Ray Lewis injury: Ravens LB might make return vs. Broncos

Despite tearing his triceps in Week 6, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will be eligible to return this weekend to face the Denver Broncos according to a report by Jeff Legwold of The Denver Post.

Lewis was placed on Baltimore's injured reserve list with the designation to return following his injury, and practiced last week to clear his final hurdle before getting back on the field. While Lewis' status remains up in the air, Baltimore is especially thin at the linebacker position after a rash of injuries in recent weeks. Going further, Lewis has hardly been the type of player over his career to sit on the sideline at a time when he may be able to contribute on the field.

With the Ravens currently holding a two-game lead in the AFC North, Sunday's pivotal showdown could also have significant implications when it comes to which teams earn first-round byes. The Broncos hold a one-game advantage on Baltimore for the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC right now, and could go a long way toward wrapping up a ticket to the second round of the playoffs with a win. Lewis' return would obviously provide a huge boost for a Ravens defense that has been shredded lately, but it may take more than just one player to slow down a red-hot Broncos team currently riding an eight-game winning streak.