CLEVELAND – Baltimore Ravens starting linebacker Malik Harrison was recovering Monday after being struck in the leg by a stray bullet while police said he was outside a Cleveland nightclub.
The Ravens released a statement saying Harrison suffered a non-life-threatening injury when he was shot in the left calf while attending a gathering Sunday night. The 23-year-old was treated at a hospital and has been in touch with team doctors.
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“I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the thoughts and prayers that you have sent my way the last 24 hours,” Harrison said in a message posted on Twitter on Monday night. “I want to thank the EMS crew and the staff at the hospital for treating me.”
Harrison said he's excited to be back on the football field very soon.
“I don't think it's severe at all,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. “I'm optimistic that it's going to be OK. I feel bad for the situation. Happy that he's OK, very grateful that he's OK and not hurt worse.”
The Ravens, who lead the AFC North, had their bye last week. They host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
According to a Cleveland police report obtained by The Associated Press, Harrison told officers, who were arresting four men involved in a shooting, that he was at a downtown club Sunday night when a fight broke out.
Harrison told police that security kicked people out of the club and he was outside with a group when they spotted someone with a firearm. Harrison said everyone began running and he heard shots fired.
Some details of the incident, as well as Harrison's medical information, is redacted in the report.
Harrison, who played at Ohio State, was drafted by the Ravens in the third round last year. He started six games as a rookie, getting 44 tackles. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder has started five games this season.
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