Despite the absence of 12-time Pro Bowler Ray Lewis, the Ravens defense has been instrumental in helping the team win all four games that the inside linebacker has missed due to a turf toe injury on his right foot.

That’s not startling to the players tasked with maintaining the high level of play that unit has come to expect from every member.

“It’s hats off to the system, and it’s hats off to guys who work hard and prepare the way they prepare,” free safety Ed Reed said. “They have to understand that the next man is up, and it does take a lot. It takes 11 the whole time. The mentality really hasn’t changed since Ray’s been out, and guys understand that.”

For the fourth consecutive game, inside linebacker Jameel McClain has either led the defense in tackles or shared the lead – as he did with eight tackles in the Ravens’ 24-10 win against the Indianapolis Colts. And Dannell Ellerbe has started in three of the four games that Lewis has missed.

“We have a tremendous amount of depth,” outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “That shows what kind of coaches you have and what they are teaching the guys. Like I said, from the front line to the back line, we have amazing coaches, and we are doing a great job this year. We can’t be satisfied. We just have to keep going.”