Reed expected back for training camp

May 7, 2010 3:11 PM by Dan Kolko View Comments

Ed Reed was not on hand today for the Ravens' first minicamp of the season, but head coach John Harbaugh says the team expects Reed back for at least part of training camp, which will begin in late-July.

"We'll have to see how it progresses," Harbaugh said. "What we try to do with Ed is push it as long we could from a rehab perspective. This is kind of Ed's process more than anything. I think he understands his body better than anybody. He's been driving this.

"He decided to get the procedure now to give the best chance to get back for most of training camp that he can and be ready to go for the season."

The Ravens hope that the procedure that Reed had last week will fix the lingering hip injury that bothered him for much of last season. The six-time Pro Bowl safety missed four games last year because of the hip.

Linebacker Ray Lewis said he sent a text message to Reed recently, but that he hasn't talked to his friend since the medical procedure. He says for now, he wants to give Reed some space.

"When people go through that, you let them know that you're praying for them, that they're definitely in your thoughts, but outside of that, Ed will reach out when it's time for Ed to reach out," Lewis said.

"Nobody likes to have surgeries. When you go through your surgeries, you've got to kind of figure it out yourself. Then you kind of get back into the football mode. He doesn't want to hear about football right now, right now it's about his health and getting back healthy enough to walk."

As for all the retirement talk involving Reed this offseason, Lewis said he didn't buy it. He always believed that Reed would be back with him when the 2010 season started.

"I never thought about not having him," Lewis said. "That's one thing that he and I have always kept each other accountable about. Bottom line, no matter what we go through, when that first whistle blows, I know 20 is going to be behind me. That's all that matters."