Ray Lewis could return this season, says Ravens' coach John Harbaugh

The Ravens aren't ruling out a return for Ray Lewis this season. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

When Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis had surgery on Oct. 16 to repair a torn triceps that he suffered days earlier in a win against the Dallas Cowboys, the prognosis was reportedly that he would miss the remainder of the season. The team, as expected, placed him on the injured reserve list but with a tag attached to it; Lewis is listed as "designated to return" and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told the media on Wednesday that he's leaving open the possibility of Lewis' return this season, according to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com:

"Obviously, it's a very serious injury. But there's an opportunity, and we're going to keep the door open, and we'll just see where that goes, going forward. We really don't know any more than that. He will have surgery today."

Because he was placed on the injured list, by rule, Lewis, who leads the team in tackles, has to now sit out for the next eight weeks. But he will be eligible to practice with the Ravens in six weeks and could return to game-action for Week 15.

The news of Lewis' possible return this season also comes on the same day that linebacker Terrell Suggs returned to practice after missing several months with a torn right Achilles tendon. Suggs, who was named the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, isn't expected to play in the Ravens' game on Sunday at Houston against the Texans.