Baltimore
Ravens

"He's out this week, that's the ruling that we know," Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. "It's got to heal on its own. There is no procedure that can be done. We'll just see how it goes."

Suggs declined to speak to reporters as he limped down the hallway from the locker room to the lunchroom wearing a heavy brace on his knee. When teammate Ray Rice asked Suggs how he was doing, the linebacker just shook his head.

There is a possibility that Suggs could miss between two to three weeks.

"There is no dollar amount on losing someone like (Suggs)," linebacker Ray Lewis said.

Suggs likely will be replaced by rookie second-round pick Paul Kruger, though Kruger has yet to be told by Harbaugh.

"If that's the case, I'm excited to get on the field," Kruger said.

Manning has owned the Ravens this decade like no other quarterback.

In the past six wins -- which spans from 2002 to last season -- he has completed 64 percent of his passes and averaged 246 yards passing, with 11 touchdown passes and three interceptions.

"You know he's going to be pointing and giving his fake messages," Lewis said. "We'll adjust. He'll change. We'll change. It'll go back and forth. That's why you play this game, for challenges like this. Sometimes we'll just smile at each other, like two old soldiers playing a chess match."

Lewis added, "It's intense but it's fun, too. Sometimes he gets us. Sometimes we can make him hesitate."

Besides Suggs, the other injury concern is defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who has missed two games with an ankle injury.

"The ankle feels good," he said. "I was warming up for the game on Monday (against the Cleveland Browns), but just a few little things where I didn't feel entirely good, like changing direction quickly. But that was probably the only thing. Hopefully, we'll get that better this week, and I'll go on Sunday."

Ngata said the decision to deactivate him Monday night was precautionary. "Didn't want to aggravate the injury and make it a long-term deal."

SERIES HISTORY: 9th regular-season meeting. Colts lead series 6-2. The Ravens have lost the past six meetings with the Colts, which includes the past three at home. Indianapolis also beat Baltimore 15-6 in the 2006 playoffs en route to the Colts' Super Bowl title. The last meeting was last season, when the Colts routed the Ravens, 31-3, in Indianapolis. Peyton Manning threw three touchdowns against a Ravens defense that ranked No. 1 against the pass at the time.

"Hopefully, he won't kick a game-winning field goal," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "I might have to go out there and trip him."

--Coach John Harbaugh was asked what the Ravens would do if they faced fourth-and-2 from the team's own 28-yard line with a little more than two minutes left -- the same situation the New England Patriots encountered when they decided to go for it on fourth down.

"I will say this: Obviously, I understand trying to win the game. What you're trying to do as a head coach is everything you can do to try to win a game and give yourself the best chance to win," Harbaugh said. "And sometimes you've got to look past the criticism you're going to take."

--The Ravens' offense has produced just one touchdown in the last two games, which likely won't cut it against the likes of the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We know as an offense that (with) the teams we have coming up ... we've got to help our defense out," Mason said. "We have to score points, we've got to start off fast and end fast. So how we do it ... we've got to figure that one out. We can't allow ourselves to get in a situation where we're only scoring seven points as an offense."

--Defensive end Dwan Edwards was fined $5,000 by the NFL for his hit on Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs at the end of the 16-0 win at Cleveland.

--The Ravens' last win over Indianapolis was 2001, when the Ravens were defending Super Bowl champions.

--The Ravens are 5-0 when leading after three quarters.

--The Ravens are 0-3 when allowing a 100-yard rusher.

--The Ravens have scored 87 points in the fourth quarter, second-most in the NFL.

BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -- Shutouts by the Ravens in this decade, which is the most in the NFL. The Ravens shut out Cleveland, 16-0, on Monday night.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "This is where the season begins. We stumbled a bit in the beginning but these games right here will tell the tale of the season. We're looking forward to it." -- Running back Ray Rice in playing the Colts, Steelers and Packers the next three weeks.

The Ravens worked out Cundiff and Mike Nugent last week. The eight-year veteran has played for three teams during the regular season: Dallas Cowboys (2002-05), New Orleans Saints (2006) and Cleveland Browns (2009).

"You kind of start with that foundation of talent," coach John Harbaugh said. "That kind of means a lot. He's had success, and his career numbers look pretty good. We'll just see how it goes. There's no way to accurately foresee what's going to happen, but he's a veteran kicker who's been in this situation before."

PLAYER NOTES

--LB-DE Terrell Suggs (knee sprain) said he plans to return this season. There is a slim chance that he could come back next week to play the Steelers. Paul Kruger will start in his place.

--LB-DE Paul Kruger will make his first start for the Ravens in place of the injured Terrell Suggs (knee). He started three preseason games.

--RB Matt Lawrence (knee) is out for Sunday's game and could miss several weeks. He is walking on crutches.

--TE Todd Heap (chest) has missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said he expects Heap to play. L.J. Smith could see increased time with Heap hurting.

--DT Haloti Ngata (ankle) seems ready to start for the first time in three games. He has been limited this week in practice, but he has not been limping.

--C Matt Birk was added Thursday to the injury report with a neck injury. He had a full practice and will start.

--QB Joe Flacco is on the injury report for the second time this season. He had a foot issue earlier this season. Flacco has had full practices this week and will start.

--LB-DE Paul Kruger is expected to make his first career start in place of the injured Terrell Suggs (knee).

--TE Todd Heap has 12 receptions for 156 yards and one touchdown in five games against the Colts.

--FS Haruki Nakamura (ankle) was placed on injured reserve.

--FS K.J. Gerard was signed off the practice squad to replace Nakamura on special teams.

GAME PLAN: The Ravens have to get off to a fast start on offense. They haven't scored an offensive touchdown in their past five games. Baltimore can't afford a slow start against Indianapolis.

Defensively, the Ravens need to pressure Peyton Manning. Baltimore's cornerbacks won't be able to cover the Colts wide receivers for an extended period. The Ravens need to hurry Manning.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Ravens secondary vs. Colts QB Peyton Manning. Manning has dominated the Ravens in their past two meetings, with seven touchdown passes on 32 completions. The Ravens have given up 10 passing touchdowns in nine games this season.

Ravens RB Ray Rice vs. Colts run defense. Rice has scored a rushing touchdown in his past four games. He has gained at least 77 yards rushing in three of his past four games. The Colts are tied with the 14th-ranked run defense in the league.

INJURY IMPACT: LB Terrell Suggs (knee) will miss the first game of his career. He will be replaced by Paul Kruger.

DT Haloti Ngata (ankle) is expected to play after missing the first two games of his career.

TE Todd Heap (ribs) is questionable after getting injured in the first half at Cleveland. He would be replaced by L.J. Smith.