NFL Wire Notes | Lewis hurting but will play for ailing Ravens

BALTIMORE — Whenever the Baltimore Ravens need someone to point the way, they always seem to look to Ray Lewis.

But the Pro Bowl middle linebacker can only do it with one good arm today.

Taping up a strained right triceps muscle, Lewis will lead the banged-up Ravens (0-1) against the New York Jets (0-1) at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Ravens will be without Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden because of a toe injury. They might even have to play without quarterback Steve McNair, who is nursing a groin injury.

In times like these, the Ravens find inspiration in Lewis, who has proved you can play your best even when not at full strength.

"It's amazing how he can pull a whole team with him," defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. "He can play in those situations when 99.9percent of average guys aren't going to play. He's a special guy."

Tody's home opener will be another test of Lewis' leadership and the Ravens' resolve.

Lewis didn't practice all week, and four other starters (Ogden, McNair, safety Ed Reed, cornerback Samari Rolle) missed at least one practice.

In Lewis' estimation, it's time for the Ravens to inflict pain instead of suffering more of it.

"I don't know one person in our organization, as well as our city, that's talking about going 0-2," Lewis said. "The bottom line is the Jets pulled a bad draw."

Notes

• The Green Bay Packers placed WR Carlyle Holiday on injured reserve Saturday because of a knee injury and signed WR Chris Francies from the practice squad.

• Jeremy Bridges, who was supposed to be the starting Panthers G, is due to return in Week 3 to end a two-game suspension after he was arrested for waving a gun at a stripper. Carolina G Ryan Kalil, a rookie from USC, will be looking to impress this week so as to keep the job.

• The Dallas Cowboys' charter flight to Miami made an unscheduled stop for repairs in New Orleans on Saturday. The Boeing 757 landed shortly before 3 p.m. and left about 5:45 p.m., airport spokeswoman Michelle Duffourc said. The Cowboys play the Miami Dolphins today.

S Pierson Prioleau (hamstring) was upgraded from questionable to probable. S Vernon Fox (groin) remains doubtful.

• Six years after Sept. 11, 2001, there is evidence that many rescue and recovery workers could be in danger from lethal or crippling illnesses linked to their time at Ground Zero. Former New York Giants DE George Martin, 54, hopes to raise $10 million for these victims with a cross-country walk, heading from the George Washington Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge. Corporate sponsors signed on, including the NFL. For more information, visit www.ajourneyfor911.net

• In the moments after a serious spinal-cord injury paralyzed Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills below the shoulders, doctors chilled Everett from the inside, infusing cold fluids into his veins. The treatment is experimental, but the surgeon who operated on Everett is convinced. He said the treatment, known as moderate hypothermia or cold therapy, is responsible for Everett's ability to move his arms and legs days later.

"I will hang a good portion of my belief in this recovery on cold therapy," the surgeon, Dr. Andrew Cappuccino, said by phone Friday, "because we don't normally see this recovery in people with spinal-cord injury where cold therapy is absent."

• Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward was fined $5,000 for his late hit on Cleveland DB Daven Holly in the Browns' 34-7 loss Sunday. Holly suffered a mild concussion. Although Holly is probable for today's home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he remains upset about the play.

"I'd say 90 percent of the time when you're in the league that long, I don't feel it was a real respectful shot," Holly said of Ward, a 10-year veteran. "The game was well in hand for them. He kinda hit me with a shot I didn't think was appropriate."

• Browns CB Leigh Bodden said the secondary misses S Brian Russell, now in Seattle.

"Brian Russell was the quarterback of our defense. Brodney Pool and Sean Jones are now," Bodden said. "They're not where Brian Russell was. We just have to work on that."

• St. Louis Rams CB Tye Hill could be sidelined four to six weeks after suffering multiple broken bones in his back during a collision with a teammate during practice.

Coach Scott Linehan said Lenny Walls will start in place of Hill against the San Francisco 49ers today.

RG Richie Incognito (high ankle sprain) was listed as out and Linehan referred to LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (ankle sprain) as doubtful. Linehan said WR Drew Bennett (quadriceps muscle) was listed as probable on the Rams' injury report.

The Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times,

The New York Times, the Baltimore Sun and

McClatchy Newspapers contributed to this report.