[Baltimore Sun] Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum, WR Rashod Bateman pop up on injury report
Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum popped up on the team’s penultimate injury report after missing practice Friday in Owings Mills three days ahead of a crucial Monday night showdown against the host Los Angeles Chargers.
Bateman, who is second on the team in catches (33) and receiving yards (531) this season, is listed with a knee injury, though he was in good spirits and did not appear to be in pain in the locker room after the snowy session. Linderbaum, meanwhile, missed practice with a back injury, and his backup, rookie Nick Samac (chest), was limited.
On the flip side, running back Justice Hill (concussion protocol) and wide receiver Nelson Agholor (illness) were both full participants after Hill was limited a day earlier and Agholor was out sick.
The biggest concern for Baltimore (7-4) ahead of its showdown with the Chargers (7-3) remains the status of All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith, who did not practice for a third straight day because of a hamstring injury he suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It will be a challenge if Roquan can’t go,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said Friday, adding that Smith’s role will be filled by a committee of Trenton Simpson, Malik Harrison and Chris Board if he doesn’t play. “Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan’s an every-down linebacker [and] a top linebacker in this league [and] All-Pro for a reason. Not one guy’s going to replace him. We like our guys that we have in the room — they’re here for a reason, and somebody [has] to step up.”
There were no changes to the rest of the Ravens’ injury report, with safety Kyle Hamilton (neck) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (neck) both full participants for a second straight day and defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle), rookie safety Sanoussi Kane (ankle) and cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf) all not practicing again.
The Chargers, on the other hand, appear to be getting healthier with a few key players back on the field.
Notably, outside linebackers Khalil Mack (groin) and Joey Bosa (hip), rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder), tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) and rookie cornerback Cam Hart (concussion/ankle) all practiced Friday.
Mack, who is third on the team with 4 1/2 sacks and hasn’t played since injuring his groin three weeks ago in a win over the Cleveland Browns, practiced for a second straight day, though he was limited again. Bosa, outside linebacker Bud Dupree (foot), safety Derwin James Jr. (groin) and offensive tackle Trey Pipkins III (ankle) were also limited. Mack’s return would be an added boost to a defense that already leads the NFL in points allowed per game (14.5) and is tied for the fourth-most sacks with 34.
Meanwhile, McConkey, who leads Los Angeles in catches (43) and receiving yards (615) to go with four touchdowns, was limited after not practicing Thursday, as were Hurst, a 2018 Ravens first-round draft pick, and Hart, a Baltimore native.
Linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) did not practice, nor did former Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, who was given a rest day.
With the game Monday night, the final injury report with game statuses will come out Saturday.
Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1.