Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey has missed six of the team’s 12 games this season because of foot and calf injuries.
Fellow cornerbacks Brandon Stephens and Ronald Darby have played well in Humphrey’s absence, and the Ravens have the No. 2 passing defense in the league, allowing just 171.7 yards per game.
After missing the past two games, Humphrey has been an active participant at practice this week and should be ready to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Humphrey has declared himself healthy.
“I feel good. [I’m] ready to rock,” he said.
The Ravens will need a healthy Humphrey against a pair of Los Angeles wide receivers, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Nacua has 77 catches for 1,029 yards, which broke the franchise record for receiving yards in a rookie season. Kupp has battled injuries but is still third on the team with 33 receptions for 432 yards.
The Rams’ offensive line has also given quarterback Matthew Stafford plenty of time to throw. Stafford has been sacked just 20 times this year, which ranks in the bottom third of the NFL
Humphrey has yet to force a turnover this season, so this week would be a perfect time to snag an interception or force a fumble.
“They have some playmakers, for sure. I knew what Kupp could do,” Humphrey said. “Nacua kind of came in [as] a surprise. I think he has 1,000 yards already. They just find really good ways to get open. They can beat man coverage. They’re really good in zone [coverage]. Those two guys together are kind of hard. Which one do you want to try to stop [or] try to limit? We’ll definitely have our hands full this Sunday.”
Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is excited to have Humphrey back in the lineup.
“Marlon at his best is good as they come,” Macdonald said. “So, I’m glad that he’s feeling better, and he’s trying to get up to speed. But he looks good right now out there, for sure.”
Bateman back at practice
Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman was back at practice Thursday after missing the previous day with an illness. Bateman did not appear to be hampered and ran drills with the rest of the wide receivers. Ravens coach John Harbaugh was confident about Bateman being available Sunday against the Rams.
Bateman, a first-round pick from Minnesota in 2o21, ranks fourth on the team with 22 receptions for 236 yards with a touchdown.
