The Ravens have been mum about the condition of Ray Rice’s hip. Ray Rice has been mum about the condition of Ray Rice’s hip.
The injury report has been speaking volumes about Ray Rice’s hip.
Rice has yet to practice this week due to the strained hip flexor suffered without contact on Sunday against the Browns. Come Friday, the Ravens will apply a label to Rice regarding his likely availability for Sunday against the Texans.
Look for the Ravens to hide in the safe harbor of questionable. The 50-50 designation allows the team to go either way, and to basically make the Texans think they may see Rice even if the Ravens know they won’t.
It’s a legitimate way to engineer the injury reports in a way that helps the team confuse its opponent.
Without Rice, Bernard Pierce and Shaun Draughn would be carrying the load for the Ravens, who also are missing receiver Jacoby Jones, due to a knee injury suffered in Week One at Denver. And tight end Dennis Pitta, who suffered a hip injury in training camp. And receiver Anquan Boldin, who got from the 49ers the money the Ravens didn’t want to pay him.