Ravens Defensive Tackle Placed on Injured Reserve

The Baltimore Ravens will be without a dominant interior presence along their defensive line for the remainder of the year. Despite optimism he might be able to play through his biceps injury, the team is placing defensive tackle Michael Pierce on injured reserve, likely ending his season.

Ravens officially place Michael Pierce on injured reserve https://t.co/a4pAAg1WWe
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 29, 2022

Pierce tore his biceps in the team's Week 3 win over the New England Patriots. There had been some hope the defensive tackle could perhaps manage the injury throughout the season with rest and rehab, but Pierce apparently opted for surgery. Pierce will join cornerback Kyle Fuller and outside linebacker Steven Means as key Baltimore defenders already done for the year. The Ravens defense ranks dead-last in yards allowed through three weeks.

Pierce had been off to an exceptional start to the 2022 regular season, earning an 86.9 Pro Football Focus grade in his three appearances. It was his first year back in Baltimore following a one-year sojourn with the Minnesota Vikings. Pierce initially came into the league as an undrafted free agent with the Ravens in 2016 and quickly fought his way to meaningful snaps as a big-bodied run stuffer. His absence will likely lead to more snaps for 2022 third-round pick Travis Jones. The Ravens will likely continue to struggle on defense barring a significant talent infusion before the trade deadline.