Harbaugh deems cause of Suggs' Achilles injury "not relevant"

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With the Ravens hitting the field for the final week of voluntary organized team activities, coach John Harbaugh had no interest rehashing the circumstances leading up to Pro Bowl linebacker Terrell Suggs’ Achilles tendon injury in late April.
The Baltimore coach calmly handled a question regarding an ESPN report saying Suggs suffered a partially-torn Achilles tendon while playing in a basketball tournament in Arizona and answered in the only way he could — focusing on the future.
“That’s not a conversation we’re even having,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not relevant to anything that has anything to do with what we’re trying to accomplish. If it were, I guess we’d think about it.”
The organization has yet to comment on the circumstances leading up to Suggs’ injury, instead deferring to the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year’s claim that he was injured while doing conditioning work.
Unless Suggs chooses to address the situation when he arrives in Owings Mills next week, the questions will likely persist for the foreseeable future as he vows to return to action by the middle of the season — an unlikely scenario given the history of players coming back from Achilles injuries.
“The relevant conversation as far as Terrell Suggs is going to be rehab,” Harbaugh said. “He’s going to be back here next week. I think he’s got a doctor’s appointment on Monday if I’m not mistaken. He’s going to go to work and get that thing back. Knowing Terrell, he’ll be back sooner rather than later.”
Harbaugh gave no indication that the Ravens were eagerly looking to add another outside linebacker with Michael McAdoo becoming the second Baltimore linebacker to go down with a torn Achilles tendon after being injured during a voluntary workout last week. The North Carolina product is expected to miss the entire 2012 season.
“We are just looking for the best 90 [players] that we can bring to camp,” Harbaugh said. “We’re comfortable with the outside backers we have that we can go to work with next year and play with.”
As for the action on the field during Wednesday’s voluntary workout, 19 players were missing during the midday practice. However, with no official injury report released during OTAs, it’s possible some players may have been inside the facility for an undisclosed reason such as an injury.
A pair of key second-year players — offensive lineman Jah Reid and defensive end Pernell McPhee — were missing from the field during Wednesday’s practice, marking the second straight week they haven’t been present when the Ravens worked out in front of the media.
Also missing from the field on Wednesday were Suggs, McAdoo, safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard, running back Ray Rice, fullback Vonta Leach, offensive linemen Marshal Yanda, Matt Birk, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, and linebackers Ray Lewis, Brendon Ayanbadejo, and Jameel McClain.
Other absences among younger players were wide receiver Rodney Bradley, cornerback Asa Jackson, safety Emanuel Cook, and tight end Bruce Figgins.
Defensive tackle Bryan Hall (undisclosed) was not working but was present in the locker room following practice. Cornerback Cary Williams (hip), wide receivers David Reed (knee) and Tandon Doss (undisclosed), offensive linemen Kelechi Osemele (described as a minor injury) and Howard Barbieri (undisclosed), linebacker Cody Glenn (undisclosed) were all present on the field but not practicing with the team.
After not being on the field for last Wednesday’s workout, cornerback Jimmy Smith and left tackle Bryant McKinnie were present and working.
Visit the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault to hear more from John Harbaugh as well as Jimmy Smith, Courtney Upshaw, and Kelechi Osemele HERE.