Upshaw will likely play more snaps due to Terrell Suggs' season-ending Achilles injury, the Ravens' official website reports.

Upshaw split snaps with Elvis Dumervil the past two seasons, mostly playing on early downs. Upshaw will now take on a larger role as a pass-rusher, something he hasn't shown any aptitude for in the NFL. Dumervil will also get more snaps, with Za'Darius Smith and Albert McClellan potentially playing larger roles off the bench. Dumervil is the best IDP candidate, but he still figures to be very reliant on sacks.

Upshaw and Elvis Dumervil are listed as co-starters at outside linebacker on the Ravens' initial depth chart, SB Nation's Jason Butt reports.

The Ravens will likely go with the same plan they used last year, with Upshaw handling most of the early-down snaps while Dumervil plays more on passing downs. Upshaw played about 60 percent of the Ravens' defensive snaps last season, but Dumervil was the far better player, despite playing a bit more than half of the snaps. Once you consider that Dumervil missed one full game and part of another, it was essentially a 50-50 split, with the Ravens using both players in certain packages. Coming off a 30-tackle, 1.5-sack season, Upshaw faces a difficult path to IDP relevance, though he does seem to have some hype building around team headquarters.

ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley observed that OLB Courtney Upshaw looked even bigger than he did in the spring when he reported to the team overweight.

Reporting to camp overweight is becoming an annual thing for Upshaw. His normal playing weight is in the 270-275 pound range, and he's likely knocking on the door of 300 at the moment. Upshaw is entering his third season and will be counted on to set the edge as a run defender on early downs.

Ravens OLB Courtney Upshaw reported to the team overweight once again this summer.

Upshaw was called out by coach John Harbaugh last year when Harbs said Upshaw "eats too much." Last year, he reported to the Ravens in the 295-pound range. Upshaw's ideal playing weight is 270-275. Upshaw is the early-down edge-setter against the run. He gives way to Elvis Dumervil on passing downs.

The Ravens are using Courtney Upshaw as a starter on early downs, and replacing him with Elvis Dumervil in nickel and dime situations.

It's a sensible plan because Upshaw is a proficient edge-setting run defender, while Dumervil is an undersized if explosive outside pass rusher. The Ravens have dominant pass-rush potential this season with Dumervil and Terrell Suggs outside, and Chris Canty, Haloti Ngata, and Arthur Jones stressing the interior. Upshaw has not displayed impact pass-rush ability as a pro.

Ravens LB Courtney Upshaw is back down to the 275-pound "range."

Upshaw ballooned as high as 295 pounds earlier this offseason, prompting coach John Harbaugh to bluntly state he "eats too much." Upshaw blamed his weight gain on "personal issues." Upshaw failed his initial conditioning test as a rookie, but his trainer insists he'll pass this season. Upshaw is expected to serve as a rotational backup on both the inside and outside this season.

According to Ravens coach John Harbaugh, LB Courtney Upshaw "eats too much."

Upshaw ballooned up to 285 pounds this offseason after being listed at 272 as a rookie, something he's blamed on "personal issues." It sounds like his issue is really just an improper diet. "He knows that's something that he's going to have to get a handle on or he's not going to be the best he can be," Harbaugh said. "We have everybody in our building involved in it." Expected to be a reserve both at inside and outside linebacker, Upshaw shouldn't have much trouble making weight.

Ravens LB Courtney Upshaw blames being out of shape on "personal issues."

Upshaw is up to 285 pounds after being listed at 272 as a rookie. "My offseason has been kind of hectic," Upshaw said. "I had a personal issue where I had to handle that. Right now, I'm trying to get back into football shape." Expected to see snaps both on the inside and outside this season, Upshaw should have little issue making weight before camp.

Ravens LB Courtney Upshaw admitted Sunday that he is currently 285 pounds and attempting to "work his way back into shape."

