F. Washington Still Starting

Notebook

Cornerback Looks To Recover From Poor Game

Webb Gets More Reps With First Unit

Fabian Washington is still the Ravens' starting cornerback - for now.

Washington was benched in the second half of the team's 33-31 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 18, and afterward, he accepted the blame for his poor performance.

Without saying whether he had retained the starting role opposite Domonique Foxworth, Washington sounded confident that he is the same cornerback the organization acquired before the 2008 season from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft.

"If I was the third-string guy, I would go in there assuming that I'm the starter," he said. "That's just the way I prepare for every game. I'm always going to prepare as if I'm the starter. So my mind-set is fine, A-OK."

A productive Washington would benefit the Ravens, who must end a three-game losing streak Sunday against an undefeated Denver Broncos team that features wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal.

If Washington falters, he could be replaced by Frank Walker or rookie Lardarius Webb, who - according to defensive coordinator Greg Mat tiso n - has been a more frequent fixture on the first defense.

"Every time he goes into a ballgame, he shows that he makes plays," Mattison said. "He's gotten a lot more reps in practice with the first unit. I think his role will keep being expanded all the time."

Webb downplayed Mattison's comments, insisting that he is getting the same number of reps at nickel back and cornerback as he did earlier in the season.

"I've been doing the same thing all year," Webb said. "I've been getting reps every now and then all year. So it's the same to me."

Washington, who is in the final year of a five-year deal he signed with the Raiders when they selected him in the first round in 2005, is the Ravens' only starting defensive back without an interception this season.

But he insisted that he will bounce back from his showing against the Vikings.

"We're just going out and competing, and the best players are going to play for this team," he said. "I'll be back to being Fabes on Sunday."

Gaither downgraded

After fully practicing Wednesday, offensive tackle Jared Gaither was downgraded to no practice Thursday. Gaither, who has missed the Ravens' past two games after suffering a scary neck injury in the second quarter of a 27-21 loss to the New England Patriots on Oct. 4, wore a red non-contact jersey during the portion of practice open to the news media. Gaither has said he intends to play Sunday.

Free safety Ed Reed, who did not practice Wednesday because of illness, returned to full participation. Linebacker Tavares Gooden, who suffered a slight concussion during practice Monday and sat out Wednesday's session, also wore a red noncontact jersey and was limited.

Quarterback Joe Flacco (sprained right ankle), linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder), kicker Steve Hausc hka (right ankle) and wide receiver David Tyree (hamstring) practiced fully.

For the Broncos, a pair of starters in safety Brian Dawkins (hamstring) and nose tackle Ronald Fields (hamstring) were limited.

3-3 is 3-3

Count defensive end-linebacker Terrell Suggs as one player who isn't sugarcoating the team's three losses by a combined 11 points.

"All the experts keep saying, 'Oh, three plays and they're 6-0.' But we can't live off of that," he said. "We're living in reality, and the reality is we're 3-3 and we better start playing some serious football. Otherwise, our January is not going to look that good."

Denver linebacker Elvis Dumervil said he wouldn't call the Ravens' situation desperate.

"They want to get to where they've been in the past in winning," he said. "When a team is used to winning, I'm sure they're not at a panic stage. They've got a group of veteran guys over there and a great coaching staff. So I'm sure they're just going to have a great week of preparation, just like us, and try to come out and execute - see who the better team is on Sunday."

End zone