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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 10, 2002
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis missed practice Wednesday with a sore shoulder and is doubtful for Sunday's game against Indianapolis.
Lewis partially dislocated his left shoulder Sunday night against the Browns. Playing without him in the fourth quarter, the Ravens blew most of a 23-0 lead but escaped with a 26-21 victory.
The Ravens face the prospect of playing an entire game without the five-time Pro Bowler, whose 69 tackles over four games is nearly twice that of any teammate. He also has two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
"This is the next big challenge for us," coach Brian Billick said. "If indeed Ray can't go, we're going to see how this team responds. How great would that be to step up on the road under these circumstances and come away with a win? That would be huge."
After an 0-2 start, the Ravens defeated unbeaten Denver at home, then beat Cleveland on the road to even their record and take over first place in the AFC North.
Now comes another challenge: the Colts, who are 3-1 behind former Bucs coach Tony Dungy and quarterback Peyton Manning.
"I'm never prepared to play without Ray, but we have to. If Tony were any kind of sport, he'd put Peyton down. Fair is fair," Billick said with a grin. "But I don't think Tony is going to do that."
BEREA, Ohio -- Browns linebacker Darren Hambrick practiced and is expected to play Sunday at Tampa Bay after surrendering to police on charges that he stole a check from the Carolina Panthers in Dade City.
The 27-year-old Hambrick is accused of stealing a $5,682.51 check from the Panthers three weeks after joining the team in October 2001, according to court records.
Browns coach Butch Davis said the team was not planning disciplinary action against Hambrick, the starting strongside linebacker.
ROBINSON CLEARS AIR: Damien Robinson spoke up again, this time to his teammates and coaches.
The veteran safety had private meetings with Jets coach Herman Edwards and defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell to discuss critical comments he made Monday about the lack of a pass rush. He also stood before the defensive unit to clear the air.
"It's just us as a team, period," Robinson said, emphasizing that he wasn't condemning the defensive line alone when he complained about the Jets' inability to pressure quarterbacks. "I wasn't doing anything like that. We win together and lose together."
EX-AFL CHIEF HOSPITALIZED: Joseph J. Foss, the first commissioner of the American Football League and a former governor of South Dakota, was in critical condition after an apparent aneurysm.
Foss, 87, fell ill Monday night in Beaverton, Mich., and was taken to Covenant Medical Center Cooper in Saginaw. He was in Beaverton to support his great-nephew, who had applied to attend the U.S. Military Academy, and to speak at Beaverton High School.
Foss served as governor of South Dakota from 1955-59 before becoming commissioner of the AFL, which began play in 1960 to challenge the established NFL. Foss held the post until 1966. The leagues merged in 1970.
BEARS: Receiver David Terrell is scheduled for surgery today to repair a broken bone in his foot, and he said he expects to miss about a month.
CHIEFS: Rookie Scott Fujita, a fifth-round pick who impressed coaches from the opening day of training camp, will make his first start Sunday against San Diego.
FALCONS: Quarterback Michael Vick skipped practice and remained doubtful for the game against the Giants with a sprained right (non-throwing) shoulder.
GIANTS: A series of nagging injuries may result in some strange shuffles in the starting lineup. Center Dusty Ziegler hasn't played this season while recovering from knee surgery. Now he might start at left guard in place of Jason Whittle, listed as doubtful with back spasms. Jason Sehorn, also coming back from knee surgery, has been playing nickel back. In practice he played cornerback for the first time because starting right cornerback Will Peterson has a toe injury.
PACKERS: Green Bay patched up its decimated defense by signing cornerback Bryant Westbrook.
PANTHERS: Pro Bowl receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who has missed two games with a pulled hamstring, participated in all team drills and didn't appear bothered by the injury.
RAIDERS: Linebacker Mike Jones re-signed with Oakland, which cut him last month.
RAMS: Quarterback Jamie Martin, Kurt Warner's replacement, missed practice because of a bruised left knee, but coach Mike Martz said there's no doubt he will play Sunday.
TITANS: Defensive end Carlos Hall missed practice, and coach Jeff Fisher said the rookie might need surgery on his right knee today.