OWINGS MILLS - Ed Reed has been unusually quiet for the past eight games.

The Baltimore Ravens' All-Pro free safety intercepted Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger twice to launch the season, but hasn't picked off a pass since that game.

According to the official statistics kept by the NFL, Reed hasn't even deflected a pass in the past four games.

Is this a byproduct of quarterbacks avoiding the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year?

"I've been playing ball, being where I'm supposed to be," Reed said. "They haven't been throwing my way. That's the game plan some teams come with. Plays will come. I'm not worried about that. If me not making the play wins the game, that's fine."

A year ago, Reed led the AFC with eight interceptions.

And he has recorded 56 career interceptions, more than anyone in franchise history and more than anyone in the NFL since he entered the league nine years ago.

So, Reed believes he's earned enough props from offensive coordinators that they specifically don't design throws in his general direction.

"It's a good thing, it's a respect thing," Reed said. "It's never too boring. It happens sometimes. You have to be patient and wait for those plays."

Reed forced a fumble against the New York Jets when he sacked quarterback Mark Sanchez, a turnover that linebacker Jameel McClain returned for a touchdown.

He has 33 tackles, one sack, the two interceptions and five pass deflections for the season.

The last time Reed knocked down a pass was on Oct. 16 in a win over the Houston Texans.

"I'm not worried about a lack of numbers," Reed said. "It comes with the territory of trying to be a great player in the league. It's a respect factor. I welcome them throwing the ball to me, but it's not going to happen all the time. My presence is a big thing also."

As a defense, the Ravens haven't had nearly as many big plays lately.

During the opening seven games, they had 25 sacks and 16 turnovers with four touchdowns.

Over the past two games, the Ravens have two sacks and two turnovers with none during their 22-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

"We always emphasize it and our guys do everything they can to create turnovers," coach John Harbaugh said. "You do that through your technique and your responsibility. Sometimes, they come to you and sometimes they don't. You try to create them with hard hits. You try to create them by stripping the ball, especially in the run game but also in the pass game.

"You step in front of throws. Sometimes, they throw them to you. It's very important for us to do that. When you don't, you don't step outside the responsibility of the defense to try to create something that's not there and give up a big play. The priority in the pecking order is to get a stop first. If we can get a turnover as we do that, we definitely want to do that."

R. LEWIS SIDELINED: Ravens All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis didn't practice Wednesday due to a foot injury.

However, it's not expected to sideline him for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Arthur Jones (concussion) and rookie running back Anthony Allen (hamstring) also didn't practice.

Jones was wearing sunglasses in the locker room due to sensitivity to light, a concussion symptom.

Reed (shoulder) and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (knee) are not on the injury report after being listed on it last week as probable.

Meanwhile, veteran wide receiver Lee Evans remains upbeat about his prospects of returning this week from a left ankle injury that has sidelined him for seven games.

"We'll make a determination later in the week," Evans said. "Last week was real positive. So, this week could be even better and I'll have a real shot. You can see how it responds throughout the week.

"I'm optimistic about this week. It has been tough, but you go through different things throughout a season and a career. This is just another obstacle. Hopefully, we're on the tail end of it and we can put it behind us."

Evans said he can run and cut at full speed.

"I was able to do it last week," Evans said. "That shouldn't change any. Last week was real positive."

And the former Buffalo Bills standout said he's staying sharp mentally.

"I'm staying in meetings, staying on top of my game," Evans said. "We'll go out there and I'll know all the terminology."

He doesn't expect to be rusty in terms of catching.

"Catching the ball wouldn't be reinventing the wheel for me," Evans said. "That won't be a problem. It would be a matter of just getting reps and making plays when I get a chance."

If the Ravens could get Evans back to work in tandem with Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, they could suddenly upgrade their receiving corps.

"That's a lot of speed on the field," Evans said. "We have a number of different receivers who can do things, so it's a matter of getting guys in position to make plays and making them. I'm optimistic about this week and hopefully it goes well."

Inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) was limited, too.

Several players didn't practice for Cincinnati, including: cornerback Adam Jones (groin), tight end Donald Lee (foot), running back Brian Leonard (knee), defensive end Frostee Rucker (knee), safety Gibril Wilson (ankle), cornerback Nate Clements (knee), safety Chris Crocker (knee), defensive end Jonathan Fanene (illness) and wide receiver A.J. Green (knee).

The following players were limited for the Bengals: center Kyle Cook (foot), defensive end Carlos Dunlap (hamstring) and wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (hamstring).

WORKING HIS WAY BACK: David Reed definitely won't be returning kickoffs this week against the Bengals after fumbling twice against the Seattle Seahawks.

However, Reed said he's taking a positive attitude toward proving himself all over again.

"I feel good, it's like I'm starting with a new slate," said Reed, who led the NFL with a 29.3 kickoff return average last season as a rookie. "I was at the bottom and now I have to work my way back up to the top. I got to do me."

ROSTER MOVE: Rookie fullback Ryan Mahaffey was signed by the Indianapolis Colts off the Ravens' practice squad.

The Ravens replaced him on the practice squad with former fifth-round tight end Davon Drew.