Perhaps to no one's surprise, backup quarterback Kyle Boller lined up with the first-team offense during today's portion of practice open to the media. With starter Steve McNair sitting out practice because of a groin injury, Boller took the first snaps with rookie Troy Smith following up.

Other Ravens not present during practice included linebacker Ray Lewis (triceps), offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (toe), tight end Daniel Wilcox (ankle), cornerback Samari Rolle and linebacker Gary Stills. The absence of Rolle -- who showed up later for a brief moment -- and Stills is somewhat surprising because neither was reported to have an injury in Monday night's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Running back MIke Anderson, who had missed two practices last week and the game to deal with a personal matter, was back on the field.

With return specialist B.J. Sams out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, rookie Yamon Figurs and running back Cory Ross handled punt returns during special teams practice. The sight of Ross on punt returns and the presence of wide receiver Romby Bryant -- who had been cut by the team on Sept. 1 -- suggests that the organization promoted Ross to the active roster to take Sams' spot and signed Bryant to the practice squad to fill Ross'.

Finally, the absence of Lewis and Rolle presented the defense with a different look. Corey Ivy lined up opposite starting cornerback Chris McAlister, while Dennis Haley joined Terrell Suggs, Bart Scott and Jarret Johnson as the first-team linebackers.