RAVENS Ray Lewis undergoes season-ending surgery

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis underwent season-ending surgery on his torn right hamstring Wednesday, concluding a frustrating year in which he played in only six games.
Lewis has been sidelined since Oct. 23, when he left in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Chicago Bears. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year worked hard to return from the injury, but finally decided surgery was the best route.
The operation was performed in south Florida.
"It was the right thing to do. It gives him the maximum rehab time, multiple opinions," Ravens coach Brian Billick said Wednesday. "He sought them all, we sought them all. It was great that we were able to come to a resolution. I'm sure he's comfortable with it."
Even though he's missed the past six weeks, Lewis still ranks second on the Ravens with 77 tackles. His replacement in the middle, Tommy Polley, has 93.
"It was an adjustment early on, but now I'm settling in a little bit," Polley said. "Still, we're going to miss Ray and all the intangibles he brings. He's a Hall of Fame player and a leader on this team."
It's the second time in four years an injury significantly cut short Lewis' season. In 2002, he played in only five games before being placed on injured reserve with a separated shoulder.
Lewis was listed as questionable last week against Houston, but never got close to being healthy enough to play. At that point, he began to seek other medical opinions.
He opted to have surgery and begin working toward next year, a decision likely influenced by the Ravens' poor performance this season.