Baltimore Ravens Shouldn't Let Terrell Suggs Rush Back from Injury in 2012

For the Baltimore Ravens, the loss of Terrell Suggs is devastating, especially with the team primed to make another Super Bowl run in 2012.

However, they must not rush him back from injury. 

Yes, there are a handful of talented and established stars on their defense, and Suggs' absence won't lead to a major drop off in production, but it's impossible to replace the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. 

A torn Achilles is no laughing matter and at 29, Suggs must be especially patient with his recovery for the sake of his own career and for the potential of future Ravens teams. 

In a recent AFC North post by ESPN blogger Jamison Hensley, injury expert Stephania Bell was consulted on Achilles injuries in general and spoke about a typical timetable for a return: 

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Some guys will say it takes them a full year to feel like they did pre-injury, especially when it comes to power, speed, explosiveness. Can they still come back and contribute before that? Absolutely, if everything proceeds according to plan and if they are medically cleared.

There are other factors involved in surgery which can slow rehab such as if the tendon was in very poor shape or if there was bone work involved near the attachment," Bell said. Then there are always post-op possible complications, like infection, which can influence timeline. Not to mention the work the athlete puts in, within the parameters permitted based on the post-op guidelines. It is a lot of hard work to get back from this.

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She finished by saying that right now there's no way of setting a timeline in stone right now. 

The only conceivable way it'd be fine for the Ravens to allow Suggs back onto the field is if he's been fully cleared by doctors, feels 100 percent, and Baltimore is battling for a playoff spot in December. 

Even then, he'd have to be utilized in a situational role, something he's not accustomed to. 

If Suggs contributes and the Ravens do slip into the postseason or win the AFC North, will they be able to count on Suggs in the playoffs? 

I'm not so sure. 

This is a veteran team, but one that has a legitimate chance to make the Super Bowl for the next few years. 

By bringing back Suggs "early" they run the incredible risk of doing further damage to a tendon that's drastically slowed down and ended many careers in the NFL. 

I have faith in the rest of the Ravens defense, that they can do enough to give Baltimore a real shot at making a deep run in 2012 playoffs without Suggs in the lineup.

Pernell McPhee quietly had six sacks last season. Haloti Ngata's still a monster on the interior. Entering his fourth season, Paul Kruger is primed for a breakout campaign. Ray Lewis is still a menacing presence roaming the middle of the field.

Ed Reed and Lardarius Webb are fine defensive backs who combined for eight interceptions in 2011. Don't forget about 2012 draftee Courtney Upshaw, either. 

He's an extremely valuable commodity and must not be forced onto the field when maybe he won't be needed. 

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