James Trapp

For the first time in a while, the Ravens should have their full arsenal of running backs heading into Monday night's showdown against the Minnesota Vikings. Jason Brookins is expected to play and will take his first meaningful practice snaps with the offense today after missing four games with a broken bone in his right foot. Brookins practiced last week but was inactive for Saturday night's loss at Tampa Bay. The Ravens will work him into the game plan during practice the next three days.

As expected, the Ravens will be without safety Will Demps for at least the first two regular-season games after the undrafted rookie dislocated his elbow in Thursday's loss to the New York Giants. Demps hopes to return for the Monday night home game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 30. Anthony Mitchell, who was the starter heading into training camp, will likely replace Demps. "It's just part of playing football, one of those freak accidents," said Demps, whose arm got caught in a pile on a tackle in the second quarter.

Anthony Mitchell has kept an even keel through a few up and down weeks. The third-year pro out of Tuskegee came into camp as the starter at strong safety, but rookie free agent Will Demps won the position. When Demps went out with an elbow injury, Mitchell got his first NFL start Sunday at Carolina. His unit allowed just one touchdown, but he was the player victimized on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Panthers tight end Wesley Walls. "I graded myself D, D-minus, because I was the one who should have made the play on the touchdown," Mitchell said.

After his first contact practice since injuring his left shoulder, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis sounded skeptical that he would play in Sunday's game at Miami. "If I had to go today, probably not," Lewis said. "Sunday might be something else." Lewis partially dislocated his left shoulder on Oct. 6, and the Ravens (4-5) have lost three times in his five-game absence. The five-time Pro Bowl performer was again listed as doubtful on the injury report, which means he has a 25 percent chance of playing.

Harry Swayne's calling has always been the same: lead others to daylight. He did it as a hole-carving offensive tackle for the Ravens' Super Bowl champions in the 2000 season. He does it now as team chaplain for the Chicago Bears. Once, the playbook was his Bible. Now, it's the other way around. For five years, Swayne, 42, has counseled Bears players and coaches on personal matters. He tackles marital concerns and anger management issues and sometimes offers financial advice. "There are guys [in pro football]

Time: 4 p.m. todaySite: Los Angeles ColiseumTV: Channels 2, 4Radio: WBAL (1090 AM)Line: Raiders by 1 1/2Records: Broncos 9-7; Raiders 10-6Last week: The Raiders beat the Broncos, 33-30, in overtime on Jeff Jaeger's 47-yard field goal. The Raiders rallied from a 30-13 deficit in the third quarter.Last meeting: Last week.The series: The Raiders have a 46-19-2 edge in the series that dates back to 1960 when they were both charter members of the AFL. The Raiders won both regular-season games this year by three points.

Derek Homer knows it may be his job to protect the lead. So if the Ravens call on Homer in the fourth quarter of tonight's preseason game in Philadelphia as expected, the rookie free agent said he will be ready. "You look for those situations," said Homer, who likely will follow Jason Brookins and Chris Barnes in the running back rotation. "In this game, you never know what is going to happen. You have to be prepared for all situations, and I'm going to be very well prepared." Homer played fullback last year at Kentucky, where he was used primarily as a receiver.

Quarterback A+ Elvis Grbac carried the offense while the rest of the unit struggled in the first half. He connected on several big passes, and he continues to make plays with his mobility in the pocket. He is only going to get better as the season goes on and he gets more acquainted with his receivers. Offensive line C Guards Kipp Vickers and Edwin Mulitalo and center Mike Flynn had problems with tackles Keith Traylor and Ted Washington, but they wore down the big man, Washington, in the fourth quarter.

The Ravens revisited an old theme in Sunday's 16-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals - a shuffling offensive line. Right guard Bennie Anderson left the game in the first quarter with a strained neck but likely will return for Saturday's game at Tampa Bay. Orlando Bobo filled in for Anderson in what was his most extensive playing time of the season. Bobo had practiced all last week at center. It was the first time the Ravens' starting offensive line did not finish a game since Nov. 4 at Pittsburgh.

After reviewing Todd Heap's first game as the Ravens' No. 1 tight end, coach Brian Billick compared his importance to the team to that of running back Jamal Lewis. "[Heap] is a guy that we have to stay involved in the offense, as does Jamal," Billick said. "Jamal has to have more than 19 carries, and Todd needs to have at minimum five catches a game." Heap hit his minimum in Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers, but he netted just 20 yards. Despite the low yardage total, Billick raved about Heap's performance.