ACL and MCL tears can ruin a season and, in severe cases, derail a career. While reports suggest that Joe Flacco’s recovery from the knee blowout has him on track to return for Week 1, the Baltimore Ravens surely have some concerns privately about the quarterback’s condition upon return.

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Flacco tore multiple ligaments during the closing seconds of the Ravens’ Week 11 victory over the St. Louis Rams, sending an already lost season onto an even darker path. Without Flacco, who had not previously missed a single start during his eight-year NFL career, Baltimore would win only two more games the rest of the way. More importantly, the injury cast doubt onto the quarterback’s availability and capability upon returning in 2016.

With advancements in sports medicine, an ACL tear generally keeps athletes sidelined for six-to-nine months. The additional MCL tear doesn’t necessary push back the timeline, though it opens the door for further complications. Flacco’s surgery likely took place some weeks after the original Nov. 22 tear to allow for any swelling to subside, putting him on track for a return between June and September.

That timetable could have Flacco back in pads in time for training camp, but it could also see him sitting out past Week 1. Given that older quarterbacks such as the Arizona Cardinals’ Carson Palmer have managed to get back on the field on the earlier end of their recovery schedules, Flacco seems a decent bet to make it back for at least part of training camp and the preseason.

Still, the inability to go through his regular offseason training routine could still impact Flacco’s 2016. Like most football players, the Baltimore QB puts himself through extensive workouts to prepare for the grind of the NFL season. However, due to his reconstructed knee, Flacco must instead focus most of his offseason on strengthening and stabilizing his leg. That could lead to additional rust when he does return to action.

Though Flacco should round into form at some point in August or September, the lost practice time with his receiving corps could hurt the offense early during the season. The Ravens may not have top wideout Steve Smith (Achilles tear) when the regular season begins and could lose Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown in free agency. That leaves Breshad Perriman, Michael Campanaro, Darren Waller or someone not currently on the roster as the top wide receiver in Baltimore, none of which have extensive experience with Flacco.

Regardless of when Flacco receives clearance from the Ravens’ medical staff, he may return with some new limitations. Though Flacco’s throwing ability and work in the pocket form the nucleus of his game, his mobility remains important. Unlike most towering, rocket-armed quarterbacks, he can comfortably extend plays with his legs. The lasting damage from a multi-ligament knee tear should not remove this element from his play, but it could reduce it to a non-negligible degree.

At the same time, several factors work to Flacco’s advantage. For the first time since 2012, the Ravens will start the season with the same offensive coordinator that opened the previous one. Year 2 of Marc Trestman’s West Coast scheme should see the offense make significant improvement, especially if the team re-signs left guard Kelechi Osemele. 2016 also represents the second season for Maxx Williams, the talented tight end who contributed little as a rookie. Williams and Crockett Gillmore could give Trestman the best tight-end tandem he ever worked with, a promising combination for an offensive coordinator that loves to utilize the position. Moreover, Flacco’s best seasons have come when he had multiple reliable pass-catching tight ends like Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson at his disposal.

General manager Ozzie Newsome also has the opportunity to reinforce the offensive roster through the draft. One of the best talent evaluators in the league, Newsome already has a handle on this year’s crop of pass catchers, running backs and offensive linemen. With the sixth overall pick in the draft as well as early selections in the subsequent rounds, the GM should have all the ammunition he needs to reload Flacco’s supporting cast.

Though any additions would require time to assimilate into the Ravens’ offense, Flacco shouldn’t find himself as shorthanded as he did through most of the 2015 season. Even with foreseeable early struggles, Baltimore should have the horses for an average or better offense. Given that the unit finished No. 25 in scoring last season, that level of offensive improvement alone equates to at least a few more games in the win column. If the defense bounces back as well, the Ravens have at least a fighting chance to make noise late in the year.

Jason B. Hirschhorn
Jason B. Hirschhorn

Jason B. Hirschhorn is an award-winning sports journalist and Pro Football Writers of America member. He has bylines at NFL.com, SB Nation, Sports Illustrated, and other outlets.

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