Ray Rice expected to start for Ravens, fantasy owners, despite limited practice

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is expected to start on Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rice had dealt with a thigh injury during practice and was limited in all three sessions as a result. However, with the Ravens needing all hands on deck for what is essentially a playoff game versus the Cincinnati Bengals, their veteran running back was never in danger of missing time. He will presumably start once again with Bernard Pierce playing a change of pace role.

Fantasy Spin: Rice will have one more chance to prove he has more left in the tank with an offseason of question marks lying ahead after his most unproductive season to date. But a new injury popping up on the report right before facing one of the league's better run defenses does not do much to instill confidence in his fantasy owners this week.

Rice is averaging a career-low 3.1 yards per carry and has 941 yards from scrimmage, and is on pace to posting his lowest total in that category since being in a committee backfield during his rookie season. Fantasy owners vying for a title in Week 17 should only consider starting Rice in the direst of circumstances.

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