OWINGS MILLS, Md., Oct. 10 (UPI) -- All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who has not missed a start in his four-year career with the Baltimore Ravens, likely will do just that Sunday against the Ravens play at Indianapolis.
After Lewis missed practice Wednesday, a team official said "it's a long-shot."
Lewis is still in pain after suffering a partial dislocated left shoulder Sunday night against the Cleveland Browns. Being listed as doubtful means there's a 75 percent likelihood that he will not play.
"I'm never prepared to play without Ray, but we have to," said Coach Brian Billick, who's holding Lewis out of practice until Friday at the earliest. "If (Colts Coach Tony Dungy) were any kind sport, he'd put Peyton (Manning) down. Fair's fair. But I don't think Tony's going to do that."
Billick said that, should Lewis miss his first start since 1998, it will provide his team, the youngest in the NFL, another big challenge for the Ravens. Over the past two weeks, their 18 rookies have gone from winless to first place in the AFC North, thanks to primetime victories over the Broncos and Browns.
"We're going to see how this team responds," Billick said. "If indeed Ray can't go, how this team's going to respond to that? How great would that be for this team and the expectations that were brought in for this team, to now, for the third straight game, step up, now on the road, under those circumstances, and come away with a win? Boy, that would be huge."
Lewis leads the team in tackles with 69, almost double the team's No. 2 tackler, interceptions (two), and fumble recoveries (one).
Linebacker is one of the Ravens' deepest positions, which gives Billick several options. Veterans Bernardo Harris and Cornell Brown and rookie Bart Scott could all see time at Lewis' post.
Last season, Lewis missed two weeks of practice with an infection in his elbow and never skipped a game.
"Knowing Ray, I think he'll be out there," said outside linebacker Peter Boulware, who has played with a separated shoulder. "We've talked about it. I told him he'll be able to work through it and be able to play."
"I feel I'm prepared to do whatever's needed for this team to win and whatever they want me to do, I'm willing to do," said Brown, who started at outside linebacker in the Cleveland game. "Playing inside is something I've done before, so it's not that big of a change."
Harris joined the Ravens during training camp after spending seven years with the Green Bay Packers, six as a starter. He said this week will certainly be an adjustment after preparing for special teams play last week.
"I feel like I'm ready," said Harris. "It's my chance to go out there and make something happen."
