Credit: AP/Patrick Semansky
Credit: AP/Patrick Semansky

Among the number of injuries the Baltimore Ravens suffered in this afternoon’s 14-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the injury to running back Ray Rice may not be as serious as it once looked.

Rice sustained a hip injury in the 4th quarter in a non-contact situation as he made a cut upfield, making it all the more worrisome for the crowd at M&T Bank Stadium and the Ravens coaching staff.

After the game, head coach John Harbaugh announced the injury as a hip flexor “strain” and told members of the media Rice was not scheduled for an MRI but that the team will evaluate his status overnight.

The running game got the offense going in the 2nd half after an underperforming 1st half, so the hope is Rice will not be lost long, if at all.

Bernard Pierce finished the afternoon with 57 yards on 19 carries and a short-yardage touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Immediately after the injury, the Ravens offense rolled along, using Pierce effectively, Flacco was able to find Marlon Brown for a big first down of 18 yards and then again to Brown for a 5-yard touchdown.

For an offense that put up just 122 yards in the 1st half, they can ill afford to lose the dynamic Rice, even with the competent Pierce as the backup. Rice gives Joe Flacco an extra weapon out of the backfield on check downs, becoming important with continued drops and inconsistencies from Ed Dickson, Dallas Clark and others.