Coach John Harbaugh’s fears following the preseason opener were found to be true as defensive lineman Ryan McBean suffered a broken left ankle in the second quarter of the Ravens’ 31-17 win over Atlanta.
The 28-year-old will visit Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte early next week to discuss his options, one of which would be surgery. McBean was carted off the Georgia Dome turf and faces the prospects of missing the entire season.
McBean signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Ravens on May 7 and was already facing a three-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. Formerly a member of the Denver Broncos, McBean was expected to be a regular member of the Baltimore defensive line rotation.
“The guy is working hard, he’s tough, he’s physical,” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said about McBean last week. “[He] just kind of has to learn our technique that we want just a little better.”
With McBean’s season now in jeopardy, his absence improves the chances of veteran Ma’ake Kemoeatu and young defensive linemen Bryan Adams and DeAngelo Tyson grabbing spots on the 53-man roster.
A fourth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, McBean collected 33 tackles and four sacks for Denver last season.
In other news, an MRI confirmed tight end Ed Dickson suffered only a sprained shoulder on Thursday night. He is expected to be back in time for the regular-season opener on Sept. 10.
Ravens DT McBean suffers broken left ankle in preseason opener
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
Podcast Audio Vault
Right Now in Baltimore
Twelve Ravens Thoughts following Week 16 win over Pittsburgh
Marlon Humphrey provided the cathartic moment that slammed the door as Baltimore beat the Steelers for just the second time in the last 10 meetings.
Ravens finish strong for 34-17 win over Pittsburgh to pull even in AFC North
Lamar Jackson threw three touchdowns and Derrick Henry rushed for 162 yards, but Marlon Humphrey's pick-6 allowed Baltimore to pull away.
ColumnNes: Big plays, big hits and Ravens showed no quit against Steelers
The Ravens talked all week about being locked in, and in the end, they were. Creating turnovers. And even landing on your own fumbles. It all matters this time of year. Turnovers turn over games. The Steelers made too many…