OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Several banged up Ravens returned to the practice field Monday as Baltimore resumed workouts following a bye week.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith was among them, but he doesn't expect his left high ankle sprain to be fully healed for Sunday's home game against Houston. He suffered the injury during the season-opener against Pittsburgh and has missed the past three games.
"Realistically, I highly doubt it," Smith said of his return this week. "I've just got to get over that last little hump, agility, moving side to side and lateral and backpedaling and planting and that stuff. That's the final stage we're in right now."
The Ravens (3-1) had expressed optimism that their first-round draft pick out of Colorado would be back by now.
"He's not there yet, that's for sure," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We'll just have to see throughout the course of the week. I've got my fingers crossed. This was the target week, and we'll just have to see how it goes."
Smith participated on a limited basis on Monday.
"I got on the field and I ran for the first time," Smith said. "It's not 100 percent, it's not even 80 percent there. I can't go out there and try to do something and re-injure myself."
Offensive guard Ben Grubbs practiced after being sidelined for the past three games with a painful right turf toe. He's still considered a question mark for Sunday.
Veteran wide receiver Lee Evans, sidelined the past two games with a left ankle injury, also returned to practice. He said he feels much better, but was noncommittal on whether he'll play Sunday. Evans has been bothered by the injury since the third preseason game and has caught just two passes for 45 yards this season.
It might be a longer wait for fellow wide receiver and kick returner David Reed (separated left shoulder). Though he is no longer in a sling, he still may be a week or two away from returning.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
