Ravens place defensive end Brent Urban on injured reserve - designated to return

As was expected by a lot of Ravens analysts, including yours truly, defensive end Brent Urban has been moved to injured reserve - designated to return according to Ryan Mink of the Baltimore Ravens site. The adjustment will allow Urban to return week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, following the team's bye week.

Unlike safety Matt Elam, who also tore his biceps, Urban had quick surgery to repair the damage and looked like a better bet to return at some point during the season. After six weeks, Urban will be allowed to practice with the team in order to get back into the flow of things and knock off some of the rust from sitting so long. After Urban begins practicing, there is a three-week window where he has to be elevated to the active roster or put on season ending injured reserve. The special injured reserve designation is allowed to only one player every season for each team, making Urban the guy the Ravens feel like can return to action best.

The Ravens were getting light on the defensive line with injuries after the departure of Haloti Ngata to Detroit this offseason. The second-year defensive lineman missed last season with an ACL injury but looked good during training camp, routinely tipping or batting down balls at the line of scrimmage. At 6-foot-7 and 295-pounds, the fourth round defensive end could be a force along the defensive line and should spell veteran Chris Canty at times during the season to keep both players fresh.

There was talk early in training camp that Urban could even take over for Canty once the veteran decides to hang up his cleats for good. Hopefully for the Ravens and Urban, he is able to return this season and can make an immediate impact.