Yanda

The Ravens likely have lost right guard Marshal Yanda for the rest of the season to a serious knee injury, coach John Harbaugh said yesterday. "It's a big blow," Harbaugh said at his weekly news conference. "Yanda's a Raven in every way. He's really played well. He's been an anchor for our offensive line." Yanda, a third-round draft choice in 2007 who started 12 games as a rookie, went down on a short pass play in the final two minutes of Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He was carted off the field and was on crutches in the locker room later.

Right guard Marshal Yanda and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata were not on the field today in the Ravens' final full practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Yanda, who is dealing with knee and shoulder injuries, and Ngata, who has a knee injury, haven't practiced all week. Traditionally, Ravens who don't practice at all do not play that week. Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees said yesterday that Ngata was "getting some well-deserved rest.

The Ravens signed one of their NFL draft picks yesterday, agreeing to a three-year deal with offensive lineman Marshal Yanda. A third-round selection and the first of the Ravens' draft class to sign, Yanda worked as the backup at left and right tackle during offseason minicamps. The Ravens targeted him as a first-day selection in the draft, trading their picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds to move up and take Yanda. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection last season for the University of Iowa, where he was coached by former Ravens offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz.

Haloti Ngata, who was just named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl Wednesday night, did not practice for the second straight day, but defensive coordinator Dean Pees said he has no concerns about the defensive tackle's availability for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. “I think he's getting there,” Pees said of Ngata, who has been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries. “He's been banged up, it seems like, kind of all year here and there. But he's getting some well-deserved rest.” In addition to Ngata, fullback Vonta Leach and right guard Marshal Yanda sat out Thursday's session.

The Ravens placed starting guard Marshal Yanda and backup linebacker Tavares Gooden on injured reserve yesterday. Yanda, who injured his knee in the final two minutes of Sunday's 31-3 loss at Indianapolis, is expected to have surgery soon. Gooden, a rookie third-round pick, had played in four games this season. To replace those players, the Ravens signed tight end Edgar Jones and wide receiver Ernie Wheelwright from the practice squad. Two rookies - defensive back Derrick Roberson (Rutgers)

While the Ravens' season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night is becoming a distant memory, rookie Marshal Yanda's disappointment is not. The third-round draft pick was thrust into action at right tackle when left tackle Jonathan Ogden aggravated his hyperextended toe in the second quarter and starting right tackle Adam Terry moved to the left side. If Ogden cannot play, as expected, Yanda will get the start at right tackle in the team's home opener against the New York Jets.

Linebacker Dan Cody will miss most of the Ravens' preseason and possibly the entire season because of a knee injury. Cody, who hyperextended his right knee and tore a piece of cartilage during a noncontact pass-rushing drill May 20, said yesterday that he had the knee arthroscoped two weeks ago and will have to sit out four weeks before doctors can assess its stability. If the knee does not improve, Cody said, the next step would be microfracture surgery, a procedure during which tiny fractures are created in adjacent bones to give room for new cartilage to grow.

SAN DIEGO -- The mystery of whether the Ravens would make a switch at right offensive tackle was anything but a mystery for the principals involved. Rookie Marshal Yanda said that he knew Tuesday that he would be starting in place of Adam Terry against the San Diego Chargers yesterday. Yanda, 22, fared decently, but chastised himself for surrendering a couple of sacks in the second half. "I think I had too many mental errors out there," he said. "I don't feel that I was getting physically beat by those guys, but it was what I was doing.

INDIANAPOLIS - In the final two minutes of a game already lost, the Ravens suffered one final indignity at Lucas Oil Stadium. They lost right guard Marshal Yanda on a play that didn't count. Yanda went down hard on a 4-yard pass play that was erased by a penalty against the Indianapolis Colts. The post-game prognosis was a sprained right knee. But magnetic resonance imaging was scheduled for today and indications are the injury could be serious. Yanda wore a supportive sleeve over his entire right leg and was on crutches in the locker room after the game.

BOB SANDERS COLTS S HT: 5-8 WT: 206 YEAR: 4 WILLIS McGAHEE RAVENS RB HT: 6-0 WT: 232 YEAR: 5 The Ravens might have discovered their offensive identity Monday night, when McGahee rushed for 138 yards on 30 carries against the Patriots. McGahee is shifty and can change directions well, but he also has the power to finish off runs. Sanders is small physically, but he is the glue of the Colts' defense. He is effective on the back end in pass coverage and is an impact player near the line of scrimmage.

A sprained right ankle forced Marshal Yanda to snap a 44-consecutive starts streak dating back to Nov. 29, 2009. Whether the right guard can avoid back-to-back absences is a mystery. Yanda declined to put a percentage on his return for Sunday's regular-season home finale against the New York Giants and said he's unsure of his availability. “We'll see what happens,” he said prior to Wednesday's practice. “We're going to test it out this week and see how it feels.” Yanda, who was replaced in the Ravens' 34-17 loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday, said he felt close to playing, but elected to avoid the risk of aggravating the sore ankle.

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.

Right guard Marshal Yanda and safety Bernard Pollard did not practice all week, and they were among seven Ravens listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. Ravens' players who don't practice all week typically don't play in the weekend's game. However, the banged-up Ravens are obviously holding out hope that Yanda, who has a walking boot on his sprained right ankle, and Pollard, who aggravated a chest/ribs injury against the Washington Redskins last week, will be able to play Sunday.

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.

Bobbie Williams hasn't been informed yet whether he will open Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos at right guard, but with usual starter Marshal Yanda dealing with what coach John Harbaugh characterized Monday as a “seriously sprained ankle,” going with Williams would seem to make sense. If that does happen, the 13-year veteran said his preparation this week won't be any different from previous weeks. “You always want to be ready going in. So you've got to prepare as if you are going in,” Williams said prior to Wednesday's practice.

The Ravens confirmed Thursday that starting right guard Marshal Yanda returned to practice. Yanda, a Pro Bowler last year, participated on a limited basis after sitting out Wednesday's session because of an injured ankle. Nose tackle Terrence Cody (arm) and rookie strong safety Christian Thompson (thigh) were downgraded to limited participation after not being listed on Wednesday's injury report. Five players who were limited Wednesday - wide receivers Torrey Smith (chest) and Jacoby Jones (ankle)

Now that the smoke has cleared and the Ravens have brought the remains of the wreckage back to Baltimore, nothing has really changed except the Ravens got a taste of reality. In the team's 31-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, all the Ravens' weaknesses were exposed after being hidden in the first four games. The NFL is so watered down and mediocre that a team like the Ravens can be almost as good as any other on any given Sunday. But a serious playoff contender has impact players at the skilled positions, and the Ravens are desperately lacking in those areas.

Though neither played in the 55-20 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, defensive starters Haloti Ngata and Pernell McPhee were on the practice field Wednesday as the Ravens continued preparations for their AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. McPhee, a starting defensive end, has missed the past two games with a thigh injury. Asked about him today, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, "He's getting closer. We'll see how it goes this week. " Ngata, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle who has been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries, was active against the Raiders but never entered the game.

Wearing a gray sweatsuit and a beige baseball cap, Ravens injured linebacker Ray Lewis walked onto the practice field Friday next to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and fired a couple of playful jabs into the air. Lewis' surprise visit - his first since sustaining what was believed to be a season-ending torn right triceps muscle during the Ravens' Week Six victory over the Dallas Cowboys - energized teammates who believe that they haven't seen...