Ray Rice likely out two weeks with hip injury; Pierce to start

Ray Rice is likely to miss two weeks for the Baltimore Ravens because of a hip injury, meaning Bernard Pierce will start on Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Rice went down with a non-contact hip injury during the fourth quarter of the Ravens’ 14-6 win over the Cleveland Browns last weekend. He did not carry the ball after the injury.

Rice did not practice during the week, and coach John Harbaugh initially said the back was a game-time decision for Sunday’s game against Houston. But Rice was listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report, indicating he had around a 25 percent chance of playing.

Baltimore Sun Ravens reporter Aaron Wilson reported on Saturday that Rice’s injury is regarded as a two-week injury if the Ravens play it safely. He also said Pierce will start.

Pierce doesn’t have the same playmaking ability as Rice, but he is still a solid back. I picked the Ravens to win the game despite Rice’s injury.