Earlier this week, there was a report that Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis would be healthy enough to return from his torn triceps when he’s eligible to play in a game in Week 15.
Lewis is eligible to start practicing this week under the rules governing players designated to return from injured reserve, but he wasn’t on the field Wednesday. Coach John Harbaugh didn’t say when Lewis would return to practice with the team, although he did give a hint about what kind of time frame the Ravens are using to make their decision about Lewis’ status.
“We’ll just play it day-by-day as far as whether he practices or not,” Harbaugh said, via Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. “He is not imminent to play or anything like that, so to me it’s really a non-story. He’ll go out there when he’s ready to practice when the elbow holds. And when that happens, we’ll let you know.”
Lewis is rehabbing at the Ravens’ facility so he’ll be on hand whenever the team decides he’s ready to get back on the practice field. Getting Lewis back for the Week 15 game against the Broncos would be a nice boost for Baltimore’s hopes of getting a bye in the first round of the playoffs, but it’s not the most important time for them to have their defense at full strength.
A win this week would clinch the division if the Bengals lose and would put the Ravens on the brink of the division even if the Bengals should win, so there’s not much reason for the Ravens to rush Lewis back on the field. Getting him back for the playoffs should be the goal, something that seems quite plausible if he’s day-by-day to return to practice.