Terrell Suggs could be done for the year with Achilles injury

Linebacker will see specialist next week after injuring himself in workouts

The Ravens also could explore a trade — the New York Giants’ Osi Umenyiora and the Indianapolis Colts’ Dwight Freeney are among the pass rushers who could be available — but they never like moving draft picks and they have less than $2 million in salary cap space. The free agent market is also thin on pass rushers though Matt Roth (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Andre Carter (New England Patriots) would bring some pass-rushing skills.

However, any of the replacements will obviously represent a serious downgrade over Suggs, who is the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks (82 1/2 ), sack yardage (610) and forced fumbles (29), is second in fumble recoveries (11) and third in tackles (660).

“I've never been seriously hurt before,” Suggs said. “[Ravens linebacker] Ray Lewis, the greatest player ever, has been hurt a couple of times, but he has always come back strong. I've never been through anything like this before. It is nerve racking, but I want to repeat, not just as the player of the year, but to get back to the championship game and then the super bowl. I can't get it done, win the player of the year, playing only nine games, but I can help us still win a Super Bowl, and that's one hell of a consolation prize.”

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Baltimore Sun reporter Mike Preston contributed to this article.