Pro Football
Ogden Returns to Practice, Will Sit Out Friday's Game
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Left tackle Jonathan Ogden returned to practice yesterday but will not play in the Baltimore Ravens' final preseason game, against Atlanta on Friday night. The 10-time Pro Bowler, who was sidelined throughout the offseason and training camp with an injured toe, said that he hopes to play in the season opener in Cincinnati on Sept. 10, but that it is still too early to tell if he will be ready.
"It's hard to tell with a toe. I still haven't hit anybody, I haven't thrown the pads on, I just did some individual work," said Ogden, who did not participate in team drills. "But it is a step forward. Hopefully we'll see how it goes. I'll keep practicing this week, and next week I'll throw the pads on and see how it feels and take it from there."
Ogden, 33, injured the big toe on his left foot against Cleveland on Dec. 17 and missed the final two regular season games. He returned for the playoffs but aggravated the injury during Baltimore's loss to Indianapolis. He considered retiring during the offseason, but made the decision to return for another season in April.
Ogden has missed only 10 games in his career, which is entering its 12th season. He had an abbreviated preseason in 2006 because of the death of his father; he didn't begin practicing until Aug. 19 but played in two preseason games and was ready for the season opener. Ogden has been with the team since the start of training camp, but the injury has limited what he has been able to do.
"You can't really get in football shape without playing football, I don't care how much conditioning you do," Ogden said. "And I haven't really been able to run. But I've been working out, trying to get as ready as I can. [I'm] set to go on the fly. Do the best I can, try to catch up as I go."
Against the Falcons, rookie tackle Jared Gaither will likely make his fourth start in place of Ogden.
Baltimore terminated the contract of right guard Keydrick Vincent, who started 17 games in two seasons. Vincent, 29, lost his starting job to second-year player Chris Chester and was switched to the left side, where he was backing up Jason Brown.
The Ravens also put second-year running back P.J. Daniels (hamstring) on injured reserve.
-- Camille Powell
