H-back Greg DeLong may not play in tonight's preseason game against the New York Jets, but his pride seems to be hurting more than his ankle.
During a walkthrough as part of the kickoff return scout team Thursday, DeLong stepped on a teammate's foot and rolled his left ankle. He did some walking off to the side yesterday and did not practice.
"If you're going to get hurt, you want it to sound kind of manly," DeLong said. "This here is not manly at all."
If DeLong is sidelined, the Ravens will likely work out of more three-wide-out formations.
DeLong, whose position equates to a blocking fullback, will have his playing time absorbed by fullbacks Obafemi Ayanbadejo and Alan Ricard as well as tight ends Ryan Collins and John Jones. In the three-wide-out sets, Ayanbadejo will be the lone back and receive a hefty amount of game action.
DeLong, however, indicated that he would play if it were a regular-season game. He also doesn't foresee missing any time next week.
"It feels pretty good," DeLong said of his ankle. "I guess it's a big question mark if I'm going to be playing [tonight]."
Falling to bigger object
Jermaine Lewis, the 5-foot-7, 180-pound receiver, collided with 6-foot-2, 270-pound defensive tackle Marques Douglas during yesterday's light workout. Guess who came away the worse for wear?
After banging knees, Lewis suffered a bruise though is still expected to start tonight. The former Maryland standout had his left knee wrapped for the afternoon walkthrough.
"It's still tight right now," Lewis said. "Hopefully, it'll loosen up by [today]."
`Can you say, rookie?'
As Jermaine Smith prepares for the second preseason game, the reserve cornerback knows it can't be any more stressful than his debut. Last Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had the ball thrown his way about eight times in the second half, including four passes on one series.
"Can you say, rookie?" said Smith, a four-year starter at Washington. "They saw a rookie out there and said: No. 28, he isn't supposed to be out there."
Smith, who is battling Clarence Love for the fifth cornerback slot, didn't fold either. Six plays after being called for a 23-yard pass interference penalty, he deflected a pass on third down to stall a fourth-quarter drive.
Will McAlister get ball?
Starting cornerback Chris McAlister is on the waiting list.
After asking for a second year to return kickoffs, McAlister probably won't get a chance to do so until he is fully recovered from a groin injury. Even then, the Ravens will probably weigh the injury risk of allowing their best cover man to run back kicks before making any guarantees.
"It's up to them. I've already made it clear that I want to do it," McAlister said. "I've done it all my life. I've always had the ball in my hands. I like to have the ball. That's the rush I get."
End zone
Middle linebacker Ray Lewis was excused from yesterday's light workout for personal reasons. ... Outside linebacker Peter Boulware (shoulder), running back Jamal Lewis (dislocated elbow), receiver Patrick Johnson (broken collarbone), right tackle Harry Swayne (high hamstring pull), fullback Chuck Evans (torn triceps), running back Jay Graham (high ankle strain), receiver Marcus Nash (chin) and Dennis Stallings (hamstring) are out for tonight's game. Fullback Sam Gash, who was signed Monday, will also not play. ... About 1,400 tickets remain for tonight's game at PSINet Stadium. ... The U.S. women's soccer team will be introduced in the first half of tonight's game.
