National Football League

Lewis practices; not eligible to play

Published Dec. 5, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since he tore his triceps nearly two months ago.

Lewis was placed on injured reserve with the designated-to-return tag after he suffered the injury — which required surgery — against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 14. He won’t be eligible to return until the Ravens face the Denver Broncos on Dec. 16.

“I’m making progress and will practice some today,” Lewis said in a statement. “But, the story shouldn’t be about me right now. We’re playing the Redskins Sunday, and I am not eligible to play. If I can help prepare my team in some way for that game, I will. When I know I will play in a game, or when I play in game, I will say more then.”

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in his news conference on Wednesday that he didn’t know if Lewis was game-ready yet.

Lewis, a seven-time first-team All-Pro, is part of a Ravens defense hit hard by injuries. Already without cornerbacks Chris Johnson (hamstring) and Jimmy Smith (groin surgery), the Ravens were minus linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (ankle) in Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Linebacker Terrell Suggs also injured his biceps during that contest. Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday that Suggs had a “very serious strain.” Like Ellerbe, Suggs could be another game-time decision as the Ravens travel to play the Redskins on Sunday.