Matt Elam in 2013 (Wikimedia Commons)
Matt Elam in 2013 (Wikimedia Commons)

Just a few days into training camp, the Baltimore Ravens already lost a defender that coaches were hoping would bounce back this year. Matt Elam, a third-year safety, suffered a torn biceps during practice on Saturday, the team said.

The injury happened on the first day of full-contact practice, when Elam went to grab a receiverโ€™s arm. Head Coach John Harbaugh called it a โ€œfluke injury.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m not real optimistic right now,โ€ Harbaugh said Sunday. โ€œI havenโ€™t heard the final word, but it wasnโ€™t real optimistic yesterday talking to the doctors.โ€ The Baltimore Sunโ€™s Aaron Wilson later reported that Elam is expected to be out for the year..

Elam, a former first round draft pick, was reportedly in better shape and aiming to have a standout year after a disappointing 2014 campaign. He was competing with Will Hill for the starting safety job.

Stephen Babcock is the editor of Technical.ly Baltimore and an editor-at-large of Baltimore Fishbowl.