FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 1/29/2013 11:58pm et

Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis denied using deer antler extract to help recover from a triceps injury during Super Bowl media day. According to a Sports Illustrated reports, Lewis may have used deer antler velvet spray. The spray has IGF-1 in it, and that substance is on the NFL's list of banned substances. With the Super Bowl this week, it is doubtful the NFL could do anything about this report.

Huddle Up: Lewis and controversy never have been far apart in his NFL career, and the buildup to his final game only is keeping in line with the trend.

Posted: 1/29/2013 1:17pm et

Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed thinks it is possible LB Ray Lewis could play next season. 'I wouldn't be so certain about that.' Reed said of Lewis' last game. 'Ray might make a comeback. He might play 10 games next year.'

Huddle Up: After all the pomp, circumstance, tears and tributes this postseason, surely Reed has to be kidding ...

Posted: 1/24/2013 1:26pm et

The Baltimore Ravens did not practice Wednesday, Jan. 23, but they were required to release an estimated injury report for Super Bowl XLVI. The team listed 15 players that would not have practiced Wednesday if the team would have practiced. WR Anquan Boldin (shoulder), LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle, back), CB Asa Jackson (hamstring), FB Vonta Leach (ankle, knee), LB Ray Lewis (triceps), LB Albert McClellan (shoulder), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh), DT Haloti Ngata (knee), RB Bernard Pierce (knee), SS Bernard Pollard (ribs), WR David Reed (hamstring), FS Ed Reed (shoulder), CB Jimmy Smith (hernia), LB Terrell Suggs (Achilles', biceps) and OG Marshal Yanda (shoulder) were listed as having not practiced.

Huddle Up: The Ravens' wings were clipped by injuries and absences over the second half of the regular season but they've been a picture of health during the postseason and it's been one of the key cogs in their run to the AFC title.

Posted: 1/6/2013 11:02am et

After the Houston Texans won their AFC Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Jan. 5, that clinched that Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis will play his last home game in Baltimore Sunday, Jan. 6. The playoffs cannot go back to Baltimore, the lowest-remaining seed in the AFC playoffs, again this season.

Huddle Up: Expect an electric atmosphere and an inspired effort from an embattled Ravens defense Sunday in Baltimore. It's a combination that the young Colts are going to find tough to overcome.

Posted: 1/2/2013 2:24pm et

Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis confirmed Wednesday, Jan. 2, he will play in the team's Wild Card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 6. "There is no reason for me not to be playing Sunday," Lewis said. Lewis said his injured triceps feels 100 percent; however, he won't know entirely until he's out on the field playing in a game. Lewis also told the team he will retire after the team's playoff run.

Huddle Up: Lewis isn't the player he once was, but at minimum he'll supply an emotional lift to the Ravens for their playoff opener.

Posted: 12/22/2012 6:22pm et

Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis (triceps) will not play in Week 16 and is not expected to come off the Injured Reserve/Designated to Return list before the end of the regular season. He could return for the playoffs if he is healthy enough.

Huddle Up: The Ravens need to break out of their late-season swoon, but with a postseason berth already locked up, they need Lewis for the playoffs even more. This gives the veteran LB 2 more weeks to get ready.

Posted: 12/21/2012 7:31pm et

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh would not say if LB Ray Lewis (triceps) will be activated from the Injured Reserve/Designated to Return list before their Week 16 game.

Huddle Up: The Ravens continue to be coy about Lewis, who's been out since Week 6 but has practicing for the past 3 weeks. An official decision, though, on whether to add the LB to the roster needs to be made Sat. afternoon.

Posted: 12/15/2012 4:58pm et

The Baltimore Ravens will not activate LB Ray Lewis (triceps) from the Injured Reserve/Designated to Return list before their Week 15 game.

Huddle Up: The Ravens were hoping to have their team leader on the field for the first time since Week 6, but they'll have to press on without him as they try and right the ship Sunday against the red-hot Broncos.

