Ravens welcome Haloti Ngata back from suspension

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Following a four-game suspension, 340-pound defensive lineman Haloti Ngata is back with the Baltimore Ravens just in time to throw his weight around in Saturday night's wild-card game at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"It's time to turn everything up. It's the playoffs, and so it's just an exciting time," the five-time Pro Bowler said Tuesday after his first practice since he was suspended for violating the NFL's performance enhancing drug policy.

Linebacker Terrell Suggs and Ngata are close.

"It couldn't have happened at a better time," Suggs said of Ngata's return. "He was missed a lot in the locker room and especially by me. But as soon as we won (and clinched the playoffs) … we were like, 'Oh, we get Haloti back now.' The locker room is kind of back complete, so to say."

In a statement at the time of the suspension, Ngata admitted using the stimulant Adderal, a drug commonly used under prescription for treatment of attention deficit disorders. Ngata had no prescription.

All things Ravens: Latest Baltimore Ravens news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

"I made a mistake, and I own this," said Ngata's statement at the time of his suspension.

"My hope is that the Ravens make the playoffs … and then I can come back and help us win."

The Ravens fulfilled his hopes by clinching a berth after a win Sunday over the Cleveland Browns.

Ngata's return is timely in that rookie Timmy Jernigan sustained a foot injury against Cleveland. His status for Saturday is uncertain.

Said Ravens coach John Harbaugh of Ngata's return: "It was great to have him out there. I talked to him yesterday when he came in."

And the nature of that meeting was?

"He was just making sure I stayed in shape," said Ngata. "(He) gave me a little poke in the stomach and stuff like that."

Did that poke assure Harbaugh that Ngata stayed in shape?

"I don't know. It's always going to be soft," said Ngata.

***

Follow Gary Mihoces on Twitter @ByGaryMihoces