Ravens lose Lewis, Webb for season

BALTIMORE, Maryland (AFP) –

The Baltimore Ravens, off to a 5-1 start in the National Football League campaign, have lost veteran linebacker Ray Lewis, pictured in September 2012, and defensive back Ladarius Webb for the season, coach John Harbaugh said.

The Baltimore Ravens, off to a 5-1 start in the National Football League campaign, have lost veteran linebacker Ray Lewis and defensive back Ladarius Webb for the season, coach John Harbaugh said.

In messages posted on the team’s Twitter account, Harbaugh said that Lewis suffered a torn right triceps and Webb suffered a torn left knee ligament in Sunday’s 31-29 home victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

MRI exams on Monday confirmed the team’s worst fears about both players, but also showed that defensive tackle Haloti Ngata’s knee injury in only a mild strain.

Lewis leads the Ravens with 57 tackles in six games this season and has been a major force for the defense-minded club, the unit having led Baltimore to a Super Bowl crown in 2001.

Harbaugh said he was not even contemplating commenting on whether or not emotional team leader Lewis, 37, might have suffered a career-ending injury.

Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers has a pass defended by Ladarius Webb of the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. The Baltimore Ravens, off to a 5-1 start in the National Football League campaign, have lost veteran linebacker Ray Lewis and defensive back Ladarius Webb for the season, coach John Harbaugh said.

“That’s for Ray to speak on,” Harbaugh said.

But Harbaugh did say he was confident in Webb’s chances to return to his cornerback slot next year. Webb tore right knee ligaments in 2009.

“He will be back,” Harbaugh said. “He has been through this before.”

The Ravens will next face Houston, also 5-1, on Sunday.