Baltimore Ravens defensive end Derek Wolfe undergoes second hip surgery this year
Wolfe, 32, missed all of last season with hip and back injuries. He had his first hip surgery in January and then had another one five months later.
“Feeling pretty good,” Wolfe said in a Instagram video that he recorded from his hospital bed. “We’re going to get a full recovery here and try to live a normal life.”
Wolfe’s $2 million salary this season is fully guaranteed, and his $3.8 salary cap figure ranks 13th on the Ravens. Baltimore re-signed Wolfe to a three-year, $12 million contract (including $5.4 million signing bonus) in March 2021, and he has yet to play a game since then.
Wolfe injured his back and hip during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers in training camp. He was designated to return off injured reserve in November, but he reverted back to IR after briefly appearing in one practice.
Earlier this offseason, Wolfe told a hunting podcast that he didn’t know whether his hip injury would force him to retire. But Wolfe later tweeted in March that he fully intended on coming back this season.
Justin Madubuike stepped into the starting lineup in place of Wolfe last season, making 36 tackles and two sacks. Baltimore also signed Brent Urban, a former fourth-round pick, to provide more depth at defensive end.
A second-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2012, Wolfe has struggled to remain healthy. He has missed a total of 39 games over the last nine seasons.