Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged publicly for the first time that quarterback Joe Flacco played despite a painful bruised right hip and quad in the latter stages of the regular season and postseason.

Previously, both Flacco and Harbaugh had dismissed questions about the injury, saying that it was not serious. And Flacco did not miss a game this season.

But after appearing to be hobbled during pre-game warmups against the New England Patriots in the AFC wild-card game, Flacco was not listed on the team's injury report in the week leading up to the divisional playoff showdown with the Indianapolis Colts because Harbaugh had said that the quarterback no longer required treatment for the injury.

On Tuesday, while denying an ESPN report that Flacco was forced to stand during the entire six-hour flight to Oakland for the regular-season finale against the Raiders, Harbaugh said Flacco played hurt.

"He had a bad contusion on his thigh, on the outside of his thigh and hip area there, and it swelled up," Harbaugh said. "And I think it was restrictive for him. If any of you guys have had that kind of a serious bruise, you know how much that hurts. ... And then you get on a flight and that's when the swelling starts to happen a bit. So, I think Joe showed some real toughness throughout the last five or six weeks, playing through that."

Flacco set a franchise record with a 63.1 completion percentage and posted career highs in passing yards (3,613) and touchdowns (21) during the regular season. Harbaugh said Flacco's development is continuing.

"Joe got better in so many ways, and there's so many ways he can get better, and there's so many ways we can help him be better -- from a coaching standpoint, from a personnel standpoint and from a developmental standpoint," Harbaugh said. "So, we're going to go to work on March 15. Joe's going to come back here, and he's going to work on getting stronger, quicker, more explosive. Fundamentally, he's going to work on throwing to receivers every single day to develop the kind of chemistry you want to have with those guys, and he's going to continue to grow. Second year to third year, I expect him to make more progress, and I would say that he's on schedule."

In defense of Lewis

In the aftermath of the 20-3 loss to the Colts, Harbaugh defended middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness when he launched himself into Austin Collie and forced the rookie wide receiver to drop a pass in the end zone.

Although Lewis was cited for what referee Carl Cheffers called "a blow to a defenseless receiver," Harbaugh said again that he saw it differently.

"The receiver caught the ball, was going to protect himself, and dropped his head to a certain level that was below his shoulder-pad level after Ray had committed to the tackle," Harbaugh said. "At that point in time, you're committed to the tackle. You're not going to stop. You can't stop in mid-air. It's not humanly possible. So, when he went in to make that play, he was definitely in the strike zone. The player ducked and got hit in the head. That's how I saw it."

Gaither plans to return

Ravens left tackle Jared Gaither, whose three-year rookie contract expires at season's end, is a restricted free agent, but he's confident he'll return to Baltimore next season.

"I'm not worried about the situation," Gaither said as he was cleaning out his locker. "I'm on this ballclub, and I'm pretty sure I'll be here. I'm just looking forward to a couple more years of playing with the ballclub."

Gaither said his focus in the offseason will be to get stronger, perhaps helping him avoid some of the injuries that plagued him this season. Gaither missed several games with a neck injury and was bothered by foot and ankle injuries late in the year.

"Definitely, my main focus is to get stronger and cut out some of the injuries for next season," Gaither said. "It was definitely tough mentally and physically [to battle injuries]. I just want to make sure I'm prepared week in and week out and make sure I'm ready."

While there is speculation the Ravens might eventually move right tackle Michael Oher to left tackle and move Gaither to the right side, Gaither was not overly concerned.

"I feel great about the situation, but that's ultimately up to the people upstairs," Gaither said. "I would love to be here with Mike for the rest of our careers. That would be great."

Trade winds?

Ravens backup quarterback Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State, said he appreciates the opportunity the team has given him the past three seasons but he and his agent are eager to see whether there is an opportunity for him to compete for a starting position.

"For the most part, my time here has been a tremendous time," Smith said. "I'm not saying it's over. I love the situation here. I love the people here."

