Ryan

McBean

McBean was originally a fourth-round pick by the Steelers. Facing a six-game suspension, which he reportedly intends to fight, McBean should be safe at the cost of a fourth-round pick. The tender comes with a $1.26 million salary.

He won’t be available until either Week 7 or 8 of the 2012 season, depending on Denver’s bye. McBean, 28, quietly led all Broncos defensive linemen with four sacks last season. He is an impending restricted free agent, and the level of the tender Denver assigns McBean may be affected by the suspension.

A restricted free agent, McBean was originally tendered at the original-round level by Denver, but had his tender rescinded last month. A 2007 fourth-round pick, McBean tallied his first four career sacks last season, but was handed a six-game ban for violating the league’s PED policy in March. He’s a depth signing for a Ravens line that could be without Terrell Suggs all season. Unfortunately, McBean won’t be eligible to play until Week 7.

McBean’s ban for violating the NFL’s PED policy was sliced in half after he agreed to drop his lawsuit against the league. He’ll now be eligible to return in Week 4 against the Browns. It’s good news for a Ravens defense scrambling to replace RE/OLB Terrell Suggs. McBean is more of an interior pass rusher, but he could free up Pernell McPhee to rush more from defensive end.

The move makes McBean a free agent. A fourth-round pick of the Steelers in 2007, McBean tallied his first four career sacks last season, but is facing a six-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on PEDs. He has appealed the decision. McBean was also arrested on stalking charges last October. His off-the-field issues and limited history of production will make McBean radioactive on the open market.

McBean is suspended the first three games anyway, so he’ll have about seven weeks to recover. The Ravens will evaluate his health at that point. A situational interior pass rusher, McBean will open the season on reserve/suspended.

McBean’s foot was “facing the direction to where it wasn’t supposed to be facing” after the fracture, suffered in Thursday night’s preseason opener. McBean is aiming to return for OTAs in 2013. He’ll be a free agent before then.

McBean is expected to be sidelined at least two to three months after doctors inserted pins and screws into his ankle. Now expected to miss 8-12 games rather than the original four, McBean will be a prime candidate for injured reserve.

Details are scant, but McBean is out of jail after posting a $50,000 bond, and is set to appear in court on October 28. He was reportedly at Broncos practice Monday. He’s appeared in all five of the Broncos games this season, notching eight tackles and one sack.

McBean spent 2012 on injured reserve after breaking his left ankle in a preseason game. The fracture was bad enough that he needed surgery. McBean is still just 29, so he’ll get some sniffs around the league if he can prove his health.