November 15, 2002|By Jamison Hensley | Jamison Hensley,SUN STAFF
After his first contact practice since injuring his left shoulder, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis sounded skeptical that he would play in Sunday's game at Miami.
"If I had to go today, probably not," Lewis said. "Sunday might be something else."
Lewis partially dislocated his left shoulder on Oct. 6, and the Ravens (4-5) have lost three times in his five-game absence. The five-time Pro Bowl performer was again listed as doubtful on the injury report, which means he has a 25 percent chance of playing.
Despite taking some light hitting, Lewis cautioned anyone about jumping to conclusions.
"Just because I was in pads, it was nothing different," Lewis said. "It's still a game-time decision. If I knew something, I would tell you."
In the locker room, Lewis needed help removing his shoulder pads. As receiver Travis Taylor pulled them over Lewis' head, the linebacker cringed.
When asked how his shoulder held up from the workout, Lewis said, "It didn't feel that great. The pain was still there. But it wasn't as sharp. I dealt with it."
The only change in the Ravens' injury report yesterday was that defensive end Michael McCrary (knee) was downgraded to out.
McCrary will miss his fourth straight game and could be inching closer to being placed on injured reserve, which would end his season.
"Mike is at the point where he very much wants to play and he's working as best he can," Billick said. "At some point, in a little bit, we'll have to make a decision as to whether that's realistic or not."
Of the four Ravens who are questionable, tight end Todd Heap (knee) and cornerback James Trapp (shoulder) practiced. Cornerback Chris McAlister (ankle) and tight end John Jones (knee) did not work out with the team.
NOTE: The Ravens signed undrafted rookie receiver Randy Hymes from their practice squad. Hymes takes the roster spot of kickoff specialist J.R. Jenkins, who was added to the practice squad.
