Bruised, battered and a perhaps little humbled, the Ravens will take to the practice field today to begin preparing for Sunday?s home-opener against the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium.
The team is still reeling from an underwhelming performance in Monday?s 27-20 loss to the Bengals, a game in which many of the team?s stars were injured. Quarterback Steve McNair (groin), linebacker Ray Lewis (triceps), offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (toe), tight end Daniel Wilcox (ankle sprain) and return specialist B.J. Sams (knee) were all sidelined at various points during a game in which the Ravens committed six turnovers.
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But the Ravens now have to put the past behind them. Baltimore has just four days to prepare for the Jets, who made the playoffs last season. However, the Jets opened the season by getting crushed, 38-14, by the visiting New England Patriots this past Sunday.
“You can?t dwell on it,” said McNair, who fumbled three times and threw an interception. “You?ve got to forget it right now. Because of you dwell on it tomorrow, you dwell on it Wednesday and lose ground on the Jets.”
Coach Brian Billick did not meet with the media, as he usually does the day after a game, on Tuesday.
On his weekly radio show on WBAL-1090, Billick said that Sams would be out for the season, saying the fourth-year return specialist injured his anterior cruciate ligament.
Asked about the team?s other injuries, Billick said that Ogden?s was “the most serious.”
“I don?t know if Jonathan will come back from this or not,” Billick said.
Said Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs: “It just goes to show that this is a rough game. This is the NFL and I hope everybody on our team is healthy next week. It?s a rough and physical game and we?ve just to do a good job getting them healthy for next week.”
The Ravens will list players who did not participate in today?s practice this afternoon.
Safety Ed Reed replaced Sams and returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown during the game, but the team is expected to start rookie Yamon Figurs in Sams? spot against the Jets.
“It?s always tough,” Billick said of the team?s injuries. “But the next guy has got to step up.” ? [email protected]