. He has missed the last three games and has not set a timetable for his return.
“I don’t know when I’ll be back,” he said. “I feel like I can run now. I just have to be cleared medically. I don’t know when I’ll be cleared. That’s up to the doctors.”
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