Baltimore Ravens S Matt Elam eligible to return this season

Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam on Tuesday was designated as the team's player to return from injured reserve this season.

Elam sustained a knee injury and had surgery in the preseason. The 25-year-old practiced with the team on Tuesday and Baltimore has up to three weeks to add him to the 53-man roster or lose him for the remainder of the year.

Elam is eligible to return on Nov. 10 against the AFC North-rival Cleveland Browns.

A first-round pick in the 2013 draft, Elam quickly stepped into the starter's role in his rookie season. He has not played in a regular-season game since the 2014 campaign after missing all of last season with a biceps injury.

Elam has 123 tackles, seven passes defended and one interception in two seasons with the Ravens, who certainly could use the depth in their battered secondary.

Top reserve Kendrick Lewis (thigh) was placed on injured reserve last week and fellow safety Lardarius Webb exited Sunday's loss to the New York Jets with an ailing hamstring.

"Depth is always a concern at every position, but certainly at safety too," coach John Harbaugh said on Monday.