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Ray Lewis done for the year
Owings Mills, MD (Sports Network) - Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis will miss the rest of the season after doctors decided to perform surgery on his torn hamstring.
Lewis missed the Ravens' previous six games after first injuring his leg against the Chicago Bears.
Baltimore had hoped Lewis would be back on the field this week but after further examination thought it would be prudent to shut down the star linebacker and perform the surgery.
"It had great strength, the point where he could probably play, but, on reexamination, from the long-term perspective, they decided to go with the surgery," Ravens head coach Brian Billick said. "I think they went about it the right way."
Lewis will head to the injured reserve for just the second time in his star- studded career. In 2002, he severely injured his shoulder in the fourth game and missed the rest of the season.
The former Miami star has been considered by many as the best linebacker in the NFL and the Ravens have felt the effect of his absence. Since Lewis exited the lineup, Baltimore has given up an average of 23.5 points per game and 302 yards per contest.
"Oh, it's huge, it's huge," Billick said of Lewis' absence. "But you gain some things when you lose a player of that caliber, because other people have to step up." Lewis had 46 tackles, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery in the six games he played for the Ravens this season.
Ray Lewis done for the year
Owings Mills, MD (Sports Network) - Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis will miss the rest of the season after doctors decided to perform surgery on his torn hamstring.
Lewis missed the Ravens' previous six games after first injuring his leg against the Chicago Bears.
Baltimore had hoped Lewis would be back on the field this week but after further examination thought it would be prudent to shut down the star linebacker and perform the surgery.
"It had great strength, the point where he could probably play, but, on reexamination, from the long-term perspective, they decided to go with the surgery," Ravens head coach Brian Billick said. "I think they went about it the right way."
Lewis will head to the injured reserve for just the second time in his star- studded career. In 2002, he severely injured his shoulder in the fourth game and missed the rest of the season.
The former Miami star has been considered by many as the best linebacker in the NFL and the Ravens have felt the effect of his absence. Since Lewis exited the lineup, Baltimore has given up an average of 23.5 points per game and 302 yards per contest.
"Oh, it's huge, it's huge," Billick said of Lewis' absence. "But you gain some things when you lose a player of that caliber, because other people have to step up." Lewis had 46 tackles, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery in the six games he played for the Ravens this season.
