National Football League

Lewis out for year with torn triceps

Published Oct. 16, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will be sidelined for the season because of a torn triceps, FOXSports.com has learned. An MRI examination Monday revealed a complete tear of the muscle.

Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed the report in a Monday news conference.

''Ray in the locker room afterward, we didn't know (the extent of the injury) but he was worried about it,'' Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday. ''He said some things about his faith. He said some things that I'll never forget.''

It has been widely speculated that Lewis, who is in his 17th year in the NFL, would retire after this season.

''That's for Ray to speak on,'' Harbaugh said.

Lewis is the latest casualty of a rash of injuries that has struck the Baltimore defense. Cornerback Lardarius Webb, who tore his ACL in Sunday’s win against the Dallas Cowboys, will also be lost for the season.

''I'm disappointed for those guys,'' Harbaugh said. ''It doesn't matter how I or someone else feels about it. It's their thing. These are guys that put so much effort, heart and soul into what they do.''

Webb missed the latter part of his rookie season in 2009 with a torn right ACL, and now he's facing surgery again.

''Lardarius was distraught. I could see it when I walked onto the field, on his face,'' Harbaugh said. ''He kind of knew because he's been through it before. I just felt like he knew. He was just beside himself.''

Webb, who turned 27 last week, probably has many years left to play. Lewis' status is not as certain.

Lewis missed four games last year with a toe injury. During the week and on game day he cheered for his teammates and offered encouragement. That, evidently, will be his job over the next few months.

''When you look at his situation and what he's accomplished, and what he was hoping to accomplish this year, he's going to have to accomplish those things in different ways because that's the way it's gone,'' Harbaugh said. ''He puts his faith in providence. That's where he's going to go with that.''

Jameel McClain and Dannell Ellerbe will fill the void left by Lewis' absence. It's the same role they filled last year.

''Those guys have played a lot of football and we've got a lot of confidence in those guys, Jameel and Dannell,'' Harbaugh said. ''We feel good about that.''

The Ravens (5-1) have struggled to make up for the loss of linebacker Terrell Suggs, who is recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon. Baltimore yielded 487 yards, a franchise-record 227 on the ground, against Dallas on Sunday.

Next on the schedule for Baltimore is a trip to Houston (5-1) in a rematch of last year's playoff game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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