Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton will play in Sunday’s critical AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Eight days after suffering a right ankle injury in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the All-Pro and versatile third-year defender practiced for a second straight day in Owings Mills and declared himself ready to go. Coach John Harbaugh also said he was optimistic that Hamilton would play.

“It was big for me to go out and at least do a full practice before the game,” Hamilton said Friday. “I’ll be out there.”

He added that he was initially scared the injury was more serious when went down late in the second quarter of Baltimore’s game against the Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium, thinking it was perhaps a torn Achilles tendon.

It turned out to only be a sprain, and he said the long weekend of rest helped.

Cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf), however, won’t be available. The 31-year-old veteran was in a walking boot after Thursday’s practice and was ruled out Friday.

It’s been a rough season for the former Steeler, who only recently returned from a hamstring injury, which was preceded by a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve to start the season.

With Maulet sidelined, that should mean a slight uptick in snaps for defensive back Ar’Darius Washington, who can play both safety and nickel back. It could also result in utilizing cornerback Marlon Humphrey more inside with rookie Nate Wiggins and Brandon Stephens on the outside.

Hamilton’s return, though, is a boost for a pass defense that is the worst in the NFL with Baltimore allowing a league high 294.9 passing yards per game along with 7.9 yards per completion, which ranks 29th.

Defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle), who has been one of the league’s best interior defenders this season, is questionable after being limited Thursday and Friday. Otherwise, the Ravens (7-3)SW are largely healthy with Maulet the only absence Friday two days ahead of the their first game against the Steelers (7-2) this season with first place in the division on the line.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will be without edge rusher Alex Highsmith (ankle) and cornerback C.J. Henderson (neck). Reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee/rest) was also listed as doubtful after not practicing all week.

Highsmith is third on the team in sacks with three and has 24 total pressures this season, per Pro Football Focus. Last season, he had a crucial strip-sack of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to help seal the Steelers’ 17-10 victory in Pittsburgh.

Running back Jaylen Warren (back) was a limited participant, however, after not practicing Thursday. The third-year back is second behind Najee Harris on the depth chart and has rushed for 217 yards on 55 carries and has 14 catches for 96 yards this season. He recorded 66 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards in Sunday’s win against the Washington Commanders, both season highs, but also lost a fumble at the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter.

Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1.