While the Baltimore Ravens were putting forth their fourth top-10 defensive effort in five seasons in 2022, nose tackle Michael Pierce missed 14 games after tearing his biceps.

Pierce dealt with an elbow injury in 2021 when he was with the Minnesota Vikings and only played in eight games. So he hasn't had the best luck in the injury department lately. 

That certainly has put a chip on his shoulder, right? It sure did.

“Oh, certainly," Pierce said on Monday. "[I was] undrafted, fought my way from the back to be looked up as a leader on this defense and on this D-line. It’s more than I could’ve ever dreamed of or imagined. Just to have that opportunity to lead those guys and play next to ‘Brody’ [Broderick Washington] and ‘Buikes’ [Justin Madubuike] and everybody is a blessing in itself. It’s about proving who I am and just earning that each and every day, and then when the games come, putting it on film every week.” 

The Ravens were third against the run last season. With a healthy Pierce and his 345-pound frame being a space-eater to take on double teams to let guys like Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen roam from the linebacker spot should keep them as a force stopping opposing rushing attacks in 2023.

Pierce is 30 years old which makes it harder to come back from injuries, that's just the price of age. A way to counteract that is to find new ways and methods to keep his body fresh. 

The Alabama native has done just that and he talked about what he changed as far as his approach this season after his string of bad luck on the injury front. 

“Yes, certainly. Obviously, [I] started rehab. I came here, didn’t miss a day of OTAs. [I] just stayed in there with the training staff. They got me back strong, got me back healthy relatively quickly. [I’m] just doing the things I need to do every day. [I] took up hot yoga. I was talking to somebody over there. I go to The Mine and do hot yoga each and every Saturday, probably like twice a week. 

"I’m just being more flexible, more stretching, dialing in with [director of sports nutrition] Sarah [Snyder] in nutrition. [I’m] just doing all the little things that you can, especially as you get older in this league. You start to notice different things in your body. [I’m] just investing in myself, making sure I cross off every little thing that I can to make sure I can be here and durable for the next 17, 18, however many weeks we’ve got.” 

The best ability is availability, and that's what Pierce is seeking to find.

Ravens: Former first-round pick has tunnel vision despite uncertain future

His vision is clear.

Feature image via Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK