Elvis Dumervil practicing again

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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M

Baltimore Ravens star outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil missed last week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings with an ankle injury, and he was never expected to play after being listed doubtful on the injury report. This week, however, Dumervil is fully expected to play, even though there was initially doubt regarding his Week 15 status.

Dumervil returned to practice yesterday after making progress during the week, and his stated goal was to get back on the practice field yesterday. Once he practiced on Friday, there was little doubt that he would play in this week’s game against the Detroit Lions. Now that he is practicing today, it is essentially confirmation that he will be playing on Monday night, and he continues to look healthier.

With 9.5 sacks this season, Dumervil has been the best pass rusher on the Ravens, and he and Terrell Suggs form one of the best edge rushing duos in the NFL. What makes the Ravens OLB duo more potent is the fact that Suggs is an elite run defender, which is what makes him the better player than Dumervil overall. But Dumervil still has been an absolute gift from the Denver Broncos, and the 29-year-old definitely fits the defense-first culture instilled in Baltimore.

If he can terrorize Matthew Stafford on Monday and disrupt the timing of the Lions offense, then the Ravens will have fulfilled a key to victory against the potent Lions offense. It’s going to be a great MNF battle, and both of these teams are locked in playoff battles in their respective conferences.

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