Photo courtesy of Mitch Stringer, US Presswire
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles tendon and likely will miss the 2012 season, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Thursday. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and founder of “Ball So Hard University” is believed to have suffered the injury playing basketball. Schefter’s sources say surgery is scheduled for early next week.
Last season Suggs had 70 tackles, including 14 sacks, and was a threat all over the field from his hybrid linebacker-end position. He also forced seven fumbles and had two interceptions. Those accomplishments led to Suggs winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Suggs’ loss will be a significant setback to a veteran team clearly in win-now mode with so many aging stars on the roster. As for a plan following the injury to Suggs, veteran Paul Kruger was deemed ready to take over for the departed Jarrett Johnson before scooping up free falling Courtney Upshaw in the second round of the draft.
Still, the Ravens and their fan base are ready to panic and rightfully so.
