The Baltimore Ravens are hopeful that they can get last year's Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs back before the end of the season. According to a Thursday report from Don Banks at SI.com, the Ravens believe that they could have the linebacker back in the lineup late in the season, playing a smaller role as a pass rushing specialist.
Baltimore's assessment differs slightly from Suggs' own evaluation. Suggs believes that he can return sometime in the middle of the season, October even, at full speed and back in his usual role. Recovery time for an Achilles tear such as the one suffered by Suggs is pegged at anywhere from 4-6 months.
The Ravens could use the new injured reserve exception approved by owners earlier this month. The rule change allows teams to bring back one designated player on the injured reserve list before the end of the season. Prior to the change, players on IR were out for the year, whether they could return later or not.
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