Ravens Notebook: Ed Dickson returns to practice

Ravens TE Ed Dickson practiced Wednesday for the first time since hyperextending his knee during Baltimore's win against San Diego more than two weeks ago.

Dickson did not suffer ligament damage and seemed optimistic about his prospects  to play Sunday against Denver.

"It's day-to-day, stuff like that," Dickson said. "I'm living in the treatment center, getting ready. I don't want to be out there at 50 percent. They need a 100 percent me."

Dickson was limited in practice as he eases back into the offensive rotation.

CB Jimmy Smith was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, which is a step up from being limited all of last week. Smith was unavailable for comment during Baltimore's open locker room period.

Smith has missed the past five games and had surgery to repair a sports hernia.

LB Jameel McClain, who injured his neck Sunday, has been ruled out for the Denver game.

Missing from Wednesday's practice were LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), DE Arthur Jones (shoulder), FB Vonta Leach (ankle), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), S Bernard Pollard (chest) and RG Marshal Yanda (ankle).

Joining Dickson as a limited paticipant were RB Ray Rice (knee), RB Bernard Pierce (back) and OLB Terrell Suggs (biceps).

Full participants were Smith, WR Jacoby Jones (ankle), S Ed Reed (shoulder), WR Deonte Thompson (thigh) and WR LaQuan Williams (thigh).

Peyton or Peterson? Broncos QB Peyton Manning and Vikings RB Adrian Peterson are the clear choices for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award.

Rice was asked to weigh in on who he'd pick for the award.

"Don't hold it against me Adrian Peterson, but I have to say Peyton Manning," Rice said.

Although Rice said he's never seen someone come back from an ACL tear as fast as Peterson did, his reasoning is due to the fact that Manning had a neck injury that potentially risked his career.

"No matter what it was, the guy had surgery, lost all his strength in his arm, had to gain it back, " Rice said. "He had to even get comfortable back there taking a snap. To see him come back and lighting it up the way he is, (Manning gets) my vote in the Comeback Player of the Year."

Roster move: With CB Asa Jackson suspended four games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy, the Ravens moved S Omar Brown from the practice squad to the active roster. Filling the vacant spot on the practice squad is DE D.J. Bryant, a rookie out of James Madison, who's had stints with the Texans (preseason), Jets (practice squad) and Buccaneers (practice squad) this season.