Baltimore Ravens injury news: Joe Flacco sidelined for rest of season due to knee

Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens in this file photo.(Reuters)

The 2015 National Football League (NFL) regular season just got worse for the Baltimore Ravens as starting quarterback Joe Flacco suffered left knee injuries that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. 

Earlier reports said Flacco suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their 16–13 win over the St. Louis Rams last Sunday, and may have also sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear. 

NBC Sports reported that Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Flacco tore his ACL and MCL in the fourth quarter against the Rams. 

Flacco hurt the knee during the first play of the last drive of Sunday's game when teammate left tackle James Hurst inadvertently fell to his knee after a throw. 

The 30-year-old quarterback then hobbled following the contact but continued playing despite the injury. 

"It's just the nature of the game, man. Stuff like this happens. So you've just got to stand tall and get through it," Flacco said about the injury according to NFL.com. 

Since Flacco will be out for the season, his streak of 122 consecutive starts since getting selected 18th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft will now end. 

In 10 games played this season, the former Delaware Fightin' Blue Hen has 266 completions for 2,791 yards and 14 touchdowns, also throwing 12 interceptions. 

Now that Flacco will be out, the Ravens will focus on the next man up for them in veteran passer Matt Schaub. 

Schaub has yet to play a game this 2015 season and according to ESPN, has not started a game for two years now. 

But the 34-year-old footballer will now be the main quarterback for Baltimore as they move forward and try to have a better finish to an already bad season. 

The Ravens still have six games in their regular season schedule and will start life without Flacco when they take on the Cleveland Browns on Monday.