McGahee to Have Surgery

McGahee to Have Surgery

Willis McGahee will have surgery on his left knee, but should be available for the regular season opener. by Mike Duffy

Head coach John Harbaugh is confident that starters Willis M^cGahee and Ed Reed will be available for the Ravens’ regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals Sept. 7.
But, each player will have to put in a considerable amount of work to be physically ready to play.
M^cGahee is scheduled to have surgery on his left knee soon in Miami, after the joint severely limited him in training camp. The Pro Bowl running back’s reps diminished over his first few days in Westminster and he rarely practiced in the past two weeks of training camp.
M^cGahee also did not play in the Ravens’ recent preseason win in New England.
Citing swelling in the knee, Harbaugh originally hoped M^cGahee could recover without surgery, but lingering effects required the minor procedure.
“We’re going to go in there and scope and clean it up just to make sure he’s going to be ready to play opening day,” Harbaugh said in his post-practice press conference. “[We need to] make sure we know exactly what’s going on in there.”
In M^cGahee’s absence, the Ravens have relied heavily on rookie Ray Rice, who rushed six times for 12 yards and had four receptions for 17 yards against the Patriots.
In fact, Rice has greatly impressed in his first professional training camp. A record-setter at Rutgers, the 5-foot-8, 205-pound cannonball is eager to create an explosive backfield with M^cGahee.
“I’m looking forward to his return to see how good a duo we could be,” Rice said.
Behind Rice are Cory Ross, Alex Haynes and rookie Allen Patrick, although fullback Le’Ron McClain has seen additional touches of late.
When asked by Sirius NFL Radio if the Ravens would pursue another prospect during Monday’s session, general manager Ozzie Newsome pointed to former Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis’ situation in 2001.
Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, Lewis suffered a knee injury in training camp that ended his season, and the Ravens were left without a reliable backup.
“That’s why we went out and drafted Ray Rice,” Newsome said.

Even if M^cGahee is scratched from the Ravens’ opening day lineup, the six-year veteran isn’t expected to miss much more time.



“There’s always a possibility [of not having M^cGahee],” admitted Harbaugh. “You never say ‘never’ on those things, but we’re confident without the scope he would’ve been ready. We just feel like this is kind of a cautionary procedure to make sure we’re right.”



Meanwhile, Reed’s return to the field Saturday was extremely visible, considering his red No. 20 jersey that prohibited him from full contact.



Reed’s left shoulder injury has not affected his mobility, but the Ravens want to be watchful of any unnecessary hits on the affected area.


“It’s really important for him to be out here moving around,” Harbaugh said. “That’s why we have the red jersey, because as a football player, changing directions – especially a DB – backpedaling, bursting, spacing, those things are going to be important for him.
“He doesn’t need the contact stuff to get ready to play, but the movement stuff is important.”
Reed was guarded about speculating whether he will start versus the Bengals, but Harbaugh was more optimistic.
“I’m not doubtful of that at all, based on what we’ve been told with the doctors,” Harbaugh said. “But I understand where, as an athlete, you want it to be right.”
Regarding roster moves, the Ravens released fullback Justin Green and placed running back P.J. Daniels (shoulder) and linebacker Prescott Burgess (wrist) on Injured Reserve.
Green, a fifth-round draft pick in 2005, posted a career-high 19 special teams stops last year.
Daniels and Burgess both ended the 2007 campaign on IR. Daniels did not play in any games with a hamstring injury, while Burgess logged eight contests before he hurt his hip in Week 8.
The Ravens also signed outside linebacker Terrence Melton, a special teams performer with four years of NFL experience (most-recently with the Carolina Panthers), and defensive tackle Darrell Campbell, who has spent time on the practice squads of the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and, most recently, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.