The Ravens welcomed two cornerbacks back into the fold, but Derrick Martin appears to be on a faster track to playing against the Houston Texans on Sunday than Fabian Washington.
Martin said the injured right shoulder that kept him out of the final two preseason games is "99 percent" healthy. But Washington missed practice yesterday with what he called a "neck issue."
"I'm working every day to improve the neck situation and get back on the field and help this team," said Washington, who has dealt with neck spasms and a tweaked hamstring this preseason.
Washington and Martin missed Sunday's season opener because of one-game suspensions for violating the NFL's personal-conduct and substance-abuse policies, respectively. Martin said he was looking forward to practicing.
"I want to be out there bad," he said before practice. "I was out there today in the walkthrough running around. I was just happy to be back there with the guys. Hopefully, I'll get the pads back on and get back into the swing of things and I'll be out there."
The return of Martin and Washington could bolster a secondary that includes two injured cornerbacks in Chris McAlister (swollen right knee) and Corey Ivy (sprained right ankle). McAlister participated fully in practice yesterday, but Ivy was limited.
"It solidifies us at the corner spot," coach John Harbaugh said of Washington and Martin. "We expect those guys to play, but we've got enough corners now, I think, where we'll be in good shape no matter what happens."
Monitoring hurricane
The NFL is monitoring the threat of Hurricane Ike hitting Texas' Gulf Coast this weekend and is looking into "potential alternatives" for the Ravens' game at Houston on Sunday.
"If any change needs to be made, we will make an announcement at the appropriate time," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said yesterday.
In the past, the league has changed the day and site of games affected by severe weather.
Hurricane Ike, which has had tropical-storm force winds reaching out 205 miles, is expected to come ashore along the Texas coast between Galveston and Brownsville late Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Harbaugh said the team will follow the league's instructions.
"Whatever those plans are, they'll let us know when it's time," he said. "Our job is to get ready for the Texans."
Gregg practices
Defensive tackle Kelly Gregg, who missed Sunday's season opener and the preseason after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, practiced yesterday on a limited basis. Free safety Ed Reed (nerve impingement) and wide receiver Yamon Figurs (hamstring) were also limited.
In addition to Washington, others who did not practice included linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo (leg bruise) and quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection). Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata did not appear during the portion of practice open to the media yesterday, but he was not listed on the team's injury report.
Joining McAlister for full participation were running back Willis McGahee (arthroscopic knee surgery), fullback Le'Ron McClain (ankle), tight end Todd Heap (back bruise), center Jason Brown (ankle) and offensive tackle Jared Gaither (ankle).
End zone
Harbaugh remained noncommittal about quarterback Troy Smith's availability. "We're going to know more Friday," Harbaugh said. "That's kind of the day that we talked about where he's going to have some tests and things done. But he looks better. He's getting around and he's been involved in meetings." ... The Ravens rank as the 10th most valuable franchise in the NFL, according to Forbes' annual NFL Team Valuations list. The magazine assessed the Ravens' value at $1.062 billion with revenues of $226 million. The most valuable franchise is the Jerry Jones-owned Dallas Cowboys, which F orbes valued at $1.612 billion. Last year, the Ravens ranked No. 11 with a value of $965 million.
