Ray Rice, Dez Bryant Injury Updates

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) eludes the tackle of Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) at M

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice wasn’t spotted at practice today during the “early portion”, per a tweet from the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec, which means that Rice might end up playing against the Houston Texans without having practiced all week. Rice is tentatively expected to play against the Texans despite being out for the full week of practices, but his status for Week 3 is a game-time decision at this point.

Rice reportedly isn’t limping anymore, but he hasn’t practiced and hip flexor strains normally cause  a player to miss a week. I think we’ll see Rice against the Texans, but it is indeed a definite game-time decision. Even if Rice does play, Bernard Pierce is a more than capable No. 2 running back, and he will see the brunt of the touches against the Texans. The Ravens should have faith in Pierce’s ability to be the feature back, and that could also give the Ravens further incentive to rest Rice a week. But, then again, this week’s game against the Texans is much bigger than next week’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant was expected to practice yesterday, but he did not practice despite being on the field. Bryant did, however, run routes, stretch, and jog, and his status was never in doubt for this week’s game against the St. Louis Rams. According to Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill, Dez Bryant is practicing today and is “moving a lot better”. Bryant should have another monster game in Week 3, and his importance to the Cowboys offense cannot be understated; he’s been absolutely phenomenal so far this season.

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