OWINGS MILLS, Md., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens will be without their best pass rusher for at least the next two games as defensive end Michael McCrary, the team leader with eight sacks, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday and will be sidelined three-to-four weeks.
McCrary, 31, will miss Baltimore's next games against Jacksonville and Indianapolis. Since the Ravens have a bye the following week, they are hoping that McCrary will be able to return for a December 16 contest against the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2), who lead Baltimore (6-4) in the AFC Central.
A two-time Pro Bowler, McCrary is one of the quickest ends in the league. He shined in the playoff spotlight last season, recording six sacks in four postseason games, including two in Baltimore's Super Bowl victory over the New York Giants.
Adalius Thomas will likely fill in at right end in McCrary's absence.
McCrary spent the first five years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks before signing as a free agent with the Ravens in April 1997. He had a career-high 14 ½ sacks with the Ravens in 1998.
