The Baltimore Ravens selected Michigan edge rusher David Ojabo with the No. 45 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He represented great value in the second round despite the torn achilles that he suffered during his Pro Day, as when he’s completely healthy he’s a first-round talent.
It’s currently unclear when Ojabo will be able to return from his injury and suit up for Baltimore. When Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was asked about if Ojabo has a chance to play in 2022, he said that the team’s doctors are optimistic that he could have a chance to suit up at some point during the upcoming season, but also talked about how multiple members of the organization have suffered a torn achilles and come back with good results, including himself.
“We rely on our doctors and trainers. They haven’t seen him since the re-checks and all of those things in ‘Indy’ [Indianapolis at the Combine], but they’re optimistic that at some point this year, he’ll have a chance to play. We … I can say, not specific to David [Ojabo], but we’ve had multiple Achilles injuries over the years, and some guys … In fact, we were talking about one of the Legends, Terrell Suggs, who tore his Achilles in May, and I believe he came back in late October. And then, I should mention myself.” (John Harbaugh: “Which he has.”)“I tore my Achilles when I was 40 years old, and I was running in three and a half months during the lockout. (laughter)So, we’ve had multiple guys that have done it and have come back with very, very good, predictable results. For us, there might be a delay, but we think he’s going to come back with a vengeance and play outstanding football.”
Ojabo isn’t the only Baltimore edge rusher to be recovering from a torn achilles at the moment. Tyus Bowser suffered the same injury in Week 18 of the 2021 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, so both will be continuing their rehab with hopes of getting on the field sometime in 2022.
