Oakland LB Aaron Curry will see action for the first time this season when the Raiders play the Ravens this Sunday in Baltimore. (US Presswire)

Raiders linebacker Aaron Curry will make his 2012 debut Sunday at Baltimore, Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday. Curry was added to the 53-man roster on Tuesday after more than three months on PUP as he recovered from injuries to both knees.

The Raiders waited until the final day in their 21-day window before activating Curry. Their other options were to place him on injured reserve or waive him.

"I think at the end of the day it had to do with getting another experienced linebacker that can help us and potentially even spell some guys so everybody doesn't have to play quite so many plays," Allen said. "I think as many good players as you can have, as many experienced players as you can have, the better off you're going to be."

Allen said he expects Curry to get some defensive snaps off the bench and also see some time on special teams against the Ravens.

"I feel great and ready to play," Curry said. "I just want to be a bottle of energy and passion. That's what football is about. Playing defense is about energy, and it's about bringing passion to the game. It's about bringing passion to the team."

Home sweet home: Getting back on track at Baltimore won't be easy for the Raiders. The Ravens have won 14 straight home games, the NFL's longest active streak. They've won 19 of their past 20 home games and are 31-5 at home under coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens are 92-39-1 at home all-time.

"There is probably a confidence level with that because we've had some positive experiences," Harbaugh said during a conference call with Bay Area reporters. "There's been a lot of big games and tough games in that, that just kind of set that tone a little bit. But every game stands on its own two feet. Every game is a new challenge.

"We just feel like we have a lot of respect for what coach Allen's doing there. ... The Raiders have a lot of good young players and veteran players. They've played real well this year, home and on the road and you just try and focus on that. That's really what's important, and that other stuff is just kind of history."

Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer, who spent most of his career with Cincinnati, knows how hard it is to win on the road against Baltimore, his former AFC North rival.

"Their crowd is phenomenal," Palmer said. "They make it a hostile environment to come in and try to communicate and play. You have to play great. You can't play OK and win. You have to put together four quarters and put together a complete game if you want to get out of there with a win."

Barnes back to work: Starting right tackle Khalif Barnes practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering a groin injury in Week 2 against Miami and undergoing surgery.

"Rusty, but improved," Allen said of Barnes. "I'm optimistic, but I'll know more at the end of the week whether he'll have a chance at this game or not."

Barnes has started 80 games in his NFL career, including the Raiders' first two this year. Willie Smith, in his second season, has filled in the past six games but has struggled.

Bartell nearing return: Starting cornerback Ron Bartell (broken shoulder blade) is eligible to come off of short-term injured reserve Sunday against Baltimore, and Allen sounded as if that's a possibility.

"I feel real good about where Ron Bartell is," Allen said. "Actually, we can't make any type of move on him until Saturday. We'll evaluate him throughout the week."

Bartell returned to practice last week. He said his shoulder blade feels fine and that he's worked his way back into good shape.

"My shoulder doesn't bother me anymore, so I feel good," Bartell. "Just rounding back into form. Got myself in some pretty good shape, getting my timing back. It just feels good to be on the field. I'm pretty confident right now."

Injury report: CB Shawntae Spencer (foot) and DT Richard Seymour (knee/hamstring) missed practice, along with RBs Darren McFadden (ankle) and Mike Goodson.

Spencer has missed the past six games. He tested his sprained right ankle on the field Tuesday for the first time. "He moved around a little bit better," Allen said. "He's still not ready yet. But we're making progress. Hopefully the progress will speed up in the next few days."

Seymour has battled a sore knee all season, and he suffered a hamstring injury Sunday against Tampa Bay.

"Didn't really know the extent of it, after the game, but after getting some treatment Monday and Tuesday, we felt like holding him out of practice today," Allen said. "He'll be another guy we'll have to see where he's able to be at the end of the week."

Safety Matt Giordano (hamstring) was limited in practice. So were Barnes, TE Brandon Myers (shoulder) and K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin).

Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.