Tavares Gooden takes his turn with the starters

WESTMINSTER, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Tavares Gooden worked with the first-team defense Tuesday at inside linebacker next to All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis.

He was out of the red jersey he wore Monday that signified he was off-limits to contact due to neck and back soreness.

Gooden and Dannell Ellerbe are competing with Jameel McClain, who started the preseason opener against the Washington Redskins.

Is Gooden going to start Saturday night against the Washington Redskins?

"It's not up to me, that's for the coaches to decide," Gooden said. "I'm good with [that]. Why not play all of us? You don't want to just burn out one guy.

"It helps out our team depth that all of us can play, and I'm talking about play well when we're in there. We're going to ball out. Everybody is just holding up our own."

Gooden made the point that all of the linebackers will complement Lewis, and he complimented general manager Ozzie Newsome for assembling the group.

"Everybody knows this is Ray's defense, and we're all pieces to the puzzle," Gooden said. "He's the master plan, and all of us fit around him to do that. Mr. Newsome does a great job. We've probably got the realest linebacker corps in the NFL."

The only topic Gooden was unwilling to discuss in detail was his health status.

"All the injury things, coach Harbaugh would like to address," Gooden said. "It was his decision to give me a red jersey. He wants to answer every question about injuries.

"I can't answer questions technically about injuries. You've got to talk to the man. You saw me practicing. I practiced both days. That's all I can tell you about the injury situation."

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