The Baltimore Ravens are excited about the prospect of having Deion Sanders come out of retirement and be a part of their defensive backfield. The question now is: Will he take them up on their offer?
The Baltimore Sun reported that the team is pushing Sanders for a decision sooner, not later, and that he would need to report within 11 days in order to play in the team’s Sept. 12 opener at Cleveland.
Although there is no strict deadline set, Sanders would have to show up for the final week of the preseason–either Aug. 29 or 30–in order to be prepared to play nickel back for the team. Ravens officials refuted reports that they would wait for him to suit up as late as November, the newspaper reported.
Although ESPN reported Tuesday that Sanders is “definitely” going to play for the Ravens this season, one of his closest of friends wasn’t as certain. Ravens cornerback Corey Fuller, who talks to Sanders every day, provided confusion instead of a conclusion.
When first asked about Sanders, Fuller said, “The man says he’s not coming. . . . You can say this or that about him, but I know otherwise.”
In a span of a couple of questions, Fuller’s prediction had changed.
“It’s 50-50,” Fuller said. “If the man comes, he comes. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t.”
Sanders is working out at his Dallas home in an effort to determine if his 37-year-old body can take the punishment of playing in the NFL after three years of retirement.
In his first public appearance since news broke about his possible return–a workout with the Texas Rangers before Wednesday night’s game–the former major-league outfielder deflected football questions.
When asked about the Ravens, Sanders told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, “Next question, man. I’ll give you something when the time is different.”
Another hit
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Kenny King needs surgery on his right wrist and probably will miss the season, the latest hit to a team struggling with injuries.
King, a fifth-round draft pick last season, had been battling rookie Darnell Dockett for the starting job on the right side of the defense. But he injured wrist tendons that had already been surgically repaired once this year. King missed practice Tuesday to have his injury diagnosed in Phoenix.
Bad break
The Green Bay Packers suffered their first major injury when wide receiver Shockmain Davis broke his right leg on a kickoff return in practice.
Coach Mike Sherman said Davis, a second-year NFL player, had been in contention for a spot as the fourth or fifth receiver on the team but will miss the entire season.
Tongue returns
Strong safety Reggie Tongue returned to practice after missing 25 straight sessions due to a strained left calf suffered on the second day of training camp.
Tongue, one of the Jets’ main free-agent acquisitions this year, is not expected to play Saturday.
Perry surgery
Rookie running back Bruce Perry underwent successful reconstructive surgery on his left shoulder. Perry separated his shoulder in the exhibition opener at New England on Friday. He was placed on injured reserve Monday.
Defensive end N.D. Kalue, who tore a knee ligament Tuesday, said he will undergo surgery on Aug. 30.
