Ravens DT Haloti Ngata's franchise tag, expected to be applied very shortly, will be worth roughly $12.5 million.

Ngata can thank Albert Haynesworth (and Dan Snyder) for skyrocketing the tag's price after it cost $7 million for defensive tackles in 2010. Ngata is a lock for the franchise tag as a steppingstone toward a long-term deal.

According to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, the Ravens are expected to retain free agent DT Haloti Ngata with the franchise tag.

The Ravens can't sign him to an extension without a new CBA, so using the tag is essentially their only means of ensuring Ngata's return. It's possible that a record number of franchise and transition tags will be used throughout the NFL after the Super Bowl. GM Ozzie Newsome remains intent on signing Ngata long term. Tagging him is the first step in that direction.

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome reiterated Thursday that team's desire to sign free agent DT Haloti Ngata to a long-term extension.

"Haloti is a priority," he said. "We want to get him under contract. History shows we'll do that." Ngata racked up career highs on tackles (63), sacks (5.5), and sack yardage (43) in 2010 while making a second straight Pro Bowl. He's likely to command elite defensive end money in the $12M-a-year range.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said impending free agent DT Haloti Ngata is "priority No. 1" for the team this offseason.

As he should be. Ngata had arguably the best season of his career in 2010, registering career highs in tackles (63) and sacks (5.5). Harbaugh admitted that Ngata's situation could be tricky because of the likely lockout, but the Ravens will certainly do everything within their power to lock him up on a long-term deal.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh admitted that DT Haloti Ngata was limited by his thigh injury early on against the Chiefs, but he felt better as the game went on.

Ngata didn't register a tackle in the game, which is the first time that's happened since Week 14 of last season. However, Harbaugh said Ngata "came through it well" and that he "looks like he's in good shape." The Ravens need Ngata to be at his best against Rashard Mendenhall and the Steelers this weekend.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting Ravens DT Haloti Ngata (knee) will play in Sunday's Week 6 matchup against New England.

Ngata suffered a mild MCL sprain playing in garbage time in Week 5. The massive defensive tackle was expected to play all week, so don't let this influence your opinion on Tom Brady and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata plans on playing in Week 6 despite a mild MCL sprain.

Ngata was injured while playing offense in a 4th-and-1 situation at the goal line in Week 5. You can bet coach John Harbaugh would have been criticized heavily had Ngata went down with a serious injury in such a role, but thankfully it appears not to be serious.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata is tied for the league lead in tackles by a defensive lineman.

Former teammate and now Bills' defensive end Dwan Edwards and Giants' end Justin Tuck are tied with Ngata, each having racked up 26 tackles on the young season. Ngata has quickly become one of the league's top defensive tackles, though it will be interesting to see if the Ravens reward him with a contract extension that has more guaranteed money than Albert Haynesworth.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata gave the team a scare Monday when he walked off the field with a back injury.

It's not considered serious, though, according to coach John Harbaugh. "I think he caught a helmet or something in his back," Harbaugh said. "He should be fine." It appears the Ravens can breathe a sigh of relief.

The Baltimore Sun suggests that the Ravens ultimately may have to use the financial parameters of Ndamukong Suh's $68 million rookie contract to extend Haloti Ngata deal.

It's not like Ngata is going to settle for less money than that given to a player at his position who's never played an NFL snap. Ngata is in a contract year. The Ravens will almost certainly have to guarantee him a Suh-like $40 million, and the Sun believes the maximum value could approach $75 million.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata (pectorals) is expected to be a full participant throughout training camp.

He's back to 100 percent. Already a dominant run defender, Ngata will be motivated to improve his pass-rushing statistics in the final year of his contract.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata (torn pectorals) returned to individual drills for the first time this offseason.

Ngata wasn't expected to do much practice work before training camp, so his recovery is coming along nicely. He should be back to full health in August.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata is roughly 6-8 weeks away from returning from a torn pectoral muscle suffered in the Pro Bowl.

"It sucks," Ngata said. "I was actually trying to hurt somebody else and I hurt myself." It sounds like he probably won't do anything on the field before training camp, which will give Terrence Cody plenty of snaps in his place.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata suffered a slightly torn pectorals muscle in the Pro Bowl and is currently recovering from surgery.

Ngata may miss the early portion of Organized Team Activities, but he's due back "well" before the start of camp. The Ravens are strongly interested in locking up the mammoth 340-pound run-plugger long term. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Ngata is due less than $1 million this season.