Joe Flacco Injury: Updates on Ravens QB's Knee and Recovery

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco suffered a season-ending knee injury against the St. Louis Rams in Week 11. He has since been placed on injured reserve and had surgery to repair the injury. However, a firm timeline for his full recovery has yet to be established.

Continue for updates.

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Flacco Targeting 2016 Regular-Season Return

Sunday, Dec. 27

"Flacco had both his ACL and MCL repaired recently by Dr. James Andrews and began an immediate recovery program. The general timetable could be six to nine months, and Flacco is hopeful of being back to work for training camp and cleared for full contact in time for Week 1," reported CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.

La Canfora, citing sources, also reported Flacco "began riding a stationary bike last week and [is] making good initial strides."

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Flacco Undergoes Surgery

Tuesday, Dec. 8

ESPN's Adam Caplan reported the surgery went well and cited a source who said it was "all good."

The Ravens announced Flacco would have the  procedure on Dec. 7, noting the quarterback was in Alabama at the time to meet with Andrews for a pre-checkup.

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Flacco Officially Placed on IR

Tuesday, Nov. 24

The Ravens announced Flacco has been placed on season-ending injury reserve, and they have claimed Jimmy Clausen off waivers.

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Harbaugh Comments on Flacco's Injury, Recovery 

Monday, Nov. 23

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Flacco tore his ACL and MCL, adding that surgery will be done when the swelling reduces. 

Harbaugh also talked about the timetable for Flacco's recovery. "My indications I've been given would be that he would be back for the start of training camp and it wouldn't be an issue. However, as we well know, those are always things that get determined based on how the rehab goes," he said, per WNST's Luke Jones.

The NFL has a video of the play during which Flacco suffered the injury:

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Flacco's Injury Another Crippling Blow to Ravens' Season

Flacco has proved difficult to wear down through seven-plus NFL seasons. However, the former Delaware standout's health status is in doubt.

He has been both celebrated and maligned across the league in recent years, but there is no question he is a key factor in how far the Ravens will go in 2015.

The 6'6", 245-pound gunslinger has helped lead the Ravens to the playoffs in all but one of his NFL seasons, including a Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers at the conclusion of the 2012 campaign. He has also been remarkably durable, as he entered 2015 having never missed a regular-season contest.

Flacco inked a six-year, $120.6 million deal with $52 million guaranteed prior to the 2013 season. He obviously didn't earn it in 2013, which prompted Grantland's Bill Barnwell to label it one of the NFL's worst contracts.

The former first-round pick bounced back in a big way last season, though, posting one of his best statistical years. He set career highs with 3,986 yards and 27 touchdowns while completing 62.1 percent of his passes and throwing just 12 interceptions.

The veteran has also established himself as a strong voice and leader within the locker room in the eyes of wide receiver Kamar Aiken, according to WNST:

Flacco seems to be improving with age, and he talked about it before the 2015 season, per ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley: "It's funny, but I feel like I'm starting to finally mature. I think there is definitely a physical peak for people, and it's probably a little later than most people would believe. Mentally, I think there's no reason why you can't get better and better. And at my position, that's a lot of it."

It's tough to argue with Flacco's assessment, but the aging process tends to lessen a player's durability as well. The 30-year-old is a big, strong quarterback capable of absorbing punishment, but everyone has to deal with injuries eventually.

With Flacco's season over, the Ravens will have to lean on veteran backup Matt Schaub.

Considering the circumstances, Baltimore could be in a much worse position, as Schaub has playoff experience and should be able to at least keep the team in games for the remainder of the season.

However, Schaub will be without Steve Smith Sr., whose season ended after an Achilles injury, and Justin Forsett, who broke his arm against the Rams, per NFL.com.

Flacco is the catalyst of the Ravens offense, though, which is why the team could be in for continued struggles without its leader.

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