Ray Lewis Injury: Ravens' Star LB to Miss Bengals Game and Possibly More

Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis will miss the team's crucial AFC North matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday with a toe injury that he suffered last week against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times.

Lewis has gone to Florida to have his toe injury looked at by a specialist, according to Wilson's twitter account.

This has to be a really painful injury because it would take a lot to keep a player such as Ray Lewis out of an important game late in the season.

Lewis has started in 57 straight games, but that impressive streak will come to a halt this week, and it is possible that the injury could also keep Lewis out beyond Sunday's game with the Bengals.

This is a massive loss for the Ravens defense against a quality Bengals team on Sunday. Both teams are 6-3 on the season and are fighting for a wild card playoff berth and a possible division title if they can catch the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are 7-3.

The Ravens are tied for third in the NFL with 27 sacks and lead the league with 15 forced fumbles.

Against a rookie quarterback in Dalton, the Ravens must have liked their matchup this week, but without Lewis the middle of their defense will be a lot less intimidating.

Lewis leads the Ravens with 68 tackles and is the leader of the defense. Even at age 36 he is still an elite player.

The Ravens' defense has talented players at nearly every position and are certainly capable of preventing Dalton and the Bengals offense from playing well this week, but without their leader that task has become much more challenging.

Follow @NicholasGoss35