Ravens' Michael Pierce: Undergoes season-ending surgery
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Pierce (biceps) is undergoing season-ending surgery Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Pierce faced a decision between attempting to rehab and return this year or get season-ending surgery, and he's ultimately decided to go under the knife. As a result of getting surgery to address his torn bicep, the nose tackle will now eye a return during the 2023 campaign. Rookie third-round pick Travis Jones will likely start in Pierce's stead versus the Bills on Sunday.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Decision ahead
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Pierce (biceps) is debating whether to have season-ending surgery, or to rehab and play through the injury according to head coach John Harbaugh, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
Pierce suffered a torn bicep in the Ravens' Week 3 win over the Patriots. He was scheduled to undergo further testing Wednesday, which will likely aid him in making that decision. If Pierce opts to rehab and play though the injury, it is unclear how much time, if any, he'll miss.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Dealing with biceps injury
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Pierce suffered a biceps tear in Sunday's win over the Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Pierce was forced out of the Ravens' Week 3 win over the Patriots early with an arm injury, but it has now been determined to be a biceps tear. It's unclear whether the injury will sideline him for the remainder of the season, but he is undergoing additional testing Wednesday.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Questionable to return Sunday
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Pierce (arm) is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Pierce sustained a left arm injury at some point during the first half against New England. With the 29-year-old defensive tackle sidelined, expect rookie Travis Jones to step in on the interior of Baltimore's defense.
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Vikings' Michael Pierce: Puts in limited practice
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Pierce (elbow) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.
Pierce has been sidelined since Week 4 by the elbow injury, but he was able to participate at Wednesday's practice. The veteran defensive tackle may need to advance to full participation to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game at Baltimore.
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Vikings' Michael Pierce: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Pierce (elbow) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Pierce played just 19 snaps in Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Browns and recorded a solo tackle, but was unable to finish the game due to his elbow injury. Armon Watts and Sheldon Richardson should see larger roles if the 28-year-old is held out against Detroit on Sunday.
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Vikings' Michael Pierce: Doubtful to return
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Pierce is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Browns due to an elbow injury, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Pierce dealt with an elbow injury heading into Sunday's contest but was ultimately able to suit up. However, the issue apparently flared up and could keep him out for the remainder of the game. If the defensive tackle is unable to return, Armon Watts and Sheldon Richardson should see increased work.
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Vikings' Michael Pierce: Week 4 status in question
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Pierce (elbow) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Pierce made a strong first impression in Minnesota with two sacks and seven tackles against the Bengals in the season opener, but he has contributed just one tackle over the two subsequent games combined. If cleared to play, the starting interior lineman will look to get back on track against the run-heavy Cleveland offense.
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Vikings' Michael Pierce: Returns after opt out
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Pierce participated in June minicamp, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.
Pierce signed a three-year, $27 million contract last March, but he later opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns about his asthma. He and Dalvin Tomlinson should form one of the better interior run-stuffing duos in the league, with Sheldon Richardson likely coming off the bench to provide a pass rush. The 28-year-old Pierce had 151 tackles but only 3.5 sacks in four seasons with the Ravens, mostly serving as a nose tackle on early downs.
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Vikings' Michael Pierce: Heads north to Minnesota
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Pierce and the Vikings agreed Wednesday on a three-year deal worth $27 million, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Pierce played all but two games for the Ravens in 2019, recording 35 tackles (19 solo), a half sack and one fumble recovery. The 27-year-old should get the chance to win a starting role on the defensive line for the Vikings in 2020 following the departures of Linval Joseph, Stephen Weatherly and Everson Griffen.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Musters 35 stops in 2019
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Pierce recorded 35 tackles (19 solo), a half-sack and one recovered fumble across 14 regular-season games in 2019.
Pierce missed two contests with an ankle injury in 2019, but he otherwise reliably drew the start at nose tackle for Baltimore. The 27-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Ready to face 49ers
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Pierce (ankle) is active for Sunday's tilt against the 49ers.
Pierce has shed his lingering ankle injury, and he'll now retake the field after a two-game absence. He stands to draw his usual start at nose tackle.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Chance to return Week 13
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Pierce (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Pierce missed the last two games with the ankle issue, but he practiced fully Friday and appears likely to return this week. The 27-year-old should reclaim his starting role against the 49ers, assuming he suits up.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Unlikely to play Monday
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Pierce (ankle) will be listed as doubtful ahead of Monday's contest against the Rams and is not expected to play, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
The report comes directly from head coach John Harbaugh, so it seems safe to assume the nose tackle is unlikely to play. Pierce is considered one of the better run-stopping defensive linemen in the entire NFL, so his loss could open additional opportunities for the Rams' rushing attack, although Domata Peko and Brandon Williams are expected to fill the void capably.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Sheds massive weight
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Pierce shed over 20 pounds in five weeks to be ready for training camp, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Pierce was sent off the field at June's minicamp for being overweight. Since then, the 26-year-old hired a chef, consistently communicated with the team's nutritionist, and ran every day. Pierce passed Baltimore's conditioning test Thursday and is good to go for this year's training camp.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Cleared for training camp
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Pierce (undisclosed) was removed from the non-football injury (NFI) list after passing a physical and will be available for Thursday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
Pierce's time on the NFI lasted just two days, as the Ravens were apparently going to keep him inactive until he was back in shape after failing to take part in minicamp last month due to conditioning issues. Pierce is believed to be in line for a contract extension at some point this offseason, and the defensive lineman being cleared to practice should help expedite that process.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Placed on NFI list
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The Ravens have placed Pierce on the non-football injury (NFI) list, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Baltimore has one of the toughest conditioning tests in the league and often utilizes the NFI for players that can't meet the standard at the beginning of training camp. Pierce drew some unwanted attention back in June when he was removed from the practice field at mandatory minicamp after showing up overweight. Listed at 6-foot, 340 pounds, he's one of the better run-stuffing tackles in the NFL and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The Ravens presumably want him to get in better shape before they engage in serious discussions for a contract extension.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Ruled out for Week 5
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Pierce (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Pierce has logged no more than 29 defensive snaps in a contest this season, and he'll be kept to the sideline for a second time after also failing to suit up in Week 3 due to a foot ailment. Chris Wormley is slated to fill in at nose tackle next to Brent Urban and Brandon Williams.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce: Questionable for Week 5
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Pierce (foot) is listed as questionable for Baltimore's Week 5 contest against the Browns.
Pierce is still plagued by a foot injury he sustained in mid-September, although he did manage to log 17 snaps in last week's game against the Steelers. The Samford product turned in full sessions Wednesday and Thursday but didn't practice at all Friday.
