Even though running back **Willis McGahee** heads a lengthy list of Ravens who will open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, it is not expected that he will linger there for long.
And that goes for the 10 other players joining him.
Head coach **John Harbaugh** announced after Tuesday morning's practice that McGahee (knee), wide receiver **Yamon Figurs** (foot), cornerback **Samari Rolle** (groin), tight end Davon Drew (undisclosed), linebacker **Jason Phillips** (knee) and defensive tackle **Lamar Divens** (undisclosed) are all currently on the PUP list.
In addition, the offensive line was extremely thin, as guards **Ben Grubbs** (undisclosed) and Marshal Yanda (knee), and tackles **Adan Terry** (knee), **Joe Reitz** (undisclosed) and **Lou Saucedo** (undisclosed) also received the designation.
Many of the players, however, should be available at some point during training camp.
"Most of this is temporary PUP," Harbaugh said. "We want to make sure these guys can practice. We put them through a conditioning test as part of the physical. These guys have had injuries in the past, and we want to make certain situations react positively to the work."
McGahee actually thought he was participating, but the Ravens wanted to see how his knee would react to a light workout following offseason surgery.
The former Pro Bowler expressed surprise when asked about his status.
"You know more than I do," he told reporters. "They don't want to overdo things, is what I'm thinking. There was no pain. It was just a regular, old knee. We don't want the same thing that happened last year to happen."
It was around this point last year when McGahee's knee was more of a problem. Coming off a 2007 campaign where he totaled 1,483 total yards, McGahee did not report to 2008's training camp in optimal shape and missed most of the preseason because of arthoscopic knee surgery.
McGahee then finished with a career-low 671 rushing yards and only eight starts.
"It was fine during the time after OTAs, but when I came back to camp, [the knee injury] flared up," McGahee said. "I should have just gotten it taken care of a lot earlier."
McGahee said he feels he is now in "fighting shape" and showed as much, running post-practice drills with assistant coach **Wilbert Montgomery**.
With a big smile on his face and a towel on his sweat-beaded head, McGahee stated his determination to reclaim the starting spot that was filled by Ray Rice during Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
"I'm looking forward to this season," explained McGahee, who appeared lean and fit thanks to what he called an expanded workout regimen. "It's going to be a good season, I can feel it in my bones."
McGahee will likely begin that quest in the coming week. Players that begin training camp on the PUP list are not allowed to practice with the team but can return to the active roster at any time. If a player starts camp on the active roster, he is not able to then move to the PUP list.
To McGahee, neither the time nor the place matter.
"I'm ready," he simply said. "Whoever, whenever."
