Ravens to open without Lewis

WESTMINSTER, Md., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- When the former world champion Baltimore Ravens begin their preseason schedule Friday night, they will be without star running back Jamal Lewis.

He missed the entire the entire 2001 campaign after sustaining both a torn ACL and an MCL sprain in his left knee during a training camp scrimmage. The combination forced Lewis to undergo an extensive rehabilitation program for the second time in his career.

In 1998 while at the University of Tennessee, he blew out his right knee.

Neither knee has taken a hit in this year's training camp, and Coach Brian Billick is being extra cautious because no one has really stepped up as he would have liked.

"He looks quicker, faster with every practice," Billick told the Baltimore Sun. "We're easing toward giving him more contact."

In the Ravens' 34-7 Super Bowl XXXV victory over the New York Giants in January 2001, Lewis rushed for 102 yards on 27 carries and one touchdown against a defense that was second in the NFL against the run.

Because of a plethora of training camp injuries, Lewis will be joined on the sidelines by several other projected starters, including another running back, Chester Taylor, defensive ends Michael McCrary and Anthony Weaver, linebacker Peter Boulware and cornerback Gary Baxter.

The Ravens host the Detroit Lions Friday night.