Ravens defense to take huge hit for 2012
The Baltimore Ravens vaunted linebacking corps won’t be so vaunted in 2012. After losing Jarrett Johnson to free agency, the hits keep coming to the Ravens front-seven and the latest hit is a significant one, losing 2011 defensive player of the year Terrell Suggs to a torn achilles that is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season. There’s not a player on that defense who impacts a game more than Suggs who led the Ravens with 14 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 7 forced fumbles in 2011. This is like Pittsburgh losing Troy Polamalu for the year. The biggest concern for the Ravens moving forward is the sudden drop they are likely to have in the
Steelers @ Ravens inactives: Nick Eason, Terrell Suggs inactive
Pittsburgh Steelers inactives Defensive end Nick Eason is inactive for the Steelers. The Steelers other inactives are Keenan Lewis, Charlie Batch, Chris Kemoeatu, Troy Polamalu, Tony Hills and Sunny Harris. LB Rocky Boiman and Cornerback Corey Ivy will suit up for their first game in a Steelers uniform. Both players will be on the Steelers kick coverage unit. Travis Kirschke will start at LDE and Ziggy Hood will back him up. Ben Roethlisberger is active and will serve as the Steelers No. 3 quarterback. For the Ravens, Ed Reed is active but Terrell Suggs is inactive.
Polamalu returns; Suggs unsure if he’ll be able to play
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and cornerback Samari Rolle both missed practice for the second consecutive day. According to the Baltimore Sun, Suggs said he doesn’t know whether he can play in Sunday’s AFC championship game at Pittsburgh. “I have never missed a game here,” Suggs said today. “So, I definitely don’t want to start with the AFC championship. Come Sunday, we’ll see.” It is believed Suggs could have major ligament damage. Rookie Jameel McClain, converted tight end Edgar Jones and defensive end Marques Douglas have all took snaps in practice replacing Suggs. Mark Clayton (thigh); running back Le’Ron McClain (right ankle); Derrick Mason (knee/dislocated left shoulder/ linebacker Jarret Johnson (left calf); and defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot) did not