Courtney Upshaw came in heavy as a rookie, and he's done it again entering his second year.
The Ravens outside linebacker said he most recently weighed in at 285 pounds, 13 pounds heavier than his listed weight of 272 last year.
"I've got to drop a couple pounds and get ready for the season," Upshaw said Sunday at Lardarius Webb's charity softball game. "My offseason has been kind of hectic. I had a personal issue where I had to handle that. Right now, I'm kind of trying to get back into football shape."
Upshaw participated in some of the Ravens' voluntary strength and conditioning program, and has been present for the team's Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
"I was back and forth between Alabama and Baltimore, just real personal issues that I had to handle," Upshaw said. "Just trying to drop a couple pounds and get ready for the season."
Upshaw battled weight issues last year as well. He failed his first conditioning test as a rookie, then came back and passed it later that same day. But he got in better shape as the season went on, and finished with a strong rookie campaign.
A standout edge-setting linebacker, Upshaw notched 60 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He played in all 16 games and started nine. Upshaw also forced a key fumble in Super Bowl XLVII after chasing down a play from behind.
It's not uncommon for players at Upshaw's hybrid position to see their weight fluctuate. Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs has also dealt with changes in his weight. Paul Kruger went up and down as the team bounced him between defensive end and outside linebacker. Even Jarret Johnson moved from originally being a defensive tackle to outside linebacker.
At 6-foot-2, Upshaw doesn't have the length of most top-notch pass rushers. He's bulkier, which makes him better suited as a run stuffer. Upshaw was even able to play some defensive tackle last year due to injuries on the Ravens defense.
Still, Upshaw would like to be slimmer than 285 pounds. He is set to compete with pass-rushing Elvis Dumervil for time opposite Suggs. Upshaw said he's willing to do whatever to see time on the field, even if that means sometimes moving inside. "I'm feeling good," Upshaw said. "I've just got to look good. It's not really a good look coming in heavy like the first year, but I've got to be a pro about everything. I'm trying to improve year in and year out in every aspect, and that's even with the weight issue."
