Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh announced that starting cornerback Lardarius Webb and middle linebacker Ray Lewis are out of the season. Webb, who signed a six-year deal worth $50 million in the offseason, suffered an ACL tear, which was confirmed following a Monday morning MRI, during Baltimore's win over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday. During the same game Lewis suffered a complete triceps tear, also confirmed on Monday following an MRI, and he'll miss the rest of the season.
One could argue that this certainly leaves the AFC North up for grabs now. You could. But we doubt it. It's not like the AFC North was going through Baltimore's defense, currently ranked No. 26 in the NFL -- No. 23 passing and No. 26 rushing. And don't believe for a second that his locker room presence will be vacant. Even with Lewis being out for the year, we'll likely see the emotional leader on the sidelines, waving a towel, cheering his team and continuing those motivational speeches he's become known for.
Yet that being said it's a fragile thing, the NFL. There are only three teams in the AFC with a better record than the Bengals, including the 5-1 Baltimore Ravens, who just lost two of their biggest defensive pieces in one game.
Terrell Suggs, who has missed the season with an injury, is expected back at some point in November.
Baltimore's remaining schedule visits the Houston Texans this weekend before entering their bye week. After that Baltimore's schedule starts with the Browns and Raiders before two games with the Steelers between week nine and 11. The Ravens also have the Chargers, Broncos and Giants before the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.