While most of Baltimore anticipates the return of Terrell Suggs sometime after the bye week, linebacker Sergio Kindle is probably the least excited.
Kindle was on the bubble when the Ravens solidified their 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp and hasn’t shown coaches enough to increase his playing time.
During the Ravens’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kindle was activated and recorded his first and only career tackle. Linebacker Paul Kruger sat out the game to nurse a back injury, which prompted Kindle’s playing time.
Kindle has been a non-factor and can’t routinely crack the active roster even on a Ravens defense that has struggled mightily to sack opposing quarterbacks. Throughout the first five games of the season, the Ravens have nine sacks, which is tied for 19th overall in the league.
Eventually, the return of the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year will prompt the Ravens to make a roster move. With Suggs’s return to the team – whenever that may be – Kindle’s roster spot is likely to be revoked.
After Sunday’s game, Suggs will be removed from the PUP list and then has three weeks to practice before having to be added to the active roster.
With Kindle playing behind Kruger, Courtney Upshaw and Albert McClellan, it’s highly likely he’ll be the odd man out.
If released, Kindle will have to go unclaimed on waivers before the Ravens could retain his services for their practice squad if they would like keep him around. Kindle is still eligible for the practice squad in Baltimore or elsewhere because he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list after his accident.
During his eligible football career, he’s only been activated for game play three times.
Regardless of whether the Ravens decide to remove Kindle or someone else from their 53-man roster once Suggs returns, his story remains a sad one. He had all of the talent anyone could ask for but, as it happens many times in football, injuries got in the way.
The one thing Kindle should hang his hat on for the rest of his life is the fact the he defied odds to even step onto a field again, let alone make an NFL 53-man roster.
