A big sticking point of the lockout dispute last offseason was about offseason practices. The players got what they wanted, fewer mandated offseason practices, but it appears it’s backfired in their faces at least for Terrell Suggs and Jason Peters. With fewer mandated practices, players have to stay in shape on their own and sometimes when they attempt to do that, they get hurt, like Peters and Suggs did. Unfortunately, if a player gets hurt on his own, they’re often in breach of contract and liable to forfeit part or all of their salary for the upcoming season, whereas that would not be the case if they were injured during team activities.

While the Eagles are expected to take back 3.25 million from Jason Peters (they amount it cost them to sign replacement Demetress Bell), the Ravens will not be doing the same with Terrell Suggs, this according to the Baltimore Sun. Rather than putting him on the non-football injury list, they’ll reportedly be placing him on the PUP list with his torn Achilles to start the season, allowing him to continue getting paychecks.

This is a classy move for a proud organization and one of its best players and the reigning defensive player of the year. However, it does make you wonder if the same thing would have happened if the Ravens had been forced to go external for a replacement like the Eagles, rather than promoting from within. 2^nd round rookie Courtney Upshaw to expected to see the bulk of Suggs’ old snaps, but Paul Kruger and Pernell McPhee could also see increases in playing time. The Ravens optimistic expect Suggs back by November, but that would be a major recovery.

[switch_ad_hub]