Since the end of the 2006 season, Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle has wanted to establish a long streak of consecutive games played.
He has been unsuccessful, but Rolle will get another shot Sunday.
After missing the past six games with a neck injury that required surgery, Rolle will be in the lineup when the Ravens travel to Houston to take on the Texans.
Rolle can't wait to return.
"It's been tough watching, especially with Chris going down," Rolle said, referring to cornerback Chris McAlister. "I've tried to be involved every week, even though I haven't been playing. I've been going to the meetings and studying our game plans. Now, it's time to get back out there on the field."
In the past two years, Rolle has played, just not for long. It all began in 2006, when Rolle started all 16 games, but he had his worst season of the previous 10.
Rolle repeatedly got beat on long balls. He was usually a step slow and sluggish. No one could explain what was happening then, but Rolle found out a year later when he was diagnosed with epilepsy. He missed 10 games in 2007 partly because of his battle with the disease and partly because of a shoulder injury.
Rolle started the first two games this season, but he has missed the past six with a shoulder injury suffered late in the Cleveland game.
"This has been frustrating, really," Rolle said. "In 2006, I was sick. That's when all the epilepsy stuff started coming, but I didn't realize what it was. I had it in my mind to have a strong year in 2007, and that's when I learned I had epilepsy, and I got really down. But this year, I have been positive with a new coach and a new environment."
During those brief times he has been on the field in the past two years, Rolle has played well. He's not going to knock many receivers off the line of scrimmage, not weighing 170 pounds.
But when healthy, Rolle can run with just about any receiver. He has good closing speed and outstanding quickness. He can play outside in the regular defense or move inside to the nickel back position.
One Raven eager for his return is Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed. Without McAlister and Rolle in the lineup, Reed has to cover a lot of ground as the team's center fielder in the secondary.
"With Samari, you have a guy where I don't have to make as many checks because he knows the defense, and you know he is going to be in the right position," Reed said. "You know he is going to do his job. It's exciting to have him back.
