Wilson: Ravens expect Reed, Mason to return

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh reiterated his belief that free safety Ed Reed and wide receiver Derrick Mason will not retire.

Reed has said he's "50-50" on whether he'll return due to lingering injuries, including a nerve impingement that affects his neck and shoulder.

League sources and Reed's teammates have told National Football Post that Reed isn't planning to retire, barring a medical setback.

Mason is an unrestricted free agent, but the Ravens are expected to make him an offer to stay.

"I believe Ed’s going to play next year," Harbaugh said. "If he doesn’t, we’ll have to have a plan in place to move on. There’s no better leader, no better football player, no better guy on our team than Ed Reed. We need him back. He’s a huge part of our puzzle.

"I would say the same thing about Derrick. That depends on contract things and where he's at as far as his career, but we're going to try to do everything we can to get Derrick back. You want as many good players as you can possibly get, and those are two really good players. I'm kind of somewhat counting on them right now as we go forward."

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