Ravens DT Haloti Ngata left Sunday's Week 7 game in the second quarter with an apparent aggravation of his MCL sprain.

Ngata battled through the injury last week. He could be seen walking down the sideline toward the locker room with a severe limp. The Texans are absolutely throttling the Ravens, so Ngata may not reenter Sunday's game.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata (knee, MCL) did not practice on Wednesday.

Ngata likely won't practice much this week after "tweaking" his MCL in Week 6 against the Cowboys, but he should be good to go for Sunday's tilt with the Texans. Ngata won't be 100 percent, but the Ravens need him more than ever after losing Ray Lewis (triceps) and Lardarius Webb (torn ACL). Baltimore has a Week 8 bye, so that will be welcomed by Ngata and Terrell Suggs (Achilles).

The Baltimore Sun confirms Ravens DT Haloti Ngata's knee injury is just a "minor MCL tweak."

Ngata is expected to be "fine" for Week 7. Even if Ngata isn't 100 percent against the Texans, he'll have the Ravens' Week 8 bye to heal up. It's a major bullet dodged for a team that's likely lost both CB Lardarius Webb and Ray Lewis for the season.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Ravens DT Haloti Ngata's sprained knee "isn't expected to sideline him."

Ngata is awaiting a second opinion, but sounds like he'll be good to go for the Ravens' Week 7 tilt with the Texans. Ngata played through the injury on Sunday. It's a major relief for a team that appears to have lost top CB Lardarius Webb and Ray Lewis against the Cowboys.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata sustained a possible MCL sprain in Sunday's Week 6 win over the Cowboys.

Ravens DC Dean Pees believes DT Haloti Ngata is performing at the highest level of his career this season.

"He's been great this year," Pees said. "He's playing very disciplined. He's very smart. Again, the more you play, the more you know, the better player you are." Pro Football Focus rates only J.J. Watt and Calais Campbell as better 3-4 defensive ends this season.

The Carroll County Times reports DT Haloti Ngata "looked heavier than any point since his rookie season" during Ravens minicamp.

Ngata tipped the scales at 350 pounds in 2010, but slimmed down closer to 335 in 2011. He says the move cost him some of his power. "I just didn't feel that strong," Ngata said. "So, I think a little bit this year I'm going to probably try to get up on the weight a little bit just to help me with some of that power." Ngata is hoping to play closer to 340-345 pounds. Whatever weight he plays at, he should be in the mix for All Pro honors.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata (quadriceps) feels "really good" after taking time off to rest and recuperate after the season.

The Ravens official website says Ngata underwent a "procedure" after the season, but the attached link has no mention of any procedure, much less a surgery. Regardless, the quadriceps injury is no longer an issue for Ngata.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata acknowledged that he played through a quadriceps injury for most of the 2011 season.

Ravens NT Haloti Ngata said that his quadriceps injury held up in the Ravens' Week 9 win over the Steelers.

He did not start but he ended up working his way into the starting unit shortly after the game started. He added that he didn't think he made the injury any worse, so presumably he'll be good to go for Week 10's game against the Seahawks.

Ravens agreed to terms with NT Haloti Ngata on a five-year extension.

The Ravens are reportedly close to a long-term with NT Haloti Ngata.

Contract discussions are accelerating as Tuesday is the deadline for franchised players to reach a long-term extension until the next league year. Vincent Jackson and Paul Soliai are considered unlikely to be extended by the Chargers and Dolphins respectively.

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Ravens and NT Haloti Ngata are unlikely to reach a long-term contract extension by Tuesday's deadline.

This falls in line with Monday's report from the Carroll County Times that no deal was imminent. It appears both sides have exchanged proposals, but as of now the chances they reach an agreement are looking slim. Ngata is seeking a deal in neighborhood of Ndamukong Suh's $40 million guaranteed.

The Ravens remain in contract negotiations with NT Haloti Ngata.

The two sides have exchanged proposals, but no deal is imminent per the Carroll County Times. A slimmed-down Ngata was dominant against the Steelers yesterday, racking up four tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He's among the top defensive linemen in the game.

GM Ozzie Newsome said contract extension talks with DT Haloti Ngata will begin in three or four days.

Ngata is the Ravens' franchise player and will make $12.5 million on his one-year tender. Newsome can create cap room by locking up one of the game's best defenders on a long-term deal for less money annually. "As long as I can get that long-term contract, that's what I'm shooting for," Ngata said.

The Ravens and DT Haloti Ngata remain likely to work out a contract extension early in free agency.

Franchised in March, Ngata is set to make a burdensome $12.5 million in 2011. No longer hindered by the 30 percent rule, the National Football Post estimates the Ravens could free up nearly $6 million in cap space this season by working out a long-term deal with their elite defensive tackle.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata has dropped 25 pounds from his previous 350-pound playing weight.

Ngata has become more focused in his workout program with the goal of becoming a leaner, faster pass-rushing presence on the inside. "I've watched film and thought I missed some tackles," said Ngata. "I have to work on putting myself in better position to make those tackles." He has a good chance to better last year's career-high 5.5 sacks.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata plans to sign his $12.5 million franchise tender on Wednesday.

According to the Carroll County Times, the Ravens applied the franchise tag to DT Haloti Ngata because they didn't want to insult him with a "low-ball financial offer."

As the Eagles were Michael Vick, the Ravens had their hands tied by the specifics of the CBA. Ngata could not renegotiate or receive a long-term extension because he made 30 percent more in 2010 than 2009. The team's brass wants to make Ngata a "Raven for life" once the next CBA goes into effect.

Ravens assigned the franchise tag to DT Haloti Ngata.