Posted: 12/14/2012 11:25pm et

There is some doubt to whether Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis (triceps) will return in Week 15.

Huddle Up: The Ravens are hoping this would be the week for their emotional leader's return, but they might have to try to end their 2-game skid without him.

Posted: 12/5/2012 7:05pm et

Updating a previous report, Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis (triceps) participated in practice Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Huddle Up: Finally, a positive development for the Ravens' D, which could have Lewis back on the field in Week 15.

Posted: 12/4/2012 11:42am et

Baltimore Ravens MLB Ray Lewis could return to practice Wednesday, Dec. 5, seven weeks removed from triceps surgery.

Huddle Up: It's a rapid recovery for Ray, and he's no lock to play this weekend. But it certainly looks as if the Ravens will get their emotional leader back in time for the postseason, if not sooner.

Posted: 11/26/2012 11:37am et

Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis is expected to return before the end of the season, perhaps as early as Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, according to numerous sources. According to a source close to Lewis, the 37-year-old linebacker has been aggressively treating his triceps injury with a variation of the platelet-rich plasma therapy that helped former NFL WR Hines Ward return from a knee sprain to play in the team's Super Bowl XLIII victory. The source said Lewis could practice as soon as this week.

Huddle Up: While Lewis may no longer be playing at an elite level he's still the emotional heart and soul of the Baltimore defense. A late-season return could provide quite a spark to the Ravens, whose defense has been far from the shut-down unit it once was.

Posted: 10/17/2012 12:27pm et

Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis (triceps) has been placed on the Injured Reserve/Designated to Return list.

Huddle Up: This is an interesting development. Normally a full muscle tear would knock any player out for the entire season, without question, but Ray Lewis is no mere mortal. While it might be a longshot to think Lewis would be able to return this season, maybe he is shooting for the playoffs. This means he will not be back to help that injury-depleted Ravens defense during the fantasy season, and they will continue to be a great matchup for opposing running backs.

Posted: 10/17/2012 12:40am et

The Baltimore Ravens listed LB Jameel McClain at LB Ray Lewis' middle linebacker spot and LB Dannell Ellerbe at weakside inside linebacker on the team's weekly depth chart.

Huddle Up: The Ravens' defense/special teams has been more than solid in fantasy terms so far, tied for sixth overall with 54 points in Huddle Peformance scoring, but the team's 3 defensive/special teams TDs have masked some un-Raven-like deficiencies such as a lack of sacks (10 in 6 games) and an average of more than 400 yards allowed per outing. Those problem areas only figure to get worse with the likes of Lewis and top CB Ladarius Webb now out for the season.

Posted: 10/15/2012 6:57pm et

Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis (triceps) will miss the rest of the year after suffering a complete tear of the triceps in the team�s Week 6 game.

Huddle Up: A blow to the Ravens psyche if nothing else. One wonders if Lewis may have played his last game at LB for the Ravens

Posted: 10/14/2012 10:00pm et

Updating a previous report, Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis will have an MRI Monday, Oct. 15, on his right triceps. The team fears he tore the triceps muscle in the Week 6 win against the Dallas Cowboys.

Huddle Up: If it is torn, the Ravens' leading tackler -- not to mention the heart-and soul of their defense -- would be lost for the season.

Posted: 8/7/2012 8:06pm et

Baltimore Ravens MLB Ray Lewis looks closer to 230 pounds this year. He has shed weight to improve his speed with hopes of being a three-down player for the Ravens. At this point, it appears he has held onto his role as a full-time starter.

Huddle Up: Would any NFL observer expect anything less from this guy? Entering his 17th pro season, the Ravens' unquestioned leader knew he had to make some adjustments to combat Father Time, and it looks like those changes are paying off. Lewis missed a trio of games last season with a toe injury, but still finished with 115 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an interception. Look for him to better those numbers if he can play more downs and avoid major injury this year.