Baltimore Ravens came in from behind to force the overtime against Pittsburgh Steelers and then get a win on Sunday, but this effort came with a steep price. Ravens confirmed on Monday that their starting safety Tony Jefferson suffered a torn ACL against Steelers, and is likely out for the season.
Jefferson suffered the injury in the fourth quarter when he tried to defend Steelers’ tight end Nick Vannett. He fell to the ground and pulled Vannet as he went down, in order to prevent him from having a clear path to the end zone in front of him. Jefferson immediately grabbed his knee after the play, which was a clear indication that something isn’t right.
Jefferson had one tackle, and one pass defended before exiting the game. He has 21 tackles, and two passes defended in 2019.
Speaking with reporters after the game, Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh said that Jefferson has an ACL tear, but that the extent of the damage might be worse.
“He has a knee, so he’s done,” – said Harbaugh. “He at least has an ACL, and probably more, so he’ll be out for the season as it stands right now.”
Tony Jefferson spent the first five years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, who signed him as a free agent in 2013. He joined Ravens in 2018, signing a four-year, $34 million contract.
Jefferson NFL career stats include 424 tackles, 8.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, four interceptions, and one touchdown.
