OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs practiced on Tuesday, just nine days after tearing his biceps.
Afterward, Suggs was asked why he is playing through the injury.
"Man, who am I? What team do I play for?," Suggs asked. "I come from an era where this is just a bump in the road. It may be season-ending for somebody else. It's not season-ending for a Raven."
"I come from an era where this is just a bump in the road. It may be season-ending for somebody else. It's not season-ending for a Raven."Terrell Suggs, on his torn biceps
Suggs has proven to be one of the most tough and determined players in Ravens history. He never missed a game in his first six seasons and has continually bounced back quickly to be there when the Ravens needed him the most.
In the 2008 AFC Championship Game, Suggs twice sacked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger despite playing with a sprained right shoulder. In 2012, he returned less than six months after tearing his Achilles and only missed one game that same season after tearing his biceps. Now, he is dealing with the same torn left biceps injury.
Why is it so important for him to play?
"Have we met? I don't go on IR unless I absolutely have to, if I tear another Achilles or some s---," Suggs said.
Suggs acknowledged that this injury is a pain-tolerance issue.
"But it's also a win-tolerance thing," he said. "How much do you want to win? How much do you want to play?"
In his 12th season, Suggs has been solid, ranking 40th among edge defenders by Pro Football Focus. He leads Baltimore with five sacks and ranks ninth with 19 tackles.
Suggs has decided to wear what he calls "an apparatus" on his left arm. The brace is designed to diminish the pain. This is a change from his last biceps injury in 2012, when he chose not to wear one.
"I was young and dumb, wanted to be the Hulk," he said. "But I'm damn sure going to wear one now."
It's probably no surprise that Suggs will only miss one game with the torn biceps considering the first opponent after the bye. The Ravens play the rival Steelers with first place in the AFC North possibly on the line.
"Your greatest opponent always brings the best out of you," Suggs said. "It's a good opportunity to come back and play against those guys. Everybody knows what's riding on it. It's going to be a big game. I want to be a part of it."