OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens have lost one of their best special-teams players and a versatile linebacker as veteran Albert McClellan sustained a season-ending knee injury last week.
Head coach John Harbaugh announced Monday that the 31-year-old tore his ACL in a non-contact play at practice last Wednesday. The team initially hoped the injury was not as severe before a magnetic resonance imaging exam confirmed the tear.
“He’ll be with us next year,” Harbaugh said. “It provides a great opportunity for a couple of these young linebackers who have played well on special teams.”
Originally an undrafted free agent from Marshall who spent the entire 2010 season on the practice squad, McClellan has started only 24 games in his career, but he’s been a pillar on special teams since 2011 and has played all four linebacker positions. McClellan started 11 of his 16 games last season, collecting a career-high 52 tackles and one sack.
He led the Ravens in special-teams stops in 2011, 2013, and 2014 and finished tied for second in 2015.
His versatility is valued on game days when there are only 46 active players and few backups within each positional group. The injury leaves former rookie free agent Patrick Onwuasor as the primary reserve behind projected starting inside linebackers C.J. Mosley and Kamalei Correa. It also improves the chances of an undrafted rookie such as Bam Bradley or Donald Payne to make the 53-man roster, but McClellan’s loss may prompt general manager Ozzie Newsome to seek veteran depth at the position.
The Ravens have now lost 10 players for the season since the beginning June, a list that includes cornerback Tavon Young (knee), tight ends Dennis Pitta (hip) and Crockett Gillmore (knee), running back Kenneth Dixon (knee), guards Alex Lewis (shoulder) and Nico Siragusa (knee), and wide receiver Tim White (thumb). Baltimore also lost tight end Darren Waller to a one-year drug-related suspension and fourth-year offensive lineman John Urschel to a surprising retirement at the start of training camp.