Ravens’ hopes take hit
The road to the AFC North title just got tougher for the Baltimore Ravens, who lost their season opener and one of their top playmakers.
Linebacker Terrell Suggs is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles in Sunday’s 19-13 loss to the Denver Broncos, the team announced.
Suggs, 32, also suffered a torn Achilles during the 2012 offseason and returned to action a little over five months later. The same timeline wouldn’t get him back in time to help the Ravens, who must replace Suggs’ productivity as a pass rusher and the attitude he brings to the defense.
Entering the season, the Ravens probably had the most talented defense in the division. They held Peyton Manning and com- pany without an offensive touchdown even after Suggs departed.
The AFC North figures to be highly competitive again after sending three 10-win teams to the playoffs last year. No doubt, losing Suggs is a blow to the Ravens’ chances.
Suggs signed a four-year contract extension in February 2014 that included an $11 million signing bonus. His scheduled base salaries are $4.5 million in 2016 and $4 million in 2017 and 2018, none of it guaranteed.