Joe Flacco Faces Long Recovery After Torn ACL

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Quarterback Joe Flacco joins a long list of Ravens players out for the season because of an injury. Head Coach John Harbaugh says Flacco tore his ACL during Sunday's game.

Marcus Washington has more on the recovery time and what it takes to get players back in action.

The road for Flacco or any of the injured Ravens players will not be easy, short or over this season, but it is possible for Flacco to come back and lead the team to a victory in stellar condition.

The game of football is tough and oftentimes grueling to the bodies of players. That was certainly the case during Sunday's game when Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco tore his ACL, the ligament that helps forward movement of your lower leg bone.

He now joins a list of injured players this season and Joe Flacco certainly will not be the first high-profile NFL star to attempt a comeback from a major knee injury. Tom Brady tore his ACL and recovered to lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl. Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer actually tore his twice and let's not forget running back Adrian Peterson, who is back to Pro Bowl form following his injury. Ravens Lardarius Webb tore his ACL and has returned to the Ravens secondary.

"I tore my ACL playing professional indoor lacrosse up in Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Wings," said Shawn Nadelen, Towson University's head coach for lacrosse.

Nadelen says help from his doctor and wife, who is an athletic trainer, got him back in shape to play within four and a half months.

"The World Games were five months after that and we were able to bring home the gold for Team USA," he said.

So how to recover?

"Listen to your knee. Listen to your body through the process," he said.

NFL injury reports show more than 30 players this year have had their seasons end because of a torn ligament.