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Knock on wood right now. Seriously, I'll wait for you.... You done knocking? Good! The NFL has seen it's fair share of injuries during OTAs and training camp. Luckily for the Ravens, they aren't on that list.
The Dallas Cowboys were one of the first teams this year to get bit by the injury bug when linebacker Sean Lee went down with a major knee injury. It was reported that he tore his ACL and some of his meniscus which likely ends his season and hits a Cowboys team that had no depth at the position and desperately needed Lee to remain healthy this season.
The Ravens got hit in big way last season when tight end Dennis Pitta went down with a fractured and dislocated hip. The offense clearly needed Pitta running routes and without that presence, began to unravel over the remaining offseason, preseason and regular season to finish at a disappointing 8-8. Now Pitta wasn't the only injury during the season and it wasn't the only reason for the Ravens mediocre season, but any major injuries completely derail a season.
We've seen it before when Jamal Lewis went down with a knee injury following the team's Super Bowl season. The Ravens weren't able to account for his yardage and overall ability in the offense and ultimately failed to live up to expectations that year as well.
While this offseason has had it's own problems in regards to players doing stupid things and getting in trouble with the law, no players are expected to miss time outside of running back Ray Rice. The Ravens went into the draft expecting his likely suspension and were able to sign veteran Justin Forsett and draft rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro, who then got into a fight with a window, to go with third year player Bernard Pierce and sure up the backfield.
Hopefully the remainder of OTAs, training camp and preseason goes by with all the players coming out clean and healthy for the tough 16 game season that is the NFL. The Ravens will need every player to be at the top of their game this season if they expect to go back to the playoffs and succeed.