R. Lewis has surgery for back injury - Procedure does not immediately rule LB out for Falcons game

Nov/16/06 11:45 AM Filed in: Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis underwent surgery to have blood in his back drained Wednesday, but the procedure doesn't immediately rule him out of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Lewis, who severely bruised his back on Nov. 5, is expected to remain questionable on Thursday's report. There is still some hope that Lewis could recover over the next couple of days to play, although that's probably optimistic.

With Lewis sidelined from practice, the Ravens have been using Jarret Johnson at inside linebacker.

If Lewis can't play Sunday, the Ravens hope Wednesday's procedure will allow him to play next week.

Coach Brian Billick addressed Lewis' condition in Monday's news conference, saying, "They've got to break that pool of blood that's moving around his back ... in whatever way they can. As I understand it, once that's released, he should be fine."

(baltimoresun.com)