The Baltimore Ravens have dealt with numerous injuries on the defensive side of the ball this season and will now have to work through one more.
Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is dealing with a torn biceps, an injury that could possibly keep him out for an extended period of time.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Suggs is seeking a second opinion from doctors because some biceps injuries are not as serious as others and can be played through. If Suggs is medically cleared to play, it is likely he will not miss any playing time.
Suggs commented on his injury on Twitter:
"Waiting on 2nd opinion. Will keep ya'll posted. Don't panic! We do this every year! The MISSION is still the same. #NawlinsInFebruary"
According to ESPN.com, a number of players have played with a similar injury before, including Washington defensive ends Andre Carter and Phillip Daniels in 2009 and Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby this season.
Suggs injured his arm in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 23-20 loss to Pittsburgh and is currently undergoing further testing.
There has been no official statement from the Ravens, although coach John Harbaugh said to reporters on Monday that the injury shouldn't keep Suggs out long-term.
"I think we are encouraged that it may not be," Harbaugh said to ESPN.com. "We'll just have to see. If I knew that for sure or could say it for sure, I would. I just can't right now. But, we have some encouragement there."
Suggs won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award last year, but missed the first six weeks of this season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon injury in the offseason. Many wondered if Suggs would play at all this season following the injury, but he proved doubters wrong by returning for the Houston Texans game on Oct 21, a 43-13 loss for the Ravens.
"We don't know the extent of it," Harbaugh said to the Baltimore Sun. "We have an idea what it is. It needs to be evaluated as far as coming back and possibly playing this week or not. We just have to see where it is at and we should know by [Tuesday] or Wednesday what it is."
Suggs has played through pain before in his career, including in against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game four years ago when he had two sacks while dealing with a shoulder injury.
The five-time Pro Bowler has made 19 tackles and registered two sacks with four passes defended in six games this season. He had a sack in his first game against the Texans and added 4 tackles (3 solo) and 1 pass defended. Suggs registered a season-high four tackles in Baltimore's 16-13 overtime win over the San Diego Chargers two weeks ago.
Suggs has been one of the most important defensive players for the Ravens over the past few season and is the franchise leader in sacks and forced fumbles.
Speaking of Ravens defensive leaders, linebacker Ray Lewis may return from a torn triceps injury sooner than expected.
According to ESPN.com, the Ravens coaching staff is expecting Lewis to participate in practice on Wednesday and could return as soon as next week for Baltimore's home game against Denver, which could have playoff implications.
Lewis tore his triceps nearly two months ago while playing against the Dallas Cowboys. The team placed him on the injured/designated to return list after he was injured, leaving him the option to return to the team when healthy.
It was first thought that Lewis would miss the entire regular season, but it is looking more likely that he will play on Dec. 16 against the Denver Broncos or the following week against the New York Giants.
"For the greatest player in Ravens history to be able to return from this injury and come on this championship run with us? When he was said to be down and out? Man, that's critical mass. When he comes through that tunnel, that's gonna be the earthquake and the tsunami," Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo told Yahoo! Sports a few weeks ago following the injury.
The All-Pro linebacker has made 57 tackles this season with one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass defended. He had a season-high 14 in the 31-29 win against Dallas and has posted double-digit tackles in four of the six games he has played in this season.
Lewis is one of the most decorated defensive players in NFL history and is essential to any Baltimore playoff run this season. The team is ranked 23rd in both passing and rushing defensive yards and could benefit from Lewis playing in the middle. He has been named AP NFL Defensive Player of Year twice and has gone to 13 Pro Bowls.
The Ravens face the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
