Ed Reed

One aspect missing from the buildup of Sunday's AFC North clash between the Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals is the lack of barbs usually crafted by wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco, a former Bengal who is now employed by the New England Patriots, once sent deodorant to the Ravens secondary to help the defensive players from sweating while trying to shadow him. He used to keep a pre-game list in his locker of the defensive players he planned to target, and he added former cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle and current inside linebacker Ray Lewis in the past.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh doesn't anticipate a rib injury from preventing seven-time Pro Bowl free safety Ed Reed from playing in the AFC wild-card playoff contest against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday. "He's getting treatment and all that," Harbaugh said Monday. "I'd be surprised if he's not ready to go, but you never know. " Reed said he sustained the injury while getting tackled at the end of his second interception toward the end of the second quarter in the team's 13-7 win against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday.

The pinched nerve in Ed Reed's neck has gotten worse, the Pro Bowl safety told the NFL Network at Super Bowl festivities in Miami on Friday. He reiterated that he remains undecided on whether he will return to the Ravens or retire. "I still have to see doctors," Reed said. "I still need to talk with Ozzie [Newsome] and the Ravens." Reed acknowledged that he has been contemplating retirement the past two years. The pinched nerve in his neck has affected his hip injury, according to Reed.

Ed Reed was voted to his eighth Pro Bowl, but the Ravens free safety is mired in one of the toughest seasons of his 10-year career. Reed has collected just three interceptions thus far. He is on pace to record the fewest number of interceptions in a season which he has played all 16 regular-season games since 2002 and 2006 when he finished with five. His last interception occurred against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 20, which is why Cincinnati coach and former Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis won't overlook Reed.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked to comment on Ed Reed's recent tackling issues, which the Pro Bowl free safety acknowledged Sunday after he was unsuccessful in his attempt to bring down Cincinnati running back Bernard Scott with an arm tackle during Scott's third-quarter touchdown run. Harbaugh wouldn't say if Reed was playing injured and told reporters to ask Reed personally. “I've got a lot of confidence in Ed Reed and I'm sure everybody else does,” he said Monday at his weekly press conference.

Fully vested into his 10th year in the NFL, Ed Reed is still waiting for his first Super Bowl title. But the Ravens free safety isn't concerning himself about whether an 11th season is on the horizon. “I'm taking this one game at a time, taking this in stride,” he said Thursday. “The only thing I'm worrying about right now is this game, this year.” Reduced productivity and injuries have added more fire to the speculation that Reed's decision could depend on the team's results in the postseason.

Ravens free safety Ed Reed is dealing with an eight-game streak of zero interceptions, but the seven-time Pro Bowler insisted that he has no concerns about this current drought. “No, man. I've been playing ball, being where I'm supposed to be,” Reed said Wednesday. “To be perfectly honest, they haven't thrown my way. That's the game plan that some teams come with. So plays will come. I'm not worried about that. We have a winning record, we've been winning, and if me not making a play [means]

Ed Reed was upgraded from limited to full participation for Friday's practice and is listed as probable for Sunday's AFC championship game between the Ravens and New England Patriots. The eight-time Pro Bowl free safety, who sustained a left ankle injury after landing on it awkwardly in Sunday's win against the Houston Texans, was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he improved for Friday's session. He is expected to make his customary start against New England. Without mentioning Reed specifically, coach John Harbaugh had no updates to provide.

Despite missing Thursday's practice, free safety Ed Reed and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs are expected to play in the Ravens' contest against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday. Both starters fully participated in Friday's session and are listed as probable for Sunday's game. The team described Reed as dealing with an injured shoulder and Suggs as being bothered by an injured knee. The outlook is not as encouraging for wide receiver Lee Evans, who is doubtful for Sunday. Evans has been limited all week by a lingering left ankle injury.

Five days after Ed Reed said in a radio interview that players sometimes have to hold out to get what they want, the Ravens free safety steered clear of football questions after hosting the first day of his youth annual football camp on Monday, which is being held at Stevenson University. Reed did say, though, that his focus is “just so far away” from the NFL season, this, 10 days before he is scheduled to report for training camp down the road at the team's facility in Owings Mills.