Following a gritty overtime victory in San Diego led by Ray Rice’s nearly miraculous 29 yard scramble, the Baltimore Ravens may be eyeing yet another miracle: the return of pro-bowl linebacker Ray Lewis.
The football world is buzzing with rumors surrounding this renowned defender, who suffered a seemingly season-ending injury after a right triceps tear in the mid-October win against the Cowboys. Lewis, 37, had surgery and was placed on injured reserve with the designation that he could return to the 2012 season. This seemed like wishful thinking, because a tendon is generally not fully healed for three months.
Yet, the indisputable leader of the Ravens defense has been quietly working to prove skeptics wrong, apparently receiving aggressive treatment for his triceps. Whispers in the sports arena suggest that Lewis is expected to return before the end of the year, perhaps as early as December 16 to face Peyton Manning and the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
The Ravens have performed strongly over the past month and half, winning 8 of their last 9 games. Still, the return of Ray Lewis would provide an undeniable boost to the team. “We can’t put Ray out there until he’s ready to win those battles,” said Coach John Harbaugh. “But if it can be done, yes, we want to do it.”
They have already benefitted from the quick recovery of Terrell Suggs, who took the field on October 21, less than six months after surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. He has recorded 17 tackles and 2 sacks since his return.
The Baltimore Ravens are showing their heart. Each of their players has his eyes locked on a Super Bowl ring, which has narrowly evaded them the past 3 years. Ray Lewis’ return to his seventeenth—and quite possibly, his last—season, may be just the fire the Baltimore Ravens need during this final push to Super Bowl XLVII.
