Ravens get a taste of playing without Lewis in backfield

Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 | 9:40 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

The Baltimore Ravens learned Thursday what it's like to run their offense without Jamal Lewis.

It was only a practice session, and the team was certain that Lewis would be back in pads today and in the backfield Sunday night against the Washington Redskins.

But it probably won't be long before the Ravens are forced to play without their most potent offensive player.

Lewis spent Thursday in court in Atlanta, where he pleaded guilty to using a cell phone to facilitate a drug transaction. So his teammates began preparing for the Redskins without him.

"Obviously, Jamal is going to be a little bit behind with our base package," offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh said. "But he's a smart kid. He'll be back, he'll get the playbook, he'll get the film to watch from practice today, and he'll get caught up pretty quick. I'm not that worried about it."

Lewis, who ran for 2,066 yards a year ago, probably won't begin serving his prison sentence until the offseason. But he will almost certainly receive a suspension of at least two games.

In other news, nickelback Deion Sanders expressed optimism that his strained left hamstring would heal enough to enable him to return from a two-week absence to face the Redskins, the last team he played for before abruptly retiring before the start of training camp in 2001.

"If he can't go full speed and it doesn't look good, then obviously, he won't go during the game," Shanahan said.

Griffin's injury could open up more playing time for Reuben Droughns, a fifth-year veteran who was brought to the Broncos as a blocking fullback but has gotten more chances to run of late.