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          NFL Nation

          Brent Urban likely Ravens' 16th player headed to IR (and it's only Week 4)

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterSep 25, 2017, 10:15 PM
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          The Baltimore Ravens’ 2017 season has become one of attrition.

          Starting defensive end Brent Urban suffered a Lisfranc injury in Sunday's 44-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and will undergo foot surgery.

          Urban is expected to become the 16th Ravens player to be placed on injured reserve. This is an astonishing number considering it's the start of Week 4. Baltimore has two more players on IR than anyone else in the league.

          "We've had a lot of practice this year about guys stepping up," coach John Harbaugh said. "We're good at it now."

          It's getting to the point where it's legitimate to wonder how many more injuries the Ravens can sustain and still compete for the AFC North title.

          Urban would become the third starter lost for the season, joining guards Marshal Yanda (ankle) and Alex Lewis (shoulder). The Ravens, though, have lost significant contributors in running back Danny Woodhead (hamstring, designated for return candidate), nickel-backs Tavon Young (knee) and Maurice Canady (knee, designated for return candidate), running back Kenneth Dixon (knee), special teams ace Albert McClellan (knee) and returner Tim White (thumb).

          This doesn't include leading receiver Dennis Pitta, who was released after injuring his hip again, or leading tackler Zach Orr, who retired because of a congenital neck and spine condition.

          Baltimore is hopeful the defense can absorb this loss better than its others. The Ravens have more depth at defensive line than anywhere else on the team. Baltimore is expected to turn to Bronson Kaufusi and Chris Wormley, both recent third-round picks.

          "Those guys are ready to go," Harbaugh said. "I'm looking forward to seeing them play. We have some depth there. That's the good news about that particular situation. It's their turn to step up."

          Injuries have derailed Urban's career. A 2014 fourth-round pick, he tore his ACL in his first training camp and tore his biceps in his second one before returning to play late in the season.

          Urban played in every game last season, but he sustained another setback when he got injured early in the second quarter in London.

          He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.