Jameel McClain's Recovery 'Slower Than We Had Hoped'

Jameel McClain is playing the waiting game.

The inside linebacker suffered a spinal cord contusion last season against the Redskins and has made progress in his recovery. However, McClain opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Doctors have yet to clear him and now it's a matter of getting that clearance to return to the field.

"Jameel is a tougher one to predict because he’s got the back issue – it’s a spinal cord issue," coach John Harbaugh told reporters after practice. "That just has to heal. Until that heals and we have proof that it’s healed, he’s not going to be out there. Doctors had anticipated that he would be out here by this time. It’s a little slower maybe than we had hoped, but when he’s ready, he’ll be out there. So he’s going to continue to take some tests, he’ll take some more tests tomorrow, and we’ll have more for you on that on Thursday."

Earlier this offseason, defenensive coordinator Dean Pees said McClain will be a starter whenever he's able to practice. McClain adds a veteran presence to a mostly young group of inside linebackers, excluding newcomer Daryl Smith.

McClain signed with the Ravens as an undrafted rookie in 2008. Since then, he's amassed 280 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and one interception.

In other injury news, Harbaugh said cornerback Lardarius Webb will not be placed on the PUP list as the star cornerback.

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