Defensive end-linebacker Terrell Suggs said he is playing Thursday, which will mark his first game action of the preseason.
Suggs, who injured his heel Aug. 2, returned to practice Monday.
"I'm going to go a little bit," Suggs said Tuesday about the preseason finale, "and see how the heel is actually holding up."
Limited action in the preseason is becoming a tradition for Suggs. Last year, he didn't report to training camp because he was the team's franchise player but returned to play in the last two preseason games.
Suggs said he doesn't know whether he'll go one series or one quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in this year's preseason finale. "That's something we're all going to decide with me and the coaches," said Suggs, who signed a six-year, $63 million contract in July. "The overall picture is definitely get out of the game healthy and with no setbacks."
Before Suggs spoke to reporters, coach John Harbaugh said the Pro Bowl player was "sort of a maybe for Thursday." Harbaugh seemed pleased by Suggs' first practice back. "It looks like it responded well," Harbaugh said. "He's in good cardiovascular shape, and he's really strong."
The Ravens replaced Suggs in the starting lineup with rookie Paul Kruger, who has received the nickname "Goldilocks" from Suggs for his long blond hair.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Mark Clayton said he wouldn't play in the preseason finale. Clayton, who is nursing an injured hamstring, has practiced the past two weeks and reiterated he will be ready for the Sept. 13 season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"They want to be sure that everything is as good as we can get it," Clayton said. "We want to get an extra day of work to strengthen it and get the endurance up as opposed to taking chances."
Kelley Washington has filled in for Clayton in the past two preseason games.
McKinney still battling
Brandon McKinney was a surprise starter in Saturday's preseason game, filling in for the injured Kelly Gregg (shoulder) at nose tackle.
The Ravens replaced Gregg with Justin Bannan last season, but they wanted to see how McKinney held up with the first-team defense.
Asked whether McKinney could eventually develop into a starter, defensive line coach Clarence Brooks said: "He's battling right now to make the team. That's where his battle is. We'll see where he fits in after the decisions are made."
Surprise day off
Wide receiver-returner Yamon Figurs suited up for Saturday's preseason game, but the 2007 third-round pick didn't play.
Figurs said it was a coaching decision. "That was something that was out of my control," he said.
It appears that Figurs is becoming a long shot to make the Ravens. But Figurs, who lost his job as a returner by the end of last season, said he isn't worried about making the final cut. "I know I can still do what I can do," he said. "I just got to get a chance."
End zone
The Ravens released quarterback Cleo Lemon to trim the roster to 75. Lemon was signed after third-string quarterback John Beck injured his throwing shoulder. "We felt like if things with John didn't work out, [Lemon] would have been a great go-to guy for us," Harbaugh said. "He'll be on a team really soon. There's no question about it." ... Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed didn't practice Tuesday, walking onto the field with no helmet and wearing a sweat shirt. He has been battling a nerve impingement in his neck for more than a year. Others not practicing were: offensive tackle Oniel Cousins (ankle) and tight ends L.J. Smith (hamstring) and Isaac Smolko (undisclosed). ... Offensive tackle Jared Gaither (neck) suited up for practice but didn't participate in drills during the media-viewing portion of practice. Cornerback-returner Chris Carr (quadriceps) also returned to practice and said he was planning on playing in the preseason finale. Running backs Matt Lawrence and Cedric Peerman both practiced after missing Monday's session. ... Harbaugh was vague when asked whether he had thought about holding out some starters in the preseason finale. "There have been a lot of thoughts about a lot of things," he said. "Some of them have been expressed and some of them haven't. And some of them won't be in this press conference either."
