The Baltimore Ravens defense has become a shell of its former fearsome self. Rod Woodson has retired, Adalius Thomas has moved onto choking with the rest of the Patriots, and Ray Lewis is rapidly aging. And it only gets worse today as news comes out that their hard-hitting safety Ed Reed might have a career-threatening injury.

Reed, already expected to miss the first few weeks of the year because of nerve damage to his shoulder, told reporters on Friday that if he has to undergo surgery for the injury, his career might be done. Over. Kaput.

BLOGIMORE RAVENS has the basics:

Reed hopes to avoid surgery, because if he goes under the knife, he is kissing his career goodbye.Reed: “If I had surgery now, you all would not be interviewing me ever again. If I had surgery, I would not be playing anymore.”

We really hope not. Watching Reed fly all over the field with complete disregard for his body is one of the things that makes Sundays in the fall truly special. His hard hits transcend the sport of football from something mildy-homoerotic into something magical, and even MORE homoerotic. Because he’s so dreamy.

Get back soon, Mr. Reed. We’ll be missing you.