Heap likely a game-time call

Todd Heap is listed as questionable for Sunday's game due to his nagging hamstring injury. "You don't want to rush it," he told the Baltimore Sun You want to make sure you're as close as you can get to being healthy before you go out and press it. We'll see on Sunday." While Heap hopes to be ready to return this weekend, a decision on his status probably won't come until close to game time.

Rolle ruled out for Sunday

Samari Rolle will not take part in Sunday's game, according to the Baltimore Sun. Rolle still is dealing with an undisclosed medical condition, so it's not clear exactly what's wrong with him. On top of Rolle, Ed Reed and Chris McAlister are listed as questionable after missing practice on Friday. The absence of Rolle and perhaps Reed and/or McAllister would help the Bengals' passing game Sunday.

McNair returns to practice

Steve McNair, who missed two games prior to the Ravens' week eight bye with a back injury, returned to practice Monday and is expected to play in week nine, according to the Baltimore Sun. The Ravens have struggled offensively, both with and without McNair at the helm, and a Monday night date with the Steelers doesn't exactly strike us as a cure-all.

Heap set to return from hamstring

Todd Heap is expected to return to action on Sunday, according to the Baltimore Sun. The tight end missed last week's game with a strained hamstring, but he's practiced all week and is set to take the field this weekend.

McNair may not be able to play

Earlier in the week it looked like Steve McNair's back injury wouldn't stop him from playing on Sunday, but that's no longer the case. He missed his second consecutive practice Friday due to the injury and now is considered to be a game-time call, according to the Baltimore Sun. Although he seems to be nearly over his groin injury, his back problem obviously is a big enough concern that even if he starts the game, he may not finish it. Hopefully, you'll have a safer option than McNair to put in your lineup.

Mason misses practice

Wide receiver Derrick Mason did not practice Wednesday because he was battling a case of gastroenteritis. "He's got, as Tess [trainer Bill Tessendorf] says, gastroenteritis," Ravens coach Brian Billick told the Baltimore Sun. "In my neighborhood, that's [diarrhea]. So you put whatever label you want to."Evidently the NFL player with more catches than anyone else was dropping something on Wednesday, and while his 8.1 yards per carry isn't all that explosive… okay, we'll stop there. We fully expect Mason to trot out to his regular position this Sunday against the Rams.

Heap hopes to return

Todd Heap returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis after missing last week's game with a strained hamstring. "I talked to a lot of guys on our team that have had [strained hamstrings], and you've got to be careful," Heap told the Baltimore Sun. "You've got to be smart about it, but it's been improving every day, which is a good sign. I'm excited for this week." Heap's return will help out a woefully thin position for the Ravens, as fellow tight end Daniel Wilcox is still sidelined by a strained toe.

Lloyd released

Baltimore released kicker Rhys Lloyd and signed rookie wide receiver Matt Willis off their practice squad, the Baltimore Sun reported. Lloyd was expected to handle kickoffs to keep Matt Stover's leg fresh, but he was inactive all four games. Lloyd was Stover's backup, so would have only had fantasy value if Matt's leg fell off, which it didn't.

McNair gets a full day of work in

Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was able to participate fully in Wednesday's practice, according to the team's injury report. He has been battling a groin injury over the last few weeks. McNair is going to get the start this Sunday against the Browns unless he suffers a setback during the week. However, he remains a risk to fantasy owners because of the fact he could re-injure the groin at any time.

McNair back in, but Ogden still out

Steve McNair was able to practice yet again on Friday. After the session, coach Brian Billick said that McNair will return to start Sunday's game, according to the Baltimore Sun. He missed last week's game after straining his groin during the opener. However, McNair won't have Jonathan Ogden blocking for him, as a toe injury will keep the offensive lineman out again.

McNair expected to start

Quarterback Steve McNair, who was held out of the Ravens' week two win over the Jets because of a groin injury, is expected to start this Sunday's tilt against the Cardinals, head coach Brian Billick announced during Monday's news conference. McNair looked rough in a season-opening loss to the Bengals, but maybe a week off will help his injured groin. Kyle Boller, who started the win over the Jets, is available in the bullpen.

