Washington could play in Thursday's ESPN game

Local fans hoping to get a glimpse of hometown hero Fabian Washington in the Baltimore Ravens pre-season opener this Thursday night on ESPN may have to wait until kickoff to see if he is going to play.

The former Bayshore High standout is coming off ACL knee surgery and Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh doesn’t want to risk anything with his starting cornerback though he has looked impressive during camp and has made what appears to be a speedy recovery.

Washington started 10 games last season before being shelved with his injury. He wasn’t expected to play again until close to the regular season opener. But he has been practicing well and showing the speed and agility that made him first round pick out of Nebraska in 2005.

Harbaugh said the 27 year-old Washington could play, but he is not sure whether he wants to risk injury in the game against the Carolina Panthers. Kickoff is for 8 p.m.

“He’s ready to go. It’s just a matter of whether we want him to go. I think we’ll take him out during pregame and see how much work we get done, and we’ll just decide. But, we’re not going to push it, I can tell you that,” Harbaugh said in his Tuesday press conference.

Naturally Washington said he wants to play, but will go along with whatever Harbaugh decides. He has been practicing with the first team defense the last three days. The Ravens have really been banged up in the secondary.