The Ravens could make a move for New York Jets' inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma during the offseason. Ray Lewis has one year remaining on his contract after this season. It will pay him nearly $6.5 million in base salary in 2008 and will count in excess of $9 million against the salary cap. Lewis has lobbied for years for an extension, but the Ravens might want to trade for Vilma who was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a knee injury. Like Lewis, he is from the University of Miami. Like Lewis, his strength is running and making tackles sideline to sideline. With Vilma, the Ravens could stay in a 4-3 defense.

A ceremonial groundbreaking Oct. 10 was a first step toward an expansion that will give Franklin Square Hospital 52 percent more patient beds by 2010. Now capable of serving 241 in-patients, the hospital will grow to 366 beds. At the groundbreaking ceremony, the fundraising chairman, attorney Robert Romadka, of Essex, said that $4 million has already been pledged by donors. That includes a $1 million pledge toward the pediatric unit from Ravens' player Todd Heap.

Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis has an injured knee and is one of several key players who could miss Sunday's game against Buffalo. Lewis will be a game-time decision, coach Brian Billick said Friday. Center Mike Flynn (knee) is listed as questionable. Tight end Todd Heap (hamstring), cornerback Chris McAlister (knee) and tight end Daniel Wilcox (foot) didn't practice all week and are expected to be out Sunday.

Ravens' starting cornerback Chris McAlister says the team has told him he will be sidelined three weeks due to a knee strain. McAlister says he's been bothered by the knee for weeks but played though the injury. McAlister is still hoping to return after the bye week in time for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 5th. McAlister's injury was revealed Monday when the team announced he was day-to-day.

Steve McNair was tired of trying to play in pain. Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick ran out of patience waiting for the quarterback to heal. So the two agreed: McNair sits out two straight games, then steps back into the starter's role. Kyle Boller will start at quarterback for a second straight week this Sunday in Buffalo, Baltimore's final game before a much-needed bye. McNair could play, but the Ravens would prefer he rest his lingering groin injury and sore back. The objective is to get McNair three straight weeks off before the Ravens resume play on Nov. 5 in Pittsburgh, which leads the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair missed his second consecutive day of practice Friday with a stiff back, and the team will make a decision at game time Sunday about whether he will play against the St. Louis Rams. Backup quarterback Kyle Boller took all the repetitions again Friday with the first-team offense. McNair missed the second game of the season with a groin pull that has hampered him since the season opener in Cincinnati. "It's just tightened up," Ravens coach Brian Billick said of McNair's back. "I'm not sure the groin didn't lead to some tightness in the back. We'll have to see how he feels at the end of the day today, Saturday and Sunday - game-time decision."

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair missed his second consecutive day of practice Friday with a stiff back, and the team will make a decision at game time Sunday whether he will play against the St. Louis Rams. Backup quarterback Kyle Boller took all the snaps again Friday with the first-team offense. McNair missed the second game of the season with a groin pull that has hampered him since the season opener in Cincinnati. "It's just tightened up," Ravens coach Brian Billick said of McNair's back. "I'm not sure the groin didn't lead to some tightness in the back. We'll have to see how he feels at the end of the day today, Saturday and Sunday -- game-time decision."

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle practiced in full gear Wednesday and expects to return to the starting lineup Sunday after a three-game absence. Rolle was sidelined since Sept. 20 with an illness that required a brief hospital stay. He declined to discuss specifics of his condition, but said it was an ordeal. "To wake up one morning and think you're going to work and end up in the hospital, it's scary," Rolle said. "The medication put me back a whole week because I didn't feel good and it made me feel worse." The former Pro Bowler wasn't ready to reclaim his starting role in Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams, but he intends to play if his condition does not worsen.