Canty becomes latest Ravens player going to injured reserve

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Veteran defensive end Chris Canty will become the latest Ravens player to land on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in Sunday’s loss to Seattle.
Canty underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam before head coach John Harbaugh announced the news at his Monday press conference. The 33-year-old missed four games earlier this season with a calf injury and had collected 19 tackles and one sack in nine games.
After being cut early in the offseason, Canty was re-signed to a two-year, $4.65 million contract in mid-March. After trading five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to the Detroit Lions, the Ravens believed Canty’s experience and leadership would help a young defensive line entering 2015.
“I’m so glad that we were able to bring Chris Canty back this year,” Harbaugh said. “He’s played really great football, but more than that, he’s been a tremendous leader. He’s been a stand-up guy. He’s led the way with a bunch of young guys on defense, especially with the young front-seven guys. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Chris Canty and what he’s done for us this year.”
Though under contract for another season, Canty carries a $2.915 million salary cap figure for 2016, meaning the Ravens could part ways with the 11th-year veteran to save $2.15 million in cap space. The University of Virginia product recently told WNST.net that he wants to continue playing next season despite pondering retirement at the end of last season.
With fifth-year defensive end Lawrence Guy playing effectively in three starts earlier this season and 2014 fourth-round pick Brent Urban finally healthy, the Ravens would appear to be in good shape at the 5-technique defensive end position if they decide to release Canty this winter.
When the Canty roster move becomes official, the Ravens will have 18 players on IR, which does not include tight end Dennis Pitta spending the entire year on the reserve physically unable to perform list.