Ayanbadejo slowly working his way back

June 15, 2010 11:40 AM by Dan Kolko View Comments

Yesterday, I profiled inside linebacker Jason Phillips and his attempt to return from a 2009 season-ending injury.

Today, I've got news on another ILB who is working his way back from a serious injury that left him on IR last year.

Brendon Ayanbadejo said at the beginning of OTAs that he was in "an unusual amount of pain" in his recovery from a torn quadriceps in his left leg, but that he expected to suit up once training camp started in late-July.

That's still the plan, but at least early in camp, Ayanbadejo says he will only participating in non-contact drills.

It's been a slow recovery process for the three-time Pro Bowler, one that has tested the patience of one of the hardest workers on the Ravens.

"I'm getting it back," Ayanbadejo said at the conclusion of last week's minicamp. "I'm feeling better every day. I can't really be frustrated even though it's going slow, the healing process is real slow. But I can't complain because every day I see improvement."

Ayanbadejo has already partially returned to action; he was working on individual drills towards the end of minicamps and was ready to get back in seven-on-seven work before an allergic reaction to some medication set him back a few weeks.

The Ravens trainers will have him take things slow at the start of training camp and will closely monitor his reps, but Ayanbadejo's goal is to be back at full strength sometime prior to the end of camp.

"I hope so, that's the plan," he said. "For me there's no other option but that. I want to get back to my normal self and do what I normally do. This is the first injury of my career. I can't wait to get back to being the same player that I was.

"It's a tough surgery to overcome. I'm hoping in the long run I'll be back faster and be 100 percent."