Ogden Doubtful; R. Lewis Set to Play

McNair Sits Out Practice, but Ravens Hopeful

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Sept. 12 -- Tackle Jonathan Ogden essentially ruled himself out of the Baltimore Ravens' home opener on Sunday, but linebacker Ray Lewis said that he will be ready to play against the New York Jets.

The two cornerstones of the Ravens were injured on Monday in Baltimore's 27-20 loss in Cincinnati -- Ogden aggravated the injured toe that sidelined him through the preseason, Lewis strained his right triceps muscle -- and neither player practiced on Wednesday. Quarterback Steve McNair, who left Monday's game with a groin injury, also did not practice, but the Ravens (0-1) are hopeful that he will be able to play against the Jets (0-1).

Ogden's injury is considered to be the most troublesome and serious of the three. He initially hyperextended the big toe on his left foot in the 14th game last year and missed the final two regular season games. Ogden returned for the playoff loss to Indianapolis but re-injured the toe; he did not undergo surgery. He started against the Bengals, but limped off the field early in the second quarter when he got bull-rushed and his left foot gave out.

"I don't think there's any way I can play," Ogden said. "You never know, miracles have occurred before. But that's what it would be if I were to get out there and play this week."

Adam Terry would start in Ogden's place, with rookie Marshal Yanda moving into Terry's spot at right tackle. Ogden wouldn't give a timetable for his return.

"It's just the most maddening, most frustrating pain I've ever had," said Ogden, who is in his 12th season. "I've pulled hamstrings, sprained knees, necks, shoulder -- all these things and I still managed to recover relatively quickly. But this toe has just been a mystery to me, how it continues to nag and nag and then feel better and just do what happened on Monday night."

Quarterback Kyle Boller, who has not started since 2005, was with the starting offense Wednesday during the portion of practice that was open to reporters. Coach Brian Billick said a decision on whether McNair would play might not come until game time, and added that it would be difficult to ask McNair to start without having practiced at all during the week.

"In my career, I've not practiced for eight weeks and played well," said McNair, who has weathered myriad injuries during his 13 NFL seasons. "Now, last year would have been a totally different thing. I probably would have to practice to go out there and play. But, knowing this offense and having chemistry with these guys offensively, I don't think it will take much."

McNair was injured while making his first pass on Monday. He continued to play -- committing four turnovers (three fumbles and an interception) -- and finally gave way to Boller in the fourth quarter. The injury made it difficult for McNair to plant and follow through on his throws, which started to sail.

"Steve is okay, but you could see on some of the throws that he wasn't getting the push. That's why some of the throws took off on him," Billick said. "That's going to be the litmus test. He's a tough guy. If it's just pain, that's a no-brainer. But can he throw and push off of it comfortably and be functional? That's the big issue."

Lewis characterized his injury as a bad strain, but said that it felt much better on Wednesday. "I don't see nothing changing with my status," he said. "Right now I'm giving it some real good rest. It feels great. Is the pain there? Of course, but it is what it is. There's nothing torn. That's always a blessing."

Lewis was injured on Baltimore's first defensive play, when he got his arm caught between two players; on the next play, he came up grimacing after tackling Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

But Lewis continued to play, with the arm wrapped, and was credited with a team-high 11 tackles. During the first quarter, Lewis brought down Rudi Johnson with just his left arm, dragging down the 6-foot-2, 214-pound running back from behind; Lewis was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play because he grabbed Johnson by the collar.

"I told my mom it's just one arm -- I've got a whole other body left," Lewis said. "Once he gave me the okay, I was like, 'Doc, can I hurt it anymore?' He said, 'Nah.' I said, 'I'm playing.' The pain is going to be the pain; as long as I've got my teammates, I'm good."

Ravens Notes: Kick returner B.J. Sams was placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Rookie Yamon Figurs, a third-round pick, will likely take over kickoff return duties, with Cory Ross -- who was added to the active roster from the practice squad -- possibly helping with punt returns.

Tight end Daniel Wilcox (ankle), cornerback Samari Rolle (foot) and linebacker Gary Stills (chest) did not practice, and wide receivers Mark Clayton (toe) and Figurs (chest) were limited. Rolle and Stills were held out for precautionary measures; Wilcox is on crutches and will not play this weekend. . . . Jets quarterback Chad Pennington said that he is preparing to play on Sunday, in spite of his injured right ankle. If he can't, then second-year quarterback Kellen Clemens will likely make his first NFL start.