Pierce's teammate, Ray Rice, has been released by the Ravens.

Pierce was benched Sunday after he fumbled at the Ravens' 20-yard line in the second quarter of the contest, which paved the way for teammate Justin Forsett to record 70 yards on 11 carries and catch five passes for 14 yards. While the team's RB pecking order going forward remains fluid, with Rice no longer in the mix, Pierce presumably will have a chance to atone for his fumble in the coming weeks, though Forsett's solid effort in Week 1 could lead to some form of backfield time-share in Thursday's game against the Steelers.

Pierce carried six times for 14 yards with a fumble in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Bengals.

ESPN.com relays that coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Pierce was benched after he fumbled at the Ravens' 20-yard line in the second quarter of the contest, which paved the way for Justin Forsett to rack up 70 yards on 11 carries and catch fives passes for 14 yards. "We're not too enamored with fumbles," Harbaugh said. "It's not what we're looking for from our running backs." It remains to be seen how the Ravens divide their carries Thursday against the Steelers, but for now, hopes that Pierce might seize a grip on the team's starting assignment in the absence of Ray Rice, have been dashed.

Pierce (concussion) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

By practicing in full throughout the week, Pierce erased any doubt that he'd be available for the Ravens' season opener. With Ray Rice (suspension) set to miss the first two games of the season, Pierce figures to be the team's top option at running back during that time, though both Justin Forsett and rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro could also factor into the Ravens' backfield mix.

Pierce (concussion) is probable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, the Ravens' official website reports.

A full practice participant throughout the week, Pierce is set to make his second career start, despite suffering a minor concussion in the second-to-last preseason game. He's expected to carry most of the workload against Cincinnati, but both Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro figure to be mixed in. Though he has an excellent opportunity while Ray Rice (suspension) is out for the first two games, Pierce will have to kick things off against a Bengals defense that has been stout since 2011. To be fair, the massive talent gap between Cincy's front seven and the Baltimore offensive line does seem to have closed quite a bit since last season.

Pierce (concussion) practiced fully Wednesday, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Pierce, who suffered a concussion in the Ravens' third preseason game, passed a baseline neurological test and thus appears on track to suit up Sunday against the Bengals. With Ray Rice slated to miss the Ravens' first two games due to a suspension, Pierce is slated to start at running back for the team out of the gate, a scenario that provides him with early-season fantasy utility in most formats.

Pierce (concussion) has passed all NFL mandated concussion protocols, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Pierce suffered a concussion during the team's third preseason game and was held out of the last preseason game of the year. After passing these tests though, it appears very likely that Pierce will be ready to go for the Ravens' season opener against the Bengals on Sunday. He figures to be the focal point of Baltimore's rushing attack, at least until veteran Ray Rice returns from suspension in week three.

Pierce (concussion) is practicing Saturday, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Pierce suffered a mild concussion during last Saturday's preseason game against the Redskins, and all reports since have indicated that he'll likely play in the Ravens' opener. With Ray Rice suspended for the first two weeks of the season, Pierce figures to start and get most of the touches in Week 1 against the Bengals and Week 2 against the Steelers. Should he impress, Pierce may have a larger role than previously expected upon Rice's return to the offense.

Pierce (concussion) is not playing in Thursday's preseason finale against the Saints.

Pierce probably wouldn't have played even if he were healthy, as he's expected to start in place of Ray Rice (suspension) in Weeks 1 and 2. Pierce has insisted that he'll be fine for the start of the season, but with even mild concussions somewhat unpredictable, his practice status will be worth keeping an eye on. In the unlikely event that Pierce can't play, the Ravens will turn to journeyman Justin Forsett and rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro.

Pierce, who suffered a mild concussion in Saturday's preseason game, didn't practice Monday, the Baltimore Sun reports.

The report notes that Pierce is "feeling a lot better" as of Monday, though he'll need take and pass a mandatory baseline neurological test in order to be cleared for a return to the field. With that in mind, Pierce probably won't play in Thursday's preseason finale, though the fact that his concussion is being portrayed as mild suggests that he should recover in time to fill in as the Ravens' starting running back while Ray Rice serves a two-game suspension to start the regular season.

Pierce is downplaying the head injury that he sustained in Saturday night's preseason game against Washington, Baltimore Sun reports.

