Ed Dickson

Ed Dickson has started all five games at tight end, but Dennis Pitta said his exposure in the Ravens' 29-14 win against the Houston Texans Sunday was his longest of the season. “I definitely played quite a bit,” said Pitta, who was unable to estimate how many snaps he played. “I was happy to see the field a little bit more and try to contribute out there. It was a fun game.” Pitta caught two passes for nine yards, but he was targeted a season-high four times by quarterback Joe Flacco against Houston.

In the first quarter of Sunday night's 34-17 victory against the New York Jets, Ed Dickson was targeted four times, catching three balls for 35 yards and three first downs. But those opportunities evaporated in the second quarter. The second-year tight end was targeted seven more times, but failed to pull in a single reception. A few of those offerings from quarterback Joe Flacco were beyond the 6-foot-4 Dickson's reach, but he also dropped three catchable balls. “I want there to be a game where I catch every single ball,” said Dickson, who ended his min-drought with a 10-yard grab in the fourth quarter.

It will be fun watching the Ravens' John Harbaugh and the Steelers' Mike Tomlin make the necessary changes in game plans after the Ravens defeated Pittsburgh, 35-7, in the season opener. In the first game, Pittsburgh couldn't match Baltimore's intensity and it appeared as if the Steelers didn't know how to handle some of the new offensive players. In the past, the Steelers knew the weaknesses and strengths of tight end Todd Heap and receiver Derrick Mason but this year had very little knowledge on how the Ravens planned to use veteran receiver Lee Evans, young tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson and rookie receivers LaQuan Williams and Torrey Smith.

One of the few bright spots in the Ravens' stunning 22-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday was the play of tight end Ed Dickson. Dickson set a team-record for catches in a single game by a tight end with 10, led the offense with 79 receiving yards, and scored both of the offense's touchdowns with 1-yard and 11-yard receptions in the second and fourth quarters, respectively. After the game, however, Dickson wasn't satisfied with his personal success. “I would trade that for a victory any day,” he said. “I'll trade all my stats right now for a 'W' on the scoreboard. I just like to keep working.

In addition to a trio of starters in inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, cornerback Corey Graham and tight end Ed Dickson missing Wednesday's practice, wide receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones was also sidelined. Jones was present during the portion of practice open to the media, but he apparently did not participate in the session. He was listed as dealing with an ankle injury that may stem from last Sunday's 16-13 overtime win against the San Diego Chargers. Ellerbe and Dickson are also battling injuries sustained from Sunday's game.

A day before the Ravens will have to make a decision on whether to activate him for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, middle linebacker Ray Lewis was on the practice field for the second straight day. Lewis, who hasn't played since Week Six because of a torn right triceps muscle, is eligible to come off injured reserve with a designation for return in time for Sunday's game. The Ravens will have to activate him by 4 p.m. tomorrow in order for him to play versus the Broncos.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed hope earlier in the week that his team is getting healthier and that appears to be the case heading into Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Only three Ravens - running back  Bernard Pierce (concussion), wide receiver Tandon Doss (ankle) and safety Bernard Pollard (chest/ribs) - were not present at this morning's practice at the Under Armour Performance Facility. Pierce, Doss and Pollard haven't practiced all week, making it unlikely that they'll play Sunday.

I've had some complaints with Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron through the years, but didn't find much fault in the game he called Sunday against the Texans. The Ravens ended up kicking five field goals, but Cameron had little to do with their lack of success inside the red zone. In fact, the Ravens were two of four inside the 20 yard line as far as scoring touchdowns.  If there are fingers to be pointed, it has to be at the players. When the Ravens struggled to score from the one yard line on three straight running plays in the first period, it wasn't Cameron's fault.

Ravens starting inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe characterized his status as a last-minute decision heading into Sunday's kickoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ellerbe was dressed out at practice Friday after missing the previous two days due to a right foot and ankle injury suffered against the San Diego Chargers. "We'll see how it feels," Ellerbe said. "It's going to be a game-time. I'm getting better every day. " Ellerbe said the swelling has gone down, but indicated he didn't do much at practice Friday.

The Ravens remain mum on whether Ray Lewis will play Sunday against the Denver Broncos, but the middle linebacker was present at the early portion of practice open to the media. Lewis has not played since Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys because of a torn right triceps injury. He practiced some last week but there was no sign of him during the early part of Wednesday's practice, fueling speculation that he may not be ready to return against the Broncos. Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe , who has missed the past two weeks with an ankle injury, returned to practice on a limited basis.