The perspectives on Chris McAlister's tender ankle were predictable. The cornerback remained optimistic that he might be well enough to play tomorrow against the Bengals at Ravens Stadium, and coach Brian Billick was just as pessimistic that McAlister would miss a game for the first time in his four-year career.

McAlister turned an ankle on an ill-advised punt return in last week's loss to the Falcons at the Georgia Dome. He was questionable on the injury report as the week began, was downgraded on Thursday, and upgraded to questionable again yesterday. He and tight end John Jones (knee) were held out of yesterday's practice.

"I moved around in practice pretty good yesterday [Thursday], who knows," McAlister said. "I'm not 100 percent, but I'm feeling good. I feel great now compared to Monday, when I needed a crutch. I can move, I can jog, there's a big difference. Every day has gotten better. I'll be in all day [today] getting treatment. I could wake up [tomorrow] with it feeling just where it needs to be."

Asked about the chances of McAlister playing, Billick said, "Based on what I saw today, I don't think it's going to happen."

Bigger load

McAlister's status means another increase in the workload for Lamont Brightful, the sixth-round draft choice who will return both kickoffs and punts tomorrow.

Brightful was inactive in the Ravens' first four games, got three kickoff returns in the loss at Indianapolis and won that job two weeks later, when Robert Tate fumbled twice against Pittsburgh. In the past two games, Brightful returned eight kickoffs. He's fielded two punts, but sounds ready for double duty after a full week of preparation with both return units.

"It was tough, coming from being a four-year starter in college, having to keep being prepared," Brightful said of a slow September. "If you get the call and you're not prepared, it's a good way to get yourself out of here. What's made preparation for this game easier is that I've been able to get the rhythm down in practice, which is hard when you don't get first rep during practice. When you know the scheme but you don't know the rhythm, that's hard."

Weaver, Hunter with Irish

While many of the Ravens attended last night's Wizards-Lakers game at MCI Center, defensive end Tony Weaver and wide receiver Javin Hunter planned to spend time with their former team, Notre Dame, as it prepared to face Navy today at Ravens Stadium. Weaver was a four-year starter in South Bend, Ind.

"I died with those guys last week," Weaver said of Notre Dame's first loss, to Boston College. "Javin and I are going to watch the game from the bench. I'm sure I'm going to want to put on that gold helmet and go out there and play. All the guys on the team, I played with, trained with, bled with. It's going to be a weird perspective for me."