Ray Lewis out after back surgery

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis is out for Sunday's game against Atlanta after undergoing surgery to drain blood from his back.

The back pain caused him to miss last Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.

Earlier this week, Coach Brian Billick said the nine-year veteran and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year had a "pool of blood" moving around his back that made him "stiff and sore."

Billick said Thursday's surgery might help make Lewis available for the game against Pittsburgh on Nov. 26.

"I think we've made real progress," Billick told the Baltimore Sun.

This season, Lewis, a former first-round draft pick, has a sack and 65 tackles in eight games.

He suffered a bruised back on Nov. 5 against Cincinnati when he was accidentally kicked by teammate Ed Reed.