Monday Night Links

If it were up to receiver Mark Clayton, he would be in the lineup on Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons.  While it’s unlikely that he’ll play, he’ll be active for the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, which is sort-of like a fifth pre-season game.  And the Chiefs may be without Matt Cassel, who is out two-to-four weeks with a strained MCL.

While Clayton is unlikely to play, linebacker Terrell Suggs might play a little on Thursday.  Before today, Suggs hadn’t practiced since he was injured on August 2nd.  “We want Suggs to take part this week,” coach John Harbaugh said, via Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun.

Nose tackle Kelly Gregg wants to play in the team’s final pre-season game.  “I’m going to practice today,” Gregg said, per Edward Lee of the Baltimore Sun. “It’s just one of those deals. I’ve got to get out there and do a little work. They’re starting to call me Mr. Glass around here.”

Two Falcons’ players the Ravens won’t face in Thursday’s game are running back Jerious Norwood and safety William Moore.

Receiver may be the team’s biggest weakness, but coach John Harbaugh said, “We don’t believe in one piece to the puzzle that you plug one guy in, and all of a sudden you’ve got an offense.”  It would be a huge mistake if the team pursued Denver’s suspended receiver Brandon Marshall.  He wouldn’t be worth the draft picks, salary (after an extension) and headaches.

Teams are required to cut rosters to 75 players by Tuesday’s deadline.  The Ravens cut three players today — quarterback Drew Willy, wide receiver Bradon Godfrey and wide receiver Biren Ealy.

Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle will miss the first six weeks (at a minimum) of the season as he will begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.  After those six weeks, the Ravens will have three weeks to either activate Rolle or place him on injured reserve.  “Samari has a chance to come back and play this year,” Harbaugh said. “… If there’s any risk at all, he won’t play. But if there’s no risk, then he’ll have a chance to help this team down the stretch.

Kicker Steve Hauschka said (via the Baltimore Sun) of Matt Stover: “I respect what he has done a lot.  He is a legend around here, What he has done for this town is remarkable. So, whenever his name comes up, obviously, it’s a little unsettling. I think I can l show our team I’m the guy for the job, and can take our team to the Super Bowl.”

Tags: Biren Ealy, Bradon Godfrey, Drew Willy, Mark Clayton, Terrell Suggs