Because we are asked about it so frequently, it’s probably worth mentioning again that nothing really has changed with injured linebacker Terrell Suggs. Suggs has declined pretty much all media requests since he spoke to reporters in June, saying that he has no plans to talk again until he’s ready to play. Team officials have maintained throughout that Suggs is making good progress and Ravens coach John Harbaugh last Friday was as definitive as he’s been on the subject, indicating that he expects Suggs will play this season. However, it remains far too early to discuss how healthy Suggs will be, what kind of shape that he’ll be in and whether he’ll be effective or not. Suggs will be on the physically unable to perform list through the Ravens’ Oct.14 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Then, they’ll have three more weeks after that to evaluate his progress and decide whether they’re ready to place him on the active roster or on season-ending injured reserve. So the earliest I would suspect to see Suggs is Nov. 11 against the Oakland Raiders and I stress that would be the absolute earliest. But until he’s back practicing and talking to the media, it’s probably pointless to speculate how much he’ll be able to help the Ravens for the stretch run.
Ravens news, notes and opinions
Quick update on several former Ravens who left via free agency in the offseason: Linebacker Jarret Johnson has 10 tackles and no sacks for the San Diego Chargers; Carolina Panthers safety Haruki Nakamura has 17 tackles, two passes defended and one interception, but he’s struggled the past couple of weeks and there are reports that his starting job is in jeopardy; Guard Ben Grubbs of the winless New Orleans Saints has yet to be called for a penalty but he’s given up two sacks in four games; Indianapolis Colts’ defensive end Cory Redding has eight tackles and two pass defenses in three games while his teammate, safety Tom Zbikowski, has nine tackles and one pass defended. Nose tackle Brandon McKinney also followed Chuck Pagano to Indianapolis but McKinney is on season-ending injured reserve. Kicker Billy Cundiff hit the game-winner for the Washington Redskins last Sunday. However, he missed three field goals earlier in the game and is just 6-for-10 on the season.
And finally, I’d like to echo the sentiments of many others when I wish Colts head coach and former Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano all the best in his recovery from leukemia. All it takes is to be around Pagano for two minutes and you quickly realize why everybody likes and respects him so much and why so many players want to play well for him. I started covering the Ravens after Week One last season and two of the most impressive people I’ve met in that short span are Pagano and wide receiver Torrey Smith. Both obviously in recent days have been hit with some jarring and life-changing developments. They have responded to it with the same toughness and class that they bring to everything else.
