During the third quarter of Sunday's game, Patrick Ricard had the kind of moment he lives for.
Derrick Henry had the football. Ricard was the lead blocker. Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards was in the way.
Ricard and Edwards collided, and Edwards got the worst of it – by far. The 228-pound Edwards went flying backward and landed on his rear end.
After a six-game absence, "Pancake Pat" was back. He relished the play and talked a little smack to Edwards afterward.
"That was worth everything right there," Ricard said after Baltimore's 30-16 victory. "Through all my rehab and everything, and to finally play and to get that hit, it felt really good, and I had to let him know."
The return of their five-time Pro Bowl fullback from a nagging calf injury is another reason the Ravens believe their running attack is about to take off. They are ranked No. 8 in the NFL in rushing after Sunday's victory, but the Ravens led the league in rushing in 2024 and believe they can do that again.
For Ricard, who had not missed a game since 2021, sitting out the first six games was torture, especially since Baltimore was 1-5 without him. Ricard originally suffered the injury during training camp, and it was slow to come around after he aggravated his calf a few weeks later.
"I'm the type of guy that, if I'm healthy, and I'm ready to go, I'll go," Ricard said. "But it was just taking longer than we all thought it would.
"It was unfortunate, and it was really frustrating. It was just one of those things where I couldn't completely push through it. I've had so many injuries in my life from high school, college, and the NFL, and it was one of those ones where, if I tried to push through it when it was healing, I maybe would've reinjured it again, and then maybe my whole season was over."
However, neither Ricard nor the Ravens' season is over. Ricard's athleticism allows Baltimore to utilize his blocking ability in a variety of formations.
Ricard played 14 snaps against the Bears and was tied for the second-highest grade (76.6) among offensive players by Pro Football Focus.
"Just the physical presence Patrick Ricard brings, it's a game changer," Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum said. "Obviously, the more comfortable he gets back into playing, obviously, the more we'll work him in."
If Lamar Jackson (hamstring) returns to the lineup on Thursday night to face the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore's offense could be at full strength for the first time all season. Ricard wants to put the calf injury behind him and help the Ravens stack victories moving forward. His 2025 debut was a step in that direction.
"I had great support with my teammates, my trainers, and my coaches to get me to this point," Ricard said.
"To not be able to [play] was just gut-wrenching because seeing how hard our team was playing and just not getting the results – and knowing I could help this team – it was tough. But I'm just happy to be back now."
