As safety Ed Reed and linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo begin their season, Jared Gaither's career with the Ravens could be over.
Gaither, the team's former starting left tackle, was placed on injured reserve as the Ravens made room for Reed and Ayanbadejo, who were activated off the physically-unable-to-perform list Saturday. The Ravens also cut versatile linebacker Edgar Jones.
It's been a difficult season for Gaither, who is known for his intriguing potential and questionable work ethic. He reported late to the offseason conditioning program in March, a decision which many believed was Gaither's way to show his unhappiness over the lack of a contract extension. When the Ravens moved Gaither from left to right tackle at the start of a minicamp in spring, he injured his foot and missed most of the offseason practices.
The 6-foot-9 Gaither then surprised the organization when he reported to training camp 29 pounds lighter than his playing weight of 340 pounds. He missed a few days of practice, but he returned after he underwent blood tests.
On Aug. 5, he suffered what has been described as a thoracic disk injury. Gaither practiced once (Sept. 29) before getting put on IR. Ravens doctors couldn't find anything wrong with Gaither in early October, according to coach John Harbaugh, but Gaither's back specialist in California wouldn't clear him to play after a re-evaluation.
Gaither, 24, a supplemental fifth-round pick in 2007, started 28 games for the Ravens. As a restricted free agent, Gaither received a first-round tender of $2.3 million for this season.
Ayanbadejo, a three-time Pro Bowl special teams player, is expected to play in his first game since he torn his quadriceps on Oct. 4, 2009. Jones, an the only undrafted rookie to make the Ravens in 2007, has played outside linebacker, defensive end, tight end and fullback in his four-year NFL career.
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