The Ravens plan to keep Matt Stover and Steve Hauschka on the 45-man game-day roster for the remainder of the season.
Coach John Harbaugh said retaining the reliable veteran in Stover and the strong-legged rookie in Hauschka gives the Ravens flexibility.
"The flexibility that a guy like Hauschka gives you as a kicker is another weapon," Harbaugh said. "We have a guy that can obviously kick the longer field goal, which was an advantage for us in the game. ... We're going to try to have them both active if we can."
By making a 54-yard field goal with 1:01 left in the second quarter of Sunday's 41-13 victory over the Houston Texans, Hauschka became the first kicker other than Stover to attempt a field goal since Aaron Elling left a 54-yard try short in 2005. Hauschka, who was signed by the Ravens after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings the final day of cuts in the preseason, became the first kicker other than Stover to convert an attempt since Wade Richey made a 56-yarder in 2003.
Stover is the third most accurate kicker in NFL history and bounced back from a 1-for-3 start to post a 12-for-16 mark through the Ravens' first nine games. But Stover is just 2-for-6 from beyond 40 yards, which includes a missed 50-yard attempt Sunday.
Harbaugh made it clear that Stover will attempt field goals within his range, determined during warm-ups before games.
"If it becomes out of Matt's range, we'll have to make the determination that you always make on a long field goal," Harbaugh said. "Is the risk worth the reward? Is the three points worth the potential field position that we're going to lose if we miss it, and really, what are the chances of making it? It may be within a kicker's range, but [with] long field goals, the chances of making it drop dramatically because the geometry changes. Plus you've got wind affecting it up top a little more. So it'll just have to be a gut decision."
Anderson loss would hurt
The potential loss of offensive tackle Willie Anderson could have ramifications beyond the starting front five.
Anderson has started the past five games at right tackle for the injured Adam Terry, but Anderson injured his left ankle midway through the third quarter of Sunday's game. Although Terry has recovered from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and could slide back into the starting role, the offense frequently used both Anderson and Terry in unbalanced sets.
