It appears that the unscheduled "bye week" caused by Hurricane Ike has benefited the Ravens in terms of injuries.

Cornerbacks Fabian Washington (neck) and Derrick Martin (right shoulder), wide receivers Demetrius Williams (hamstring) and Yamon Figurs (hamstring) and linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo (right ankle) were present during practice this afternoon.

Washington, who said he is dealing with a bulging disc in his neck, took part in a few individual drills, and Ayanbadejo went into the locker room after participating in some special teams exercises, but Martin, Williams and Figurs appeared to practice with little difficulty.

The only players absent from the portion of practice open to the media were defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (arthroscopic left knee surgery) and quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection). Smith walked out onto the practice field and watched from the sidelines before also returning to the locker room.

Other notes:

• Cornerbacks Chris McAlister (swollen right knee) and Corey Ivy (sprained right ankle), fullbacks Le'Ron McClain (ankle) and Lorenzo Neal (hamstring), free safety Ed Reed (nerve impingement), defensive end Trevor Pryce (back), running back Willis McGahee (arthroscopic left knee surgery), tight end Todd Heap (back), center Jason Brown (ankle) and left offensive tackle Jared Gaither (ankle) -- players listed as probable for what was supposed to be this past weekend's game against the Houston Texans -- practiced.

• McGahee took up his usual position with the first offense, which also included Adam Terry at right offensive tackle. Willie Anderson lined up with the second unit. McAlister, Samari Rolle and Ivy were the first three cornerbacks on the field for the defense.

• The team re-signed defensive tackle J'Vonne Parker to the practice squad. To make room for Parker, the team released wide receiver Matt Willis.