Upshaw said he missed workouts due to a "personal issue." His weight is now a concern for both himself and the team. A second-round pick out of Alabama in 2012, Upshaw weighed 273 pounds at the Combine and is clearly too heavy. He's expected to be a rotational player this year, playing inside and outside behind Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Arthur Brown, and Jameel McClain.

The Ravens haven't ruled out the possibility of using Courtney Upshaw at inside linebacker in 2013.

In an interview on 105.7 The Fan, Ravens DC Dean Pees commented on Upshaw's role now that the Ravens have added OLB Elvis Dumervil. "The way we teach this defense, all the [linebackers] have to know all four spots," said Pees. The Ravens face an uphill battle at inside linebacker with Ray Lewis retiring, Dannell Ellerbe signing with Miami, and Jameel McClain still recovering from a spinal cord injury.

The Ravens are expected to use 2012 second-round pick Courtney Upshaw at outside linebacker on running downs in his second year.

With Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs as the pass-rush specialists, the Ravens will be able to field a scary three-way outside 'backer rotation that keeps the trio fresh and productive. Upshaw was one of the better edge-setting, run-defending 3-4 linebackers in football last season. Suggs is also a strong run defender, so look for Dumervil and Upshaw to rotate in and out the most.

The National Football Post's Dan Pompei reports the Ravens believe OLB Courtney Upshaw is "ready to blossom" as a pass rusher and become a complete player.

It's one of the main reasons the team didn't go out of its way to bring back Paul Kruger. Coach John Harbaugh told Pompei that Upshaw, the No. 35 overall pick in last year's draft, was "dominant on the edge" in his rookie year despite only managing 1.5 sacks. Upshaw's presence may be one reason why free agent Elvis Dumervil hasn't been signed yet.

Ravens OLB Courtney Upshaw is expected to get more opportunities to rush the passer in his second season.

Upshaw was a stud against the run in his rookie season, but he notched just 1.5 sacks after recording 16.5 of them in his final two seasons at Alabama. With Paul Kruger now out of the picture, Upshaw should see plenty of snaps opposite Terrell Suggs. The Ravens are also eyeing free agent Elvis Dumervil.

NFL.com's Albert Breer believes OLB Courtney Upshaw's play as a rookie could make the Ravens more willing to let OLB Paul Kruger walk in free agency.

Rookie OLB Courtney Upshaw started ahead of Paul Kruger in the Ravens' Week 3 win over the Patriots.

The Ravens chose to go with a rotation here, possibly due to Kruger's back injury. Either way, the pass rush continues to struggle badly without Terrell Suggs (Achilles). Upshaw and Kruger combined for no sacks of Tom Brady.

Courtney Upshaw (shoulder) practiced fully on Saturday.

Upshaw has been dealing with a bruised right shoulder since last month. He was the early favorite for the Ravens' SLB job, but was overtaken by Albert McClellan. Upshaw is off the fantasy radar except in deep dynasty leagues where he's worth a roster stash.

Ravens second-round OLB Courtney Upshaw re-injured his right shoulder Thursday night.

Upshaw will have an MRI on Friday. "Yeah, I'm concerned," coach John Harbaugh said. Upshaw had been struggling to separate from Albert McClellan for the starting rush linebacker job.

Coach John Harbaugh confirmed that second-round DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw has lost ground to Albert McClellan since opening training camp with the first-team defense.

Upshaw arrived to camp over his 270-pound playing weight and missed a week of practices with a sprained right shoulder while McClellan has played at a high level. "You've got to earn your stripes. You've got to earn your position, no matter what," Harbaugh explained. "I don't know why a lot of people would think that [Upshaw would be handed a starting job]. It's pretty presumptuous. The best guys play."

Ravens second-round rookie Courtney Upshaw is projected to start at strong-side linebacker in Week 1.

Jarret Johnson manned that position last year, compiling 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three pass breakups. Upshaw has the natural ability to improve on those numbers, but his IDP upside would have been higher if he was asked to fill in for Terrell Suggs (Achilles'). For now, it looks like Paul Kruger will take over that role.