OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs will have surgery for a partially torn Achilles tendon, an injury he insists will not keep him sidelined for the entire 2012 season.
The injury occurred in Arizona while Suggs was practicing for an upcoming conditioning test, he said Thursday in a text message.
Suggs initially thought it was a sprain but a doctor determined that it was a partial tear, he said.
Suggs, the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, is expected to have surgery as soon as next week. A torn Achilles tendon usually requires a lengthy rehabilitation program, but Suggs has no intention of sitting out the year, even predicting he’ll return by October or November.
The injury is a major blow to a stout defense that also features linebacker Ray Lewis, safety Ed Reed and tackle Haloti Ngata. Suggs had 14 sacks last season, forced a franchise-record seven fumbles and received his fifth Pro Bowl invitation in helping the Ravens win the AFC North with a 12-4 record.
Seau’s family to decide if brain will be studied
SAN DIEGO — Junior Seau’s death has been ruled a suicide by the San Diego County medical examiner’s office.
An autopsy Thursday confirmed that the former NFL linebacker died of a gunshot wound to the chest, the medical examiner’s office said.
Officials said they were awaiting a decision by the family on whether to turn over Seau’s brain to unidentified outside researchers for study.
Seau died Wednesday in his home in suburban Oceanside.
Police Chief Frank McCoy said Seau’s girlfriend reported finding him unconscious with a gunshot wound to the chest and lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful. A gun was found near him, McCoy said. Police said no suicide note was found and they didn’t immediately know who the gun was registered to.
Lions make offer to RB Grant
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Free agent running back Ryan Grant is considering a contract offer from the Detroit Lions, according to his agent. He played the past five seasons for the Green Bay Packers.
Grant, 29, has played in 63 career games, gaining 4,016 yards and scoring 25 touchdowns rushing. He had back-to-back 1,200-yard seasons in 2008 and 2009.
Around the league
PATRIOTS: Receiver Tiquan Underwood, best known for being released on the night before the Super Bowl, has been cut again by New England. The Patriots let him go to make room for defensive lineman Gerard Warren, who has spent the past two seasons with the Patriots.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville released cornerback Drew Coleman after one season. Coleman played in all 16 games last season and saw action in nearly 50 percent of the defensive snaps as a nickel cornerback.
BEARS: Safety Winston Venable was waived by Chicago, An undrafted free agent out of Boise State a year ago, Venable appeared in 12 games and had 10 special teams tackles for the Bears.
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