With Fabian Washington landing on Injured Reserve (torn ACL) this week, the Ravens have an open spot in the starting lineup.
 
Head coach John Harbaugh has not yet named the player who will take the position opposite Domonique Foxworth, and the Ravens have several options in Chris Carr, Frank Walker and rookie Lardarius Webb.
 
Webb, a third-round draft pick, filled in when Washington went down last Sunday in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts.   Carr was upgraded to the first unit on the team’s official depth chart.  And Walker was the starter in last year’s AFC Championship.
 
On the year, Webb owns 14 tackles, 11 special teams stops, one sack and one pass deflection.
 
“He’s got cornerback skills, but I like some other things,” said Harbaugh of Webb.  “I like some intangible things about him.  He’s a competitive guy.  He’s got a lot to learn.  Chuck [Pagano, secondary coach] does a great job with him every single day.  He’s obviously a student of the game.
 
“I think he’s more advanced than most rookie corners, most rookie players.  He’s very professional for this stage of his career.  He’s a bright guy.  Then you see the physical stuff, obviously.”
 
Webb said he was uncertain of his role, but would prepare as if he is starting in the days leading up to this weekend’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 
“Each week, I learn from the guys in front of me, and they help me prepare for these days,” Webb explained.  “I haven’t been reported as the starter.  We have more corners, and we have to compete each week.  We’ll see who comes out on top, but we have a lot of work to put in.
 
“I’m going to give 110 percent each play.  I’m going to learn from Ed [Reed] and even Fabian Washington.  He’s out, but he can help me on the small things, like studying film and how to play these boys.  They played them three times last year and lost all three, so there are some things they can teach me.  I’m here with open ears.”
 
Carr and Walker were equally vague.
 
“I’ve shown in the past that I can play well at corner when I’ve gotten my opportunities to start,” Carr said.   “I’m confident that I can go in there and play well. I just want to go out there and compete. If I’m out there, that’s great. If not, I’ll be out there doing something else.”
 
“You always have to prepare like you’re going to be a starter,” said Walker.
 
The Ravens also brought in former Tennessee Titans practice squadder Cary Williams to help bolster their depth, but Williams is only expected to play special teams in the Steelers matchup.
 
“Obviously, it’s not as good as it was because we lost Fabian,” Harbaugh said about the status of Baltimore’s cornerbacks.  “We felt like we had five guys that we liked.  Now we have four, and we brought one in.  We like him as a developmental guy, and we’ll see how fast he can develop into that mix.  We need him to.
 
“You’re always building that part of the roster.”

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