NFL teams
Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Elvis Dumervil says he's not playing in Ravens' opener after setback

NFL, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil said Wednesday that he will not play in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

Dumervil acknowledged he had a minor setback in his recovery from an offseason procedure in the foot area. He was the only Ravens starter who was not practicing Wednesday.

Albert McClellan is expected to replace Dumervil and start in his first game since 2012. Za'Darius Smith and Matt Judon will fill in for Dumervil as the other edge rusher opposite Terrell Suggs.

"It's a little disappointing," Dumervil said, "but sometimes you've just got to wait your turn and when the opportunity presents itself, take full advantage."

Dumervil, 32, said he had a procedure in the foot area this offseason and missed all of the spring workouts along with the first three weeks of training camp. He was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 22 and practiced for a week.

But Dumervil hasn't practiced since Aug. 29 and was one of three Ravens players who didn't practice Wednesday. Running back Kenneth Dixon (knee) and cornerback Jerraud Powers (ankle) were the others.

Dumervil is unsure about his status for the Week 2 game at the Cleveland Browns.

"I don't want to start shooting out numbers and weeks," Dumervil said. "We'll just see. We're working really hard, and the training staff is working really hard with me. Just doing my very best to get out there as soon as I can. So I don't know when the time can be. It can be next week or the following week. I don't know."

Since 2006, Dumervil ranks second among active players with 96 sacks. His 31 multiple-sack games leads all players in the past 10 seasons. Dumervil has been one of the most durable defenders in the NFL since joining the Ravens in 2013. He's only missed one game and has played in 35 straight games.

"It's one of those things where your body kind of tells you when it's ready," Dumervil said. "So we're all pushing. We wanted it to be Week 1, but unfortunately, it wasn't."

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