Perriman still has "a shot" to return in 2015

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — It was three months ago this week that wide receiver Breshad Perriman injured his right knee on the first day of training camp.
The Ravens remain unsure when — or even if — their 2015 first-round pick will return this season. Head coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that he has talked with the rookie “every day” since Perriman underwent arthroscopic surgery for a sprained posterior cruciate ligament three weeks ago, but it remains unclear when he could begin practicing again.
“It does seem like there’s progress being made,” Harbaugh said. “What does that mean? I don’t know and I’d hate to walk out there on that limb and say something about it, but I’m still hopeful. We have our fingers crossed. He hasn’t been put on [injured reserve] yet, so that means we still have a shot.”
After being sidelined for two months, Perriman had returned to practice on a limited basis for a few days before reporters witnessed him tweak his knee in a pre-game workout at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 27. The 6-foot-2 receiver then visited renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews and had his knee scoped and injected with platelet-rich plasma to accelerate the healing process.
Many have wondered why the Ravens wouldn’t just place Perriman on I.R. after such an extended absence and no clear timetable for his return, but the organization prefers to keep the door open for the possibility to evaluate any late-season performance heading into the offseason. Sporting a 1-6 record and going nowhere in terms of the playoff picture, the Ravens seem more willing to be patient despite the inconvenience of continuing to carry him on the 53-man roster.
With the 36-year-old Steve Smith recently reconfirming his plan to retire at the end of the season, it’s no secret that general manager Ozzie Newsome will need to improve the wide receiver position dramatically. Getting to see a healthy Perriman play even a few games would figure to be beneficial to the big picture in trying to improve the roster.
It’s been a disappointing year for other members of the Ravens’ 2015 draft class with second-round tight end Maxx Williams and fourth-round cornerback Tray Walker not making a significant impact and sixth-round receiver Darren Waller being placed on I.R. with a hamstring injury on Wednesday.