Outside linebacker Michael McAdoo hasn't played competitive football in two years.
After suffering an Achilles tendon injury last week during Organized Team Activities (OTAs), McAdoo is now expected to spend his third straight season watching from the sidelines.
But the Ravens aren't giving up on the idea that McAdoo could still make an impact in future years.
"He's not a guy we'll give up on," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "He's just going to be a project for us. He's going to get another year in the weight room and in the meetings and try to see if he can be a player next year."
McAdoo, 21, is still the youngest player on the Ravens roster.
"He's not going anywhere," Harbaugh said. "He's still a young guy."
The 6-foot-7 pass rusher was taken by the Ravens in last year's supplemental draft, after missing the 2010 season at North Carolina because of an NCAA suspension. He made the 53-man roster after playing in the final preseason game, logging a sack and a forced fumble, but the knee injury then landed him on injured reserve after the first week.
McAdoo showed potential this offseason and told BaltimoreRavens.com last week before the injury that he was "better than I thought I was going to be." He was competing for an outside linebacker spot along with Paul Kruger, Sergio Kindle, Courtney Upshaw and Albert McClellan.
"I'm disappointed for him," Harbaugh said. "You feel bad. Here's a guy that's really doing a good job, all year he's in the weight room, in the offseason he's in the weight room.
"It's just disappointing for him. That's something I know how he feels because he's worked so hard."
