After suffering a severe toe injury in last Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson was officially placed on injured reserve with the designation to return on Wednesday.
The third-year cornerback is currently in a walking boot and will now be sidelined a minimum of six weeks before he can begin practicing again. Jackson can return to game action after a minimum of eight weeks under the rules of the IR-designated to return exemption that was introduced at the start of the 2012 season. The earliest game in which Jackson could return would be the Ravens’ Week 14 meeting with the Miami Dolphins.
The timing of the injury comes as veteran cornerback Lardarius Webb saw his most extensive action of the season by playing 44 of 82 defensive snaps against the Colts. Jackson started four of the Ravens’ first five games, making 19 tackles and a pass breakup.
The Ravens also announced Wednesday morning that they had officially re-signed veteran cornerback Dominique Franks, who was with the team during the preseason and is familiar with defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ system. He is expected to compete for the No. 3 cornerback spot with Chykie Brown, but the Ravens have also used strong safety Matt Elam extensively at the nickel position this year.
Baltimore has now used the IR-designated to return tag in three straight seasons as it was given to inside linebacker Ray Lewis after a torn triceps in 2012 and to tight end Dennis Pitta after he sustained a dislocated and fractured hip in the first week of training camp last season. Both players were able to return later in those season.
