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The Ravens have said that the cause of Jared Gaither's absence the last few weeks has been a tear in his back which has led to spasms.
Gaither said today that's not the case.
"It wasn't spasms," Gaither said. "I had a thoracic disc injury."
Ten days ago, head coach John Harbaugh said that Gaither would be out at least two to three weeks after a back specialist found a small tear in his back.
"It's not a serious thing, but it's going to keep him out for a couple weeks until it settles down, because it's what's causing the spasms apparently," Harbaugh said. "He's going to have to work as hard as he can, and we'll have to try and work it out."
The fourth-year offensive tackle said today that the pain in his back is decreasing and that surgery won't be needed to repair the injury. Asked about how far he is in his rehab or when he expects to return to practice, Gaither was tight-lipped.
"It's getting better," Gaither said. "Whenever it comes along, I'll be able to do everything.
"As soon as I'm 100 percent healthy, I'll be back."
Gaither did say that he still hopes to play in the Ravens' regular season opener against the Jets on Sept. 13.
"That's the aim," Gaither said. "The aim is to get back as soon as possible. Whenever I'm healthy, that's when I'll be back there. I know that."
