OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- After his first practice of the year, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil was asked by a reporter whether he feels he can be as explosive as he used to be.
“You are on the list now," Dumervil replied quickly before cracking a smile.
Dumervil declined to say how long the list is, but it's easy to see what it takes to get on it. All you have to do is question whether he can be the same impactful pass rusher as previous years.
There have been increasingly more doubters this year because Dumervil turned 32, recorded six sacks last season (his fewest in a full season since 2008) and missed all of training camp after undergoing a foot procedure.
"In all seriousness, especially as you get older, you understand your body kind of goes against the grain," Dumervil said. "That is why you have to do the necessary things that make sure you can be as competitive with the young guys. I look forward to being explosive, still.”
Dumervil has been one of the NFL's best pass rushers since entering the league in 2006. Over the past 10 years, only DeMarcus Ware has more sacks than Dumervil (96 sacks) among active players and no one has recorded more multiple sack games (he has 31).
But last year was one of his most challenging seasons. After Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles in the season opener, Dumervil drew every offense's full attention, and he had to become an every-down linebacker. He was on the field for 747 snaps, the eighth-most on the Ravens' defense and 167 more than his previous season. It was the first time in his past six seasons that he failed to record at least 9 1/2 sacks.
“It was a tough year for all of us on many levels," Dumervil said. "But that is the good thing about football and life – you always have a second opportunity. We have to make sure we maximize and seize the moment.”
After the Pro Bowl, Dumervil said he had a procedure done "somewhere in my foot area." He didn't elaborate on the injury Monday after being activated off the physically unable to perform list.
It's a day-to-day situation as to whether Dumervil will play in the final two preseason games.
“The goal is the opener, for sure," Dumervil said. "If I could try and get a preseason game in, that would be awesome. If not, we are looking forward to the opener.”
Dumervil's contract is through next season. He is only two years removed from setting the Ravens' franchise record with 17 sacks, but he's also one of 14 current pass rushers who are 32 or older.
"The game will tell you when you can’t play anymore," Dumervil said. "That is why you go out, you compete, and you don’t take a day for granted. You appreciate when you are healthy, because that is not always the case, especially in this game that we play. To answer that question, I am going to play as long as I am a productive player.”
A reporter then asked if last year gave him pause about whether he could play any longer.
“A year like last year can’t keep happening, [or] we will all be gone," Dumervil said. "I have been around that -- when you clean house when you go 5-11 -- so we have to make sure that is behind us.”
Dumervil then walked past that same reporter and held up thumb and index finger with little space in between.
"You were this close to going on the list," Dumervil said with a chuckle.