Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the NFL's system for fining players has flaws, but recognized the good intention behind it.

Harbaugh's statement came a day after S Ed Reed was fined $55,000 for a hit near the head and neck on WR Giants Victor Cruz during Baltimore's 33-14 win over the Giants last Sunday.

"The system is not perfect, although the motivation is correct and the idea is right," Harbaugh said. "It's still a work in progress. I know our guys are doing everything they can, and I'm proud of our guys to try to play within the rules and respect player safety. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but they are doing their best."

Replay showed that Reed's shoulder first connected with the upper part of Cruz's chest before making contact with his facemask. The play drew a 15-yard penalty.

This is the third time this season that Reed has been fined for a hit near the head or neck. The first was a $21,000 fine after connecting with Patriots WR Deion Branch's helmet in Week 3. The second was a $50,000 fine for hitting Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders high. The Sanders hit initially drew a one-game suspension, though that was reduced to a fine after appeal.

Before receiving the news he had been fined, Reed said he couldn't concern himself with whatever the NFL had in store.

"I just play the game," Reed said. "I'll let them make those decisions."

Ravens could rest players Sunday: Harbaugh wouldn't tip his hat either way as to whether the Ravens would rest certain key players against the Bengals on Sunday.

At minimum with a win or loss, the Ravens will earn the No. 4 seed in the NFL playoffs, with the chance of moving up to the No. 3 spot with a Baltimore win and a New England loss.

"We have thoughts on it," Harbaugh said. "We have a plan going in, and it can change. It can be altered by circumstances, certainly."

Part of the decision could come down to various players' injuries. DT Haloti Ngata (knee) and RG Marshal Yanda (shoulder/knee/ankle) did not practice at all this week and could potentially receive a day off on Sunday.

"We have a number of guys who are banged up, and some of those guys will play and some of those guys won't," Harbaugh said. "We will go in there to win the game. We will have 46 guys active and it will be the best 46 guys that are available to us."

Long journey for S Brown: S Omar Brown thought he had done enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster during training camp. Then he was released, eventually winding up on the practice squad.

Brown finally caught a break two weeks ago when he was activated to the 53-man roster. Last Sunday against the Giants, Brown recorded his first career NFL sack on a safety blitz.

Brown said he learned a lot from the journey he's been on this season, and he realizes how cutthroat yet fulfilling the NFL can be.

"Emotions were up and down, not knowing the business at the time," Brown said. "I kept my head up and kept working. I knew something was going to happen."

Playing through pain: Harbaugh said that it's been tough on CB Jimmy Smith to recover from a sports hernia that required surgery over a month ago.

Since returning to game action, Smith hasn't been able to play too effectively on defense. However, the only way for Smith to improve is to play through the pain.

"The nature of that injury is, you are really supposed to push yourself through it," Harbaugh said. "There's scar tissue that needs to be broken up and there's strength that needs to be recovered. The only way to do it is to push yourself hard and it's really painful."

Smith saw time as Baltimore's third corner against Denver two weeks ago but only played 12 snaps. He didn't play any defensive snaps against the Giants. It's unknown how much he'll play on defense against the Bengals, but it could be sparingly at best with how well CB Chykie Brown played last week.

"(Smith) made progress this week and I anticipate him playing," Harbaugh said. "That will be a play by ear. We'll see how he does during the game, how he plays and how he looks. He's a guy that's really important to us going forward. He's really motivated to play and play well. We need his services in the playoffs."

Injury report: Ngata (knee), Yanda (shoulder/knee/ankle), WR Anquan Boldin (shoulder), WR Tandon Doss (ankle), DE Arthur Jones (thigh), FB Vonta Leach (ankle) and LB Albert McClellan (shoulder/thigh) are questionable for Sunday.

Smith (sports hernia), LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), WR Jacoby Jones (ankle), LB Ray Lewis (triceps), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), TE Dennis Pitta (knee), S Bernard Pollard (chest), S Ed Reed (shoulder), OLB Terrell Suggs (biceps) are probable.

Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter: @CBSRavens and @JasonButtCBS.