The Baltimore Ravens escaped their Week 2 tussle with the scrappy Cleveland Browns with a 14-6 victory, improving their record to 1-1. In the process, however, they might have lost their most versatile offensive player, Ray Rice, to a hip flexor injury.
With 11:57 left in the game, Rice left the game after falling down untouched. He did not return for the rest of the game, but is not currently scheduled for an MRI and didn't walk with a limp following the contest, according to ESPN.
Click here for video of Rice's injury
Head coach John Harbaugh said of Rice's injury, "He might've gone down to protect himself, too. That's just something that we'll have to see. We're confident and optimistic right now. We'll have to see tomorrow how he responds to that."
Prior to the injury, Rice was struggling to make any progress against Cleveland's underrated defense. He had amassed just 36 yards on 13 carries, an average of just 2.8 yards per rush. Bernard Pierce, the No. 2 back on the depth chart was more effective.
Pierce ran for 57 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts. Fullback Vonta Leach believes the Ravens will keep on trucking with Pierce in the backfield if Rice is unable to take the field next week.
"The running game will keep rolling," fullback Vonta Leach said. "Bernard did a good job for us and we've got confidence in Bernard just like we do with Ray. Hopefully, it's not that bad. I think we'll be all right."
Pierce also believes Rice won't be out of action for very long.
"Sooner or later, he's going to be back," Pierce said. "Ray's going to be back, I have no doubt in my mind. ..
"I was right next to him and my first reaction was, 'Get up.' Once I saw he was getting up, I know, it's going to be on me now. I just had to take the rest of the carries and hopefully finish the game strong."
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