"If anyone was wondering, I'm fine," Pierce relayed Sunday via his official Twitter account. While the report notes that the running back experienced minor concussion symptoms Saturday after absorbing a high tackle, he is expected to be ready for the Ravens' Week 1 contest against the Bengals. Assuming that's the case, Pierce is in line to start at running back for the team out of the gate, with teammate Ray Rice slated to serve a two-game suspension to start the season.

Pierce left Saturday's game to be evaluated for a concussion, and he did not return to the contest, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports.

With Ray Rice suspended for the first two weeks of the regular season, Pierce got the starting nod in Saturday's dress rehearsal. If the injury prevents Pierce from playing in Week 1, the Ravens will likely turn to a combination of Lorenzo Taliaferro and Justin Forsett. However, the opener is still two weeks away, and Pierce has no prior history of concussions in the NFL.

Pierce gained 25 yards on six carries in Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys.

It was a rather ordinary showing for Pierce, who is seemingly locked in as the Week 1 starter, with Ray Rice suspended for the first two games of the season. Speaking of Rice, the veteran running back left Saturday's game with a shoulder injury, though the issue doesn't initially appear to be serious. Pierce could use the first two weeks of the season as a launching pad for an increased role in the offense, after both he and Rice struggled behind a terrible offensive line last season. Baltimore's O-line appears to be much improved, so regardless of how the touches are divided, there should be more fantasy value for the taking than there was last season.

Pierce, who ran for 37 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in Thursday's preseason opener, has been the Ravens' best running back in training camp, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.

Pierce and Rice both saw plenty of work on the first-team offense's only drive Thursday night, but Pierce stayed in with the second team. The former Temple Owl figures to start the first two regular-season games while Rice is suspended, giving him an excellent chance to make his case for an expanded role. As bad as Rice was last season, it's important to remember that Pierce wasn't any more successful. Both backs looked pretty good in Thursday's game, albeit against a 49ers defense that sat most of its key players.

Bernard Pierce revealed that his weight ballooned to 248 pounds following January shoulder surgery.

The good news is Pierce has dropped into the 217-222 range, and recovered fully from the surgery. "I definitely feel lighter and quick," he said Sunday. Pierce just turned 24 in May, and is the favorite to open the season as the Ravens' feature back. He could run away with the job during Ray Rice's two-game ban.

Updating a previous item, Bernard Pierce reported to Ravens training camp at 217 pounds.

Pierce played in the 230 range last season, which he came to regret en route to a plodding 2.86 YPC. His 2012 Combine weigh-in was 6-foot, 218. "I'm very confident in Bernard. I've always liked Bernard," coach John Harbaugh insisted. "He's a heck of a player. He's worked very hard, he's 217 pounds, [and] he's in the best shape of his life. He looked good out here the last couple of days."

Bernard Pierce said he has a "knack" for new OC Gary Kubiak's kind of offense.

Pierce was a disaster last season, slogging through 16 games at a pathetic 2.86 YPC. But he was battling a litany of injuries that included problems with his shoulder, hamstring, knee and toe. Now he's fully healthy, back near his ideal playing weight and Ray Rice is facing a suspension. Pierce's extremely impressive rookie tape has us willing to take a shot on a bounce-back campaign.

Bernard Pierce (shoulder surgery) has been "fully cleared" for training camp.

With Ray Rice expected to draw a multi-game suspension, Pierce's clearance paves the way for him to open the season as the Ravens' early-down back. Listed at 230 pounds, Pierce also said he's down to 223. It can only help after a sluggish 2013. Despite last year's struggles, Pierce's role makes him well worth a mid-round flier in fantasy drafts.

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome indicated he is anticipating a run-based offense under new OC Gary Kubiak.

Kubiak's Texans offenses were most successful when leaning on his zone-run game to set up designed vertical shot plays. "It's very precise," said Newsome of Kubiak's scheme. "It's physical. I think we'll run the ball better, we'll keep the ball more and we'll have big plays." With Ray Rice facing a suspension, Bernard Pierce should get the first crack at Ravens lead-back duties.

The Baltimore Sun considers Bernard Pierce the favorite to open the season as the Ravens' starting tailback, assuming Ray Rice receives a multi-game suspension.

Pierce is expected to start, and work "in tandem" with rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro, likely in addition to Justin Forsett. This is just a prediction, of course. Pierce was limited throughout the spring while recovering from a pretty serious shoulder surgery. We're going to keep close tabs on him in camp.

Bernard Pierce (shoulder surgery) is expected to be a full-go for the beginning of training camp.