Bernard Pierce will carry load if Ray Rice can’t go
By Mike Dyce
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice suffered a hip flexor strain, that injury took him out of the game in a 4th quarter win over the Cleveland Browns. If he can’t play next week Bernard Pierce, the Ravens’ leading rusher with 79 yards, will step in and carry the load.
“He’s becoming a complete back,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “We’re just very fortunate to have him on our team.”
After the game though Rice wasn’t limping and an MRI wasn’t scheduled, both were good signs for Rice and his availability next week.
“That’s the indication, that it’s not really serious,” Harbaugh said. “They would be looking at it if they thought it was. So, we’ll just be day to day with him. I’d probably lean toward resting him this week and see how he looks this weekend. He’s not going to need the practice to play in the game. If he feels great, we’ll put him out there. If he doesn’t, we’ll probably rest him and get him ready to go Sunday if possible.”
Ray Rice has played in 66 straight games, that is the third-longest streak on the Ravens.