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According to Ravens.com staff writer Adam H. Beasley, if Frank Sanders has to spend Sunday on the sidelines, the rest of the Ravens’ receiving corps may not be in the same place twice all afternoon.

With Sanders still listed as doubtful with separated toes, the Ravens may suit up just three wide receivers when the season opens against Pittsburgh Sunday.

Veterans Travis Taylor and Marcus Robinson would start at wide receiver if Sanders cannot play Sunday, while second-year pro Ron Johnson will work off the bench.

"We definitely can’t afford anybody to get hurt right now," Taylor said. "We’ve got to know every position, in case something happens to one of us, but we’re definitely ready."

To the casual observer, it may appear the Ravens’ passing game is in a dire situation. But no other team has tight end Todd Heap on its side.

In his first year as a starter last year, Heap earned a Pro Bowl berth by catching a team-best 68 passes for six touchdowns. His best statistical game of the season came against the Steelers, tallying 146 receiving yards and a touchdown in the last game of the year.

Heap is dangerous because he fits no true mold. He’s strong enough to line up at the end and block, but fast enough to split out wide and stretch the field.

The Ravens will use Heap in the slot in some three and four-wide formations, in an attempt to confuse the defense and give the Ravens a favorable matchup.

"We did a lot of different formations, changed things up a lot," Heap said of the team's loss to Pittsburgh last December. "We tried to find some things that we could do to them, as far as mismatches and get them out of position. Other than that, it wasn’t too special. It was just, 'get open and make plays.' Hopefully, we do more of that this year."

Heap should face fewer double-coverages than he did last year, thanks in large part to the presence of Robinson.

"We have a lot of confidence in Marcus Robinson," said receivers coach David Shaw. "Right now, with Frank’s status, hopefully he can play, but we still feel comfortable with Marcus sliding into that position."

For the record. ... Sanders practiced Wednesday and remains optimistic about starting this weekend. However, he is listed as doubtful and has had trouble cutting. The general consensus at this point says his playing time is almost certain to be limited if he goes at all. ...

And finally. ... Jamal Lewis averaged 6.1 yards on 14 carries in the regular-season finale in Pittsburgh, and the 86 yards he gained were the second-highest rushing total against the Steelers in 2002.