OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens have placed nose tackle Michael Pierce on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games.
The veteran defensive lineman injured his right calf in the second quarter of last Sunday’s loss to Cleveland and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game, which is never a good sign. Head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that he didn’t yet know how much time Pierce might miss.
In seven games this season, the 6-foot, 355-pound Pierce has collected 15 tackles and one sack while registering three quarterback hits and a tipped pass.
Pierce will turn 32 next week and has remained an important part of the defensive line rotation despite third-year defensive tackle Travis Jones moving ahead of him into the starting lineup this season. The effects of a Week 7 ankle injury limited Jones to just 15 snaps against the Browns while defensive end Brent Urban suffered a concussion in the first quarter, leaving Baltimore very shorthanded on the defensive line for the remainder of the game.
Jones and Urban were not taking part in Wednesday’s practice.
A 2016 undrafted free agent out of Samford, Pierce was quite a success story making himself into a starting-caliber NFL defensive tackle, but injuries have been a frustrating theme over the back half of his career. After opting out of the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pierce played in just 11 games over the next two seasons. However, he started every game for the Ravens last year, which earned him a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension in January.
Taking Pierce’s place on the 53-man roster was wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who passed his physical and took part in Wednesday’s practice after being acquired from the Carolina Panthers.
