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Status Of Key Ravens In Doubt

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A Tribune wire report

Published: January 17, 2009

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Three key players for the Baltimore Ravens sat out practice for a third straight day Friday, putting their availability in question for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

CB Samari Rolle was listed as doubtful, while Pro Bowl LB Terrell Suggs and WR Derrick Mason were questionable on the team's injury report.

"We're hopeful, just like we always are," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of their chances to play. "They're working hard to get back. All our guys are. We've got a lot of guys with different nicks and bruises and things like that. We've done a great job in the training room, and we're looking forward to seeing who can play on Sunday."

Rolle was injured in last Saturday's 13-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Rolle had three interceptions during the regular season and one in the playoff victory at Tennessee.

Suggs also was injured against the Titans, suffering a sprained shoulder, and he had his arm in a sling on Thursday. And although he insisted earlier in the week that he would play against the Steelers, Suggs had his arm in a sling again Friday and conceded he may be a game-time decision.

Suggs, who had an MRI exam earlier this week, never has missed a game in six seasons with Baltimore.

"He improved throughout the week, and we'll just have to see," Harbaugh said. "We can't make predictions. We don't know. He's worked hard, he's done a good job, and we'll just have to see what happens."

Mason has not been healthy since dislocating a shoulder on Nov. 9. He also is suffering a knee injury but has not missed a game.

"The knee, it's fine. It hurts a little, but after you play 17, 18 straight weeks, something's going to hurt on your body," Mason said. "I think the good thing about it is that it's taking away the pain from my shoulder. So, now I no longer have to worry about my shoulder. I'm just worried about my knee.

"Typically, this has been going on for a bit, once game time comes and I get warmed up, I'm usually over it."

Frozen Tundra In Pittsburgh

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had a change of mind Friday morning, but not because of the biting near-zero temperature.

The Steelers were scheduled to practice outside in their final preparation for Sunday's AFC Championship Game, but they had to move their workout inside because the outdoor practice field was frozen.

However, to make it as cold as possible, Tomlin had the doors to the indoor facility opened during practice, making the temperature close to 32 degrees.

Tribune wires

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