OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Despite being designated to return from injured reserve and briefly practicing three weeks ago, Ravens defensive end Derek Wolfe isn’t expected to play this season because of a back injury.
Though general manager Eric DeCosta hadn’t yet made an official transaction with Wolfe’s 21-day practice window set to expire, head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the 31-year-old was “not in a place where he’s going to be able to play” this season, a difficult blow for a defensive line that was hoping to add an impact veteran for the stretch run.
“That’s not going to be looking good this year. I think Derek is going to be out for the rest of the year, in all honesty,” Harbaugh said. “It looks that way. I don’t really have any details on it. I can’t say that I understand it completely. It would be a good question for our medical people or for Eric if they want to put a statement out or if Derek wants to say something because I won’t get it right exactly.”
Despite Wolfe hurting his back during a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers in training camp, the ailment — which was later listed as a back and hip injury on officially injury reports — was initially described as minor and he attempted to practice just a few days later. However, he last did on-field work on Aug. 23 and was deactivated for the first three games of the regular season before being placed on injured reserve on Oct. 2. At that point, Harbaugh said Wolfe was feeling better and simply needed time to train and get back into shape before returning to game action.
That plan appeared to be on track when Wolfe was designated to return to practice from IR during the bye week. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive lineman was suited up and practicing during the viewing portion of an Oct. 26 workout, but he was again absent by the time the Ravens returned to the practice field the following week to prepare for the Week 9 clash with Minnesota. That was obviously a troubling sign with Harbaugh acknowledging on Nov. 5 that Wolfe’s back was “not feeling good” and “not there yet.”
Despite missing 20 games over his previous seven campaigns due to an array of injuries, the former Denver Bronco had thrived in his first year with the Ravens last season, playing in all but two contests and matching his career high with 51 tackles. Playing a standout run-stopping role on the defensive line with fellow veteran starters Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams both missing multiple games in the second half of the season, Wolfe registered a sack and a team-high six tackles in the playoff win at Tennessee and was praised by Harbaugh after the victory for being “one of the best leaders I’ve ever seen.” His 2020 efforts prompted DeCosta to re-sign Wolfe to a three-year, $12 million contract with $8.5 million in total guarantees in March.
Wolfe missing the entire season will surely raise questions about his future as he’s set to make $2 million and carry a $3.8 million salary cap figure for 2022. However, releasing the 2012 second-round pick out of Cincinnati would save just $200,000 in cap space and result in $3.6 million in dead money charged to the cap.
With Wolfe now out for the season, the Ravens will continue to lean on second-year defensive tackle Justin Madubuike as Wolfe’s primary replacement in the base defense. Madubuike, a third-round pick out of Texas A&M, has started five games and appeared in all but one, but the 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman hasn’t had the breakout campaign many anticipated.
Whether Wolfe remains in the plans for 2022 or not, the Ravens will surely need to make the defensive line a major offseason focus with Campbell, Williams, and backup Justin Ellis all over age 30 and scheduled to become free agents. Williams, 32, has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury sustained in the Week 7 loss to Cincinnati.
Wolfe becomes the seventh starter or significant contributor from last year’s team to sustain a season-ending injury, joining running backs J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Gus Edwards (knee), cornerback Marcus Peters (knee), inside linebacker L.J. Fort (knee), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), and safety DeShon Elliott (pectoral/biceps).
Other injury notes: Harbaugh said Tavon Young’s foot injury “doesn’t look real severe” and the veteran slot corner has a chance to play against Chicago on Sunday. “That was fortunate for us.” … After being reinstated to the 53-man roster last week, tight end Nick Boyle (back) didn’t play against Miami last Thursday, but Harbaugh confirmed he was close to playing without providing further details. … After being designated to return to practice from IR last week, rookie third-round guard Ben Cleveland (knee) will be a game-day option “coming up,” but it’s unclear whether he’ll be ready to play against the Bears, per Harbaugh.
