Not trying to make this Ravens Depot during this busy week but this was a pretty important and surprising headline. Baltimore Ravens’ inside linebacker Zach Orr announced his retirement today. Walking away at just 24 years old, Orr cited a rare neck injury recently noticed on an MRI that is forcing him to step away.
Multiple reports have stated the Ravens attempted to talk Orr out of retirement but he leaned on the advice of his doctors.
From The Baltimore Sun, who has the details.
“But in a cruel development, Orr is now dealing with a congenital neck condition that will end his career, according to multiple sources.”
The Sun reports Orr had the MRI after suffering a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the end of the season. Orr was coming off his first year starting for the Ravens and statistically had an incredible season though analytic websites weren’t as kind to him.
He finished tied for eighth in total tackles with 132 while picking off three passes and recovering two fumbles. Jason La Canfora reported the team was close to a long-term extension but that clearly came off the table once Orr’s medical results were discovered.
It’s an area the team is likely to upgrade in the offseason. Albert McClellan may kick inside but it’s more likely they’ll bring in a new face to play opposite of All-Star C.J. Mosley.
Orr’s retirement is another blow to the defense. They’re also expecting nose tackle Brandon Williams to sign elsewhere in the offseason, putting a damper on a run defense that was one of the best in the league in 2016.
