[b]Ray Lewis misses practice itching to return from injury[/b]
Ray Lewis usually helps the Baltimore Ravens win by yelling in the huddle, setting the defense and chasing down the guy with the football.
Lately, the 12-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker has been forced to play the role of cheerleader and sideline coach.
And he’s getting pretty darn tired of it.
The 36-year-old Lewis has missed Baltimore’s past two games with an injured right toe. He was held out of practice Wednesday, but hopes to be back in action Sunday when the Ravens (8-3) face the [b][url=http://www.urbestjerse ys.com/Cleveland_Browns_NFL_Je rseys--pc-501-1]Cleveland Browns [/url][/b](4-7).
Lewis seems to be somewhat optimistic that he can play this season — maybe even Sunday at Cleveland — but there are others in Baltimore who think that’s unlikely.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Lewis is “probably the guy that’s furthest away” among the Ravens’ injured players, and former teammate Jonathan Ogden, who was plagued by a toe injury late in his career, is urging Lewis not to rush back onto the field.
In three games without Lewis, the [b][url=http://www.urbestjerse ys.com/Baltimore_Ravens_Nfl_Je rseys--pc-492-1]Baltimore Ravens [/url][/b]held those teams to an average of 13.3 points. In nine games with him, Baltimore has allowed 16.9 points per game.
The [b][url=http://www.urbestjerse ys.com/Denver_Broncos_Nfl_Jers eys--pc-502-1]Baltimore Ravens [/url][/b]have used three undrafted players -- Dannell Ellerbe, Albert McClellan and Brendon Ayanbadejo -- to fill Lewis' spot.