Ravens' Boulware frustrated by injuries

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Peter Boulware will not play football this season, remaining on the physically unable to perform list.

The four-time Pro Bowl linebacker underwent offseason knee surgery after an injury last season against the Cleveland Browns. After a grueling rehabilitation period, Boulware, 29, was on track to return until he suffered turf toe Nov. 4 in his second practice of the season.

"It's been pretty tough," Boulware said. "I would have to say these are probably two of the worst injuries I've had in my eight years playing in the NFL. I work on my knee for 10 months to get it healthy and it's feeling good, ready to play, and the day after I get out there to practice, my toe goes out on me."

The setback left Boulware, the franchise's career sacks leader, unable to practice or maintain his conditioning.

Boulware played in 111 consecutive games to begin his career before missing the final two games of the 2003 season with the knee injury.

"It's been very frustrating, but I just want to believe something good is going to come out of this," said Boulware, a first-round draft pick in 1997 out of Florida State.

The Ravens' pass rush has thrived without Boulware at outside linebacker. Baltimore (7-3) has 30 sacks, second in the NFL behind the Pittsburgh Steelers' 31. Terrell Suggs leads the team with eight sacks.

"All I can do is look to next year and just know that I'm going to be extra fresh and extra ready to play next year," Boulware said. "At the same time, it still doesn't take the frustration away from this year. We've got seven games left and playoffs, and you still want to play this year."