The Baltimore Ravens are facing a must-win situation this Sunday, as Baltimore will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 5-8 Buccaneers have one of the better offenses in the National Football League but have been unable to convert the success on offense into wins. Despite Tampa Bay’s struggles, the Ravens need to be prepared to face off against a dark horse team in an obvious trap game. The Ravens will need to play at full strength on Sunday in order to secure a victory. It looks like the Ravens will be healthy this week, but two key defenders may be absent from the field.
Both safety Tony Jefferson and cornerback Marlon Humphrey are listed as questionable to play on Sunday. Jefferson suffered an ankle injury three weeks ago while playing against the Raiders. He left the field in week 11 and only returned to practice on Thursday as a limited participant. Humphrey suffered a groin injury last week against the Chiefs. He returned to practice on Friday as a limited participant. Both key players have a chance to play on Sunday, but their status is up in the air.
Quarterback Joe Flacco, defensive back Anthony Levine Sr, linebacker Tim Williams, and cornerback Tavon Young are all listed as questionable as well. Flacco is expected to be active after sitting out last week’s matchup in Kansas City. He was a full participant in practice for all of this week. Anthony Levine is dealing with an ankle injury, but he was a full participant on Friday. Tim Williams, who has missed five games now, was a full participant all week in practice. He is dealing with an ankle injury. Tavon Young, dealing with a groin injury, was a full participant in practice on Friday. All of these players have a good chance to play on Sunday, but one cannot mark any of them as definite activations.
The Ravens also listed guard Alex Lewis, who has been oft-injured this year, as doubtful. Lewis started the week as a limited participant in practice but was held off the field by Thursday with a shoulder injury. The Ravens will likely keep James Hurst as his replacement at left guard, and continue to play Orlando Brown Jr. at right tackle. On the opposite side of the field, the Buccaneers ruled out WR DeSean Jackson and safety Justin Evans with a thumb and toe injury respectively. Defensive tackle Beau Allen, cornerback Carlton Davis, tackle Demar Dotson, safety Isiah Johnson, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, and linebacker Adarius Taylor are all listed as questionable to play on Sunday.