Smith said his agent, Ralph Cindrich, was behind a late-season request that the Ravens explore a trade for the quarterback and that he had nothing to do with it.

"That was my agent. That wasn't me. But if he's going to put our situation in a predicament like that, I've got to ride with him," Smith said. "I hired him as an agent, and I've got to trust his judgment. You want to play and be on the field, but my learning experience with the guys here is tremendous. I cherish it. I want to keep it going."

It seems clear Smith was trying to be diplomatic about his desire to play more, to remain a team player, but also making it clear he wants an opportunity.

"That goes without being said," Smith said, when asked if he felt he could start. "I think every guy in the locker room wants his chance to do what he is born to do, destined to do. But things take their course, and you have to be able to take it in stride. It will happen when it's supposed to."

Does he see it happening in Baltimore?

"Possibly," Smith said. "Guys like John Beck and Joe Flacco have helped mold me into the guy that I am now. Without those guys I wouldn't be able to speak to you about this. Our quarterback core is tremendous. I value that, too."

More than No. 3?

Kelley Washington rescued his NFL career as a wide receiver this season with a career-high 34 catches for the Ravens, but he believes he could have done more.

Washington said he was perplexed that he didn't play more at receiver for the Ravens this season. Asked about his limited playing time as the third-down receiver, he had this response:

"I looked at it myself as to why I wasn't on the field more often. I don't feel it's my position to [ask the coaches]. That's what they get paid to do -- put the best players out on the field," Washington said Monday. "Me, personally, if you can catch the ball on third down, you can catch the ball on any down." At 6 feet 3 and 217 pounds, Washington was the biggest of the Ravens' receivers. He gained 12.7 yards a catch but had only two touchdowns. In the postseason, he had one catch for 11 yards and made a tackle after an interception.

"It was tough a lot of times, just knowing you could be out there contributing -- catching the ball and making big plays -- but only coming in on third down," Washington said. "But again, I'm not here to answer those questions. It's up to the coordinators and coaches to do that. It's something I'll look into this offseason in figuring out a place where I can be on the field."

Washington is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the NFL season. A seven-year veteran, he was drafted in the third round in 2003 by the Bengals. After four years in Cincinnati, he signed with the New England Patriots in 2007 and became a special-teams standout over two years before joining the Ravens this season.

Talking to Oakland

Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson has been granted permission to talk to the Oakland Raiders for an unspecified position, according to ESPN. It's uncertain when the Raiders will interview Jackson, who has been the Ravens' quarterbacks coach for Joe Flacco's two seasons in the NFL.

End zone

Surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee went smoothly, according to rookie cornerback Lardarius Webb. A timetable for his return is unclear. "Don't want to rush it," said Webb, who was also the team's primary kick returner. "I want to make sure that when I come back, I can be at full health. So, I'm not going to rush it. I'm going to take my time." ... After posting a career-low 4 1/2 sacks in the regular season, linebacker-defensive end Terrell Suggs has pledged to participate in the team's offseason program. "Since we've been here in the last two years, he did not have an opportunity to be with us in the offseason program," Harbaugh said of Suggs, who signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract last summer. "He's told me that he's going to be here through the full offseason program. I'm sure he will." ... Harbaugh is joining some of his players in throwing their support to the New York Jets, who boast several former Ravens coaches and players. "You look at [head coach] Rex [Ryan]and [defensive coordinator] Mike Pettine, [safety] Jimmy Leonhard, [defensive tackle] Marques Douglas, [linebacker] Bart Scott, those guys are our guys, and we're proud of them and excited for them," Harbaugh said. ... Although the offseason began Monday for the Ravens players, Harbaugh said many of the coaches will work with the scouting department to begin reviewing film of college players. But Harbaugh said he will work in a little vacation. "I can't wait to spend a little more time with [daughter] Alison and [wife] Ingrid," he said. "Alison's got a basketball game tonight at 6:30. Plan to be there and on time for that. Can't wait. That's what we'll be doing, family stuff."

Baltimore Sun reporter Ken Murray contributed to this article.