Considering injuries were such a major storyline for the Baltimore Ravens last season, recoveries are a focal point this offseason.
General Manager Ozzie Newsome provided injury updates while at the NFL Scouting Combine Wednesday on four rehabilitating Ravens: wide receiver Breshad Perriman, tight end Crockett Gillmore, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.
Perriman Back By Spring
Perriman, who missed his entire rookie season after injuring his knee in the first training camp practice, still isn't cleared to play football. However, he should be ready to do so when football activities resume.
"I can anticipate at some point this spring that he'll be out there, ready to play," Newsome said.
A reporter asked if 2016 will be the year when Newsome and the Ravens get some production out of last year's first-round pick.
"I would hope so. I thought that was going to happen last year," Newsome said.
"But I saw him in the facility before I left. He has a smile on his face, and I'm hoping that he can continue to improve in his rehab. And then once the offseason programs get here, we'll get a chance to see what he can do."
Perriman has been at the Under Armour Performance Center throughout the offseason thus far.
After being placed on injured reserve in November, Perriman said he suffered a partially torn PCL on July 30, then tore it more while trying to test the knee out before a game on Sept. 27. He didn't practice again after having a minor arthroscopic surgery.
Gillmore Having Surgeries
Perhaps the most surprising update is that Gillmore could miss much of the offseason training program.
Gillmore was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 21* *after suffering a back injury and since he was dealing with shoulder injuries.
On Thursday, Head Coach John Harbaugh said Gillmore has had both shoulders operated on because he had labral tears in each.
"Those are things that are going to be fine," Harbaugh said. "But it takes time and he's going to have to work his way back in."
General Manager Ozzie Newsome said Gillmore will "hopefully" be ready to play when training camp arrives in late July.
The Ravens' starting tight end had a breakout sophomore season with 33 catches for 412 years and four touchdowns. With him sidelined for the summer and rising sophomore Nick Boyle suspended for the first 10 games of the regular season, Maxx Williams is suddenly even more integral.
"Crockett has played very well for us. I think him getting injured at the latter part of the season really hurt us," Newsome said. "I expect Maxx Williams to make the jump most players do in their second year."
Smith And Suggs Back By Regular Season
Smith and fellow veteran Suggs are both trying to come back from torn Achilles tendons. Smith tore his Achilles on Nov. 1 midway through the season and Suggs tore his in the regular-season opener on Sept. 13. Newsome said he spoke with Suggs last week.
Based on* *Newsome's indications, both veterans are on track but could sit out the preseason.
"[Suggs is] progressing well," Newsome said. "I spoke with Dr. Anderson, because he's on one of the medical committees, and he had just saw Steve Smith, and he said he was doing very well also. And I fully anticipate that by the time we play our first game – first regular-season game – that they'll both be ready to go."
