Replacing The Irreplaceable

Loss Of Special Teams Ace, Linebacker Ayanbadejo Will Be Difficult For Ravens

Notes: : Offensive tackle Jared Gaither will be a game-time decision against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to coach John Harbaugh. Gaither, who has missed practice this week with a neck injury, wasn't in the locker room when it was open Friday for reporters and is listed as questionable. Asked whether he expected to play it safe and sit Gaither on Sunday, Harbaugh said: "I don't expect anything right now. No expectations. We'll see how it goes on Sunday." ... Linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder) and cornerback Chris Carr (groin) were upgraded to full practice and are probable. Joining them as probable are wide receivers Mason (neck) and Demetrius Williams (illness), free safety Reed (knee), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (back), and linebacker Tavares Gooden (shoulder). ... Ngata said he has no plans to appeal a fine handed down by the NFL for his roughing-the-passer penalty on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on Sunday. "I did touch him in the head, so there's nothing I can really do about it," Ngata said. Linebacker Terrell Suggs, whose shoulder grazed the knee of Brady, said he was not fined. ... Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife, Vikki, died Thursday in Cincinnati, according to a statement released Friday morning by the team. "On behalf of our players, our coaches and the whole organization, we want to offer our heartfelt condolences to the Zimmer family," Harbaugh said. "We have tremendous respect for Mike Zimmer, and we just feel real bad and are very saddened for what happened." ... A pair of Bengals defensive starters in linebacker Rey Maualuga (knee) and defensive tackle Domata Peko (chest) were upgraded to full practice from limited participation and are probable for Sunday. Running back Cedric Benson (hip) and strong safety Roy Williams (fractured forearm) are also probable. Defensive tackle Tank Johnson (plantar fasciitis in foot) is questionable. ... Ravens tight end L.J. Smith said he can't fault the offensive coaches for not using him more extensively in the game plan. "I missed a lot of time," said Smith, who has caught one pass for 26 yards this season. "A lot of stuff that should be fluid for me right now, I'm still learning. The learning process got a little hindered, but I'm still learning every day. I'm not frustrated about the situation. I'm doing other things to contribute, like playing special teams and things like that. I feel like I'll be worked in soon enough."

Baltimore Sun reporter Jamison Hensley contributed to this article.

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