Along with Ray Lewis, safety Ed Reed has been the heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens defense for a decade now.

But while Lewis is saying he plans to return for a 17th NFL season with the Ravens falling one step shy of a return to the Super Bowl, Baltimore really has no idea yet what Reed's plans will be.

There had been whispers from some of Reed's teammates that he could retire, but until something changes, the Ravens are assuming that the star safety is planning to play again next season.

"Ed doesn’t give definitive answers,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Wednesday . “We’re assuming he’s going to be back. He’s under contract and I think he still has the desire to play.”

Reed may not give definitive answers, but if he retires, it will leave a definitive hole in the Ravens secondary.

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Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com