Jameel McClain Likely To Make His Return To Ravens Following Spinal Cord Injury
When By Samuel Njoku
The Ravens and Steelers have a reputation of playing smash mouth football. This means after these two teams clash on Sunday, the injury report may be a little longer than usual. But the Ravens still want to be as healthy as possible for this pivotal matchup against their division foe. Based on what has been put on display in practice, the Ravens are on the right track.
Sometimes injuries knock you out for the rest of the season. And sometimes those injuries linger well into the following season. The latter was exactly the case for ILB Jameel McClain after he suffered a spinal cord contusion in 2012. Many wondered whether McClain would ever be able to play football again, let alone play this year. But McClain defied the odds and will most likely play Sunday against the Steelers. News like this shouldn't surprise anyone as he's accustomed to overcoming adversity.
"They tried to kill me," an emotional McClain proclaimed on Wednesday. "I'm not dead. I'm still here, still doing what I love and fighting for this team."
When asked whether he thought he would be here before the season started, McClain wasted little time in answering.
"There was so much negativity that I couldn't afford to think negative," Ravens LB Jameel McClain stated. "All I could do was believe in myself and what I was capable of doing. Whether it was coning in as an undrafted free agent or coming back from an injury so many people thought I couldn't come back from. I fought the odds. I always had belief in myself in a world of negativity."
The possible return of Jameel McClain couldn't come at a better time for Baltimore as starting ILB Josh Bynes has been ruled out of Sunday's game with a finger infection. If both McClain and Bynes are unable to play, rookie LB Arthur Brown will start next to Daryl Smith.
The Ravens are healthy on offense despite their recent struggles. The only injury of note appears to be veteran WR Brandon Stokley who continues to deal with a nagging thigh injury. Stokley felt good in practice on Wednesday before relapsing a bit on Thursday. Coach Harbaugh told reporters that he doesn't expect him to play unless something changes.
Baltimore Ravens Injury Report
OUT:
LB Josh Bynes (thigh, finger)
Doubtful:
C Ryan Jensen (foot)
WR Brandon Stokley (thigh)
Questionable:
CB Chykie Brown (thigh)
DT Terrence Cody (knee)
LB Albert McCellan (shoulder)
DT Haloti Ngata (elbow)
LB Courtney Upshaw (foot)
CB Lardarius Webb (thigh)
Probable:
DE Chris Canty (thigh)
LB Jameel McClain (neck)
DT Marcus Spears (knee)
For more Ravens news and updates, visit Ravens Central.
Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.
