Is Gooden still a starter?

Tavares Gooden might return after being sidelined last Sunday, but there’s no guarantee that the inside linebacker will return as a starter.

Asked if Gooden would come back to the starting lineup, Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said Gooden, rookie Dannell Ellerbe and Jameel McClain would all play. Ellerbe played in Gooden’s absence against New England and made six tackles.

“It gives us the luxury where we want to have the ability to have a lot of linebackers,” Mattison said. “It’s a physical league and we got to have guys that step up. I think Ellerbe did a great job in his first playing experience.”



(baltimoresun.com)