Best- And Worst-Case Scenarios For Five Players On PUP
It wasn’t a huge surprise to see the six players that will start training camp on the active physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Note the word “active,” meaning they can return to practice at any point during training camp.
We already knew outside linebackers 
The good news is injured players on the mend, including quarterback
While the list wasn’t a surprise, that doesn’t mean there aren’t questions and concerns about each player’s ability to perform at a high level once they’re on the field.
CSNMidatlantic.com writers Clifton Brown and Bo Smolka have written over the last couple of weeks the best- and worst-case scenarios for many Ravens players heading into the season, and here’s what they see for five of the players who will start camp on PUP:
Terrell Suggs
Expected return date: Unclear, but Ravens are hopeful for at least Week 1 of the regular season
Best: Makes a full recovery from Achilles injury, returns as a double-digit sack artist and three-down linebacker
Worst: Achilles injury limits Suggs and he is no longer an impact player
Steve Smith Sr.
Expected return date: Unclear, but Ravens are hopeful for at least Week 1 of the regular season
Best: Enjoys a typical 1,000-yard season, remains Ravens’ top receiver
Worst: Body betrays him; the Ravens’ depth at wide receiver reduces his playing time and role
Elvis Dumervil
Expected return date: Some time during training camp
Best: Among the NFL’s sack leaders and spearheads a rebirth of the Ravens’ pass rush
Worst: No longer an elite pass rusher
Breshad Perriman
Expected return date: Some time during training camp
Best: Becomes the playmaker the Ravens expected when they drafted him
Worst: Knee injury keeps him off the field for an extended period
Trent Richardson
Expected return date: Some time during training camp
Best/Worst: CSN didn’t do a complete best- and worst-case look at Richardson, but offered this upon the PUP announcements: “His lingering hamstring issue could ruin his bid for an NFL comeback. The Ravens are deep at running back, and Richardson needs to get healthy to have any chance to win a roster spot.”
Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell Facing Four-Game Suspension
One of the NFL’s top running backs, the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell, is reportedly facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy by missing a drug test.
If the suspension is indeed enforced, he’ll still be free to play in the AFC North showdown with the Ravens in Week 9. But his absence will have an indirect effect on the Ravens’ bid to regain the division crown.
“[I]t certainly could affect how the AFC North plays out, as the Steelers are considered by many pundits as the preseason favorite to win the division,” wrote The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec. “Pittsburgh is already playing the season without wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who was suspended for at least a year for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
“Now, Bell, one of the league's top all-purpose backs, will be suspended for the first four games unless he wins his appeal.”
#Le'Veon Bell is a terrific talent, but at this point #Steelers have to be concerned he can't seen to avoid trouble-injuries. #RavensTalk
— Clifton BrownCSN (@CliftonBrownCSN) July 22, 2016
Suspension Latest Setback For Former Raven Arthur Jones
Former Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones is also facing suspension for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL policy on PEDs.
As The Baltimore Sun points out, this is the latest setback for Jones after he Ravens allowed him to walk via free agency for a big payday in Indianapolis in 2014. Jones had developed in Baltimore as a former fifth-round pick, and Colts Head Coach and former Ravens Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano was hoping Jones’ ascension would continue.
It hasn’t worked out that way.
After leaving Ravens and signing 5-year, $33 mill deal w/Colts, Art Jones has played in just 9 games over 2 seasons. Now, he's suspended.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) July 22, 2016
Those guys in the #Ravens front office know a thing or two, don't they? https://t.co/CFOqAYyRiK
— Samuel Njoku (@SamNjokuCBS) July 22, 2016
Flacco Has Same MVP Odds As Winston And Mariota
Sixteen quarterbacks have a better chance of winning the 2016 NFL MVP award than Flacco, according to sportsbook Bovada.lv.
Flacco received 100/1 odds to win the league’s most prominent distinction, which is the same as the Titans’ Marcus Mariota and the Bucs’ Jameis Winston. Giving a Super Bowl MVP and two second-year players the same odds didn’t sit right with Brown.
“People who think Flacco is an elite quarterback may view that as disrespect,” Brown wrote.
“[D]o Blake Bortles (66/1) of the Jaguars or Brock Osweiler of the Texans (66/1) really have a better chance of winning the MVP than Flacco? … That’s also an indication that not much is expected from the Ravens overall after their 5-11 season. The better your team does, the better your chances of winning the MVP.”
The quarterbacks at the top of the list are more understandable:
Packers’ Aaron Rodgers (4/1)
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger (7/1)
Panthers’ Cam Newton (15/2)
Seahawks’ Russell Wilson (8/1)
Patriots’ Tom Brady (9/1)
Quick Hits
#11 on the @Ravens.
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) July 23, 2016
#15 in our WR grades last year.@KamarAiken88 has come a long way since being undrafted in 2011. pic.twitter.com/2UovUfxVPe
Eventually, CB JumalRolle will be transferred to "reserve" PUP & will miss at least 6 games (or IR). Won't then count against roster limit.
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) July 23, 2016
Ravens roster is currently at 89, so there's 1 open spot. Would expect some tryouts over the weekend & that spot to be filled early next wk.
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) July 22, 2016
BREAKING: Former Vikings, Cardinals coach Dennis Green has died of cardiac arrest. He was 67. pic.twitter.com/6zyOSPkhpi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 22, 2016
Oh wow terrible news. Prayers up for family and loved ones! #RIP https://t.co/mLLAZ1WBqZ
—Justin Forsett (@JForsett) July 22, 2016
Ravens rookies dish out lunch and encouragement at substance abuse shelter https://t.co/AnEAP26y9T pic.twitter.com/ZJBFyfkSBZ
— Baltimore Sun Sports (@BaltSunSports) July 22, 2016
— Baltimore Sun Sports (@BaltSunSports) July 24, 2016
Terrance West gives back to local kids with free football camp https://t.co/NKOdPKP03u pic.twitter.com/oWZHMg6AZK
