Pool questionable for opener

Brodney Pool got on the practice field for a second straight day, but it may not be enough for the safety to play in the season opener against the Ravens on "Monday Night Football."

Pool continues to nurse an ankle injury and is getting healthier. However, he didn't participate in any of the team drills during the 30-minute window we get to watch, likely meaning he's limited. 

Before practice, Ryan wasn't sure Pool's ankle is sufficient enough for him to get out there and be 100 percent in two more days. That's why he'll be listed as questionable on the official injury report.

"This kid, an ankle injury that he's had would really take more than [it has to heal]," Ryan said. "But he's been a quick healer. It's just he's almost at that point where it's, do we push him through it, and it becomes a long, more of a nagging injury? Or do you give him time off and he gets to 100 percent? And I think that's what we are weighing right now.

"Brodney wants to play, so we're still looking at that."

Sounds, though, like Pool will be on the sidelines barring some kind of really quick healing on his part. That means Eric Smith would step into Pool's starting role, something Ryan made sure to note earlier in the week wouldn't create a huge drop off.

"The next man just steps up and we’ll have at it," Ryan said. "We have a lot of depth in the back end, so we’re very fortunate. We can plug some guys in."