The outside linebacker position will get more crowded when Terrell Suggs comes of PUP.
The 2012 season has been a slow start for third-year outside linebacker Sergio Kindle.
Playing time has been sparse for the former second-round draft pick, and with Terrell Suggs eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list next week, competition will get even tighter.
"I'm just staying patient right now and controlling what I can control," Kindle said. "Everything will fall into place eventually."
After Sunday's game, the Ravens have three weeks to put Suggs back on the active roster. Head Coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week that he’s not exactly sure when Suggs will return, but it could be as early as the Week 7 game against Houston.
The team will have to clear a roster spot to activate Suggs, and Kindle could be among the potential candidates on the bubble simply because they play the same position. The Ravens could also opt to cut a player at a different position.
Kindle is behind Paul Kruger, Courtney Upshaw and Albert McClellan on the depth chart, and he knows that adding Suggs to the mix will make it difficult for him to get on the field.
"Of course when Suggs come back, he's going to play," Kindle said. "My thought process is to keep doing what I'm doing now and then hopefully my turn will come."
Kindle has been active for one game this season, which came in Week 2 against the Eagles when Kruger was out with an injury. Kindle played behind Upshaw and McClellan, working primarily as a pass rusher, and finished the game with one tackle.
It was the first opportunity of his career to get significant time on defense.
"With it being the first time, I wasn't really myself because I was more worried about not making a mistake than actually making a play," Kindle said. "That kind of took away from my game. I didn't do anything wrong that game, but I didn't do anything good."
Kindle's path to this point has been an uphill road after suffering a head injury on the eve of his rookie training camp in 2010. He's made significant strides over the last two years, and feels he's on the cusp of making an impact on the field.
"I just have to do my part, control what I can control, and as long as I keep doing that, eventually it will happen," Kindle said. "That's how I look at it. I just have to continue, and when my number is called, answer."
