October 13, 2010|By Ken Murray, The Baltimore Sun
With Ed Reed a week away from coming off the NFL's physically-unable-to-perform list, Ravens coach John Harbaugh insisted Wednesday the timetable for the Pro Bowl safety's return is still up to Reed.
"That's going to be up to Ed and the doctors and the trainers to see how it goes," Harbaugh said. "He's going to push himself as hard as he can, but then really it will be his call, because he's going to know whether he can [play]. He's the guy who's been in the league forever [nine years]. He knows what he can do and what he can't do."
Reed has been rehabilitating from hip surgery in April. Recently, he has worked off to the side at the Ravens practice facility during team workouts. He initially injured the hip in late November and missed four games in December before returning for the season finale and the playoffs.
Expectations are that Reed will come off the PUP list for the Oct. 24 home game against the Buffalo Bills, having served the obligatory six-week inactive period. But Reed would have an additional 21 days to practice with the team before a decision on his status must be made. At that point, he could join the active roster, be released, or finish the season on the PUP. Harbaugh was cautious in addressing Reed's potential return.
"I guess you've got to be careful what you say," Harbaugh said. "I don't know. I am hopeful, I'm optimistic, [and] I feel like [Ed] is doing great. What I was trying to say was [Ed] is working really hard and he looks good. But you don't know [when he will feel well enough to play]."
Also eligible to return from PUP after this week are special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo and running back Matt Lawrence. Harbaugh characterized Ayanbadejo's return as being similar to Reed, but said Lawrence "is probably the most grey right now, as far as returning."
Zbikowski's final start?
If Reed returns against the Bills, that means Tom Zbikowski will make his sixth and potentially final start of the season on Sunday in New England. Zbikowski said he was eager to play in the secondary with Reed and see how much the defense will improve.
"Where our defense is at — and we still have Ed Reed to come back — it's only going to get better," Zbikowski said.
The third-year veteran made four starts in Reed's absence last December — with two interceptions and three passes broken up — but has yet to get an interception this season.
"I feel good [about how he's played]," Zbikowski said. "Just coming in and getting those picks early [in 2009], I think caused me a little nightmares, because you come in and you think it's going to be that easy. … I had three [interceptions] in my hands last year in four games and I'm playing 20 times better now than I was last year. But I just don't have stats, which is tough, and that's the way DB's are. I compare it a little bit to baseball: you're hot and cold. When you're hot, every time you're swinging, you're making contact."
Zbikowski dropped a potential interception in a Week 2 loss at Cincinnati, but has 14 tackles this season. He also has improved his punt returns since the beginning of the season and is averaging. 6.3 yards per return.
Gaither still in limbo
While the Ravens continue to wait on Jared Gaither's return, the offensive tackle said Wednesday his back pain persists and there is no change in his status.
"The pain has been kind of steady, and there really hasn't been an increase or decrease in pain," Gaither said.
Gaither was diagnosed with a thoracic disk injury after suffering back spasms on Aug. 5 during training camp. He said Dr. Robert Watkins, a back specialist in Los Angeles, did not recommend surgery.
Harbaugh said Monday the team was still hopeful Gaither would return, but has acknowledged a decision about going on injured reserve would have to be made eventually. If Reed and Ayanbadejo come off PUP next week, the Ravens would have to move at least two players off the active roster.
Asked if IR was his worst fear, Gaither said: "No. The timetable of getting better, all that stuff is really secondary to my health. I want myself to be very healthy. IR would be disappointing to me terribly. But obviously, things have to be done, whatever needs to be done, and I understand that part. But like I told them before, I'll give them everything I've got every day, and we'll see."
End zone
Wednesday's first practice for the Patriots saw three Ravens starters — defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (knee), running back Ray Rice (knee) and fullback Le'Ron McClain (shoulder, knee) — miss the workout with injuries. … Ngata injured his knee running a pass route on the goal line in the first quarter against Denver, although he returned to play on defense. … Rice has a knee bruise from the Sept. 26 Cleveland game. … All three are expected to play against the Patriots. Also missing practice were defensive end Paul Kruger and cornerback/kick returner Josh Wilson. Returning kicks for the Ravens during Wednesday's early practice were David Reed, Jalen Parmele and even Willis McGahee. Limited in practice were linebackers Edgar Jones (thigh) and Jameel McClain (knee).
ken.muray@baltsun.com
Baltimore Sun reporter Edward Lee contributed to this article.
