The Baltimore Ravens have struggled with their pass rush this season. They have 10 sacks in six games and have been without 2011 Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs, who combined for 25 sacks the last two seasons.
The lack of a pass rush has affected the entire defense. Quarterbacks have been more comfortable than ever against the Ravens and have averaged nearly 400 passing yards. That has placed even more pressure on a secondary that has lost cornerback Lardarius Webb (knee) and linebacker Ray Lewis (triceps) to injuries.
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The Ravens announced Saturday that Suggs (Achilles tendon) was moved from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and placed on the active 53-man roster. NFL Network has learned that he is expected to play against the Houston Texans.
There's no telling how many snaps Suggs will get or how close he is to 100 percent. It's doubtful coach Jim Harbaugh would play Suggs if there was an increased risk of injury.
Suggs' return, at the very least, will be a major morale boost for the Ravens' defense, defensive coordinator Dean Pees told NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport this week.
"To get a guy back like that," Pees said. "He's been in our room and been in the meetings and everything. He hasn't missed anything since he's been off. He's been incredible. He's been in the room kind of absorbing it, but not being the Suggs that we've always known as interacting in the room. Now he's interacting, which is a great thing. It's a boost all the way across for all of us."
The Ravens need a pass rush this week. The Texans have one of the NFL's most prolific offenses and would like to end an 0-6 run against the Ravens. The defense cannot let quarterback Matt Schaub camp out in the pocket and pick apart the unit with wide receivers Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and tight end Owen Daniels. Suggs also upgrades the No. 26-ranked run defense, as running back Arian Foster leads the league in attempts.
With stars dropping like flies on the Baltimore defense, Ravens fans will be grateful to get one back.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