Clayton, Williams playing

Ravens wide receivers Mark Clayton (toe) and Demetrius Williams (chest) are both active for Week 2. Both receivers were listed as questionable. Williams saw a lot more action than Clayton in the opener, so Demetrius seems like the better play of the two. Fantasy owners probably have better options than both guys, though.

McNair says he's a game-time call

Steve McNair said he will be a game-time call on Sunday due to his strained groin. "If I can go out there and still be able to move and not alter my mechanics, I'm going to play. If I can't, I just can't," McNair told the Baltimore Sun. "That's something we'll know in a couple of days." McNair hasn't practiced this week, though he was able to throw on the side before and after Friday's session. McNair is tough as nails, but it would be surprising if Kyle Boller doesn't start the game in place of McNair.

Boller takes the snaps

Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller took all the snaps with the first team in practice Friday with the Ravens, likely meaning that starter Steve McNair will not play Sunday against the Jets, according to ESPN. McNair aggravated a groin injury in Monday's loss to the Bengals. Boller shouldn't be too much of a downgrade at the position from McNair, so don't fret about the rest of the Ravens offense on his account. However, keep in mind that left tackle Jonathan Ogden also will miss this game.

McNair throws

Quarterback Steve McNair threw during Thursday's practice, but backup Kyle Boller took the snaps with the Ravens' first team and McNair remains a game-time decision. "[He did] a little more," Ravens coach Brian Billick told the Baltimore Sun about McNair's participation. "He threw a little bit." Boller is preparing to start Sunday's tilt against the Jets, but we've seen McNair take a full week of practice off only to show up on Sunday and play well. That was a few years ago, however, and if Monday night's performance was any indication McNair's groin injury may hinder him too much to allow him to effectively quarterback the Ravens this week.

Billick optimistic about McNair

Steve McNair left the Ravens' season opening loss with an injured groin, but head coach Brian Billick told the Baltimore Sun he's "very optimistic" about McNair starting this week against the Jets. "He's a tough guy," Billick told the Sun. "If it's just pain, that's a no-brainer. But can he throw and push off it comfortably? That's the big issue." McNair did not throw during Wednesday's practice, and Billick indicated he'll need to see him throw before giving him the starting nod. McNair has been down this road before, sitting out a week of practice before showing up Sunday and playing well. However, he didn't play well last week and the groin may be part of the reason. Kyle Boller is in the bullpen should the Ravens need a relief pitcher.

Sams tears ACL, out for year

B.J. Sams tore an ACL in Monday's loss at Cincinnati and is out for the season, the Baltimore Sun reports. Yamon Figurs is expected to become Baltimore's main kick-return man in place of Sams, with Figurs or Ed Reed working on punt returns (Reed took a punt back for a touchdown Monday).

Ogen out indefinitely with toe injury

Jonathan Ogden is the most injured of the Ravens starters, Brian Billick told the Baltimore Sun. Ogden is considered out indefinitely with a nagging toe injury that he re-aggravated Monday. While Ogden is no longer the dominant player he was a few years back, he's still a major loss for the Baltimore offensive line.

Ravens: Clayton bites his way to sidelines

Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton did not participate in the afternoon practice on Monday due to an abscess on his left hand. He tells the Baltimore Sun that the ailment is a result of biting his fingernails. It sounds like Clayton has a bad habit that also plagues many of us. We don't expect him to be out long.

Ravens: Ogden lands on PUP

As expected, Ravens left tackle Jonathan Ogden was placed on the PUP at the open of camp on Monday. Ogden suffered a toe injury late in the 2006 season and is still working his way back. "We knew last February he would go to PUP and miss three, maybe four weeks of training camp," head coach Brian Billick tells the team's official web site. "That was the design; we structured it that way. His workouts in the offseason were structured knowing that he would come in here and PUP, and that's a good thing." Billick sounds pretty nonchalant about Ogden's status, but we're somewhat worried. Willis McGahee needs Ogden to be on his Pro Bowl form if the running back is going to perform up to expectations.