A sizable number of Ravens players sat out the third preseason game against the Detroit Lions, but the return of a fan favorite not named Joe Flacco delighted the crowd.

Six-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs played for the first time since suffering a torn left Achilles tendon in the 2015 season opener at the Denver Broncos on Sept.?13. Although he played only in the first quarter and finished with just two tackles, Suggs did not appear inhibited by his surgically repaired tendon.

“It felt great; I'm not going to lie,” Suggs said. “I keep being reminded of how fortunate I am every time I line up on that field. You never really know how much you miss something until you don't have it anymore. I've really missed being out there, so I loved every minute of tonight.”

Suggs, 33, the longest-tenured Ravens player, listed at 6 feet 3 and 265 pounds, was activated from the team's physically-unable-to-perform list Aug. 18. .

Suggs' return provided a lift to a starting defense that missed nose tackle Brandon Williams (undisclosed), outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (foot surgery) and free safety Lardarius Webb (undisclosed).

Brooks fills in for Webb: Despite practicing all week and participating in pregame warmups, Webb, the team's projected starter at free safety, did not play. He incurred a minor physical problem and was held out for precautionary reasons.

Webb's absence opened the door for Terrence Brooks to start alongside strong safety Eric Weddle. Brooks had a tackle and a pass breakup. Outside linebacker Albert McClellan, who has started all three preseason games for Dumervil, had two tackles.

Other Ravens who did not play included wide receivers Steve Smith Sr. (Achilles) and Breshad Perriman (partially torn left ACL), running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot), left guard John Urschel (bruise), cornerbacks Maurice Canady (hamstring), Kyle Arrington (concussion) and Jerraud Powers (undisclosed), strong safety Matt Elam (knee), free safety Kendrick Lewis (undisclosed) and outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (ankle).

Receivers take turns at returning: The Ravens had a wide receiver return kickoffs, but it wasn't Michael Campanaro (River Hill).

Mike Wallace stood in the end zone for the opening kickoff, which resulted in a touchback. Chris Moore caught a kickoff ending in another touchback after Lions kicker Matt Prater converted a 28-yard field goal with 12:06 left in the second quarter.

Wallace and Moore were surprise appearances as Campanaro has been listed as the primary kick and punt returner. Campanaro did field two punts, fair-catching one in the first quarter and returning another for 15 yards in the third.

Rookie wide receiver Keenan Reynolds (Navy)returned one punt for 12 yards in the fourth quarter.

Jernigan's early evening: Defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan had a rough night.

Near the end of the second quarter, the third-year player was flagged for unnecessary roughness after diving atop Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had already slid to the turf. The 15-yard penalty contributed to a 60-yard field goal from Prater as time expired and earned Jernigan a conversation with coach John Harbaugh as the team walked to the locker room at halftime.

Jernigan, who finished with three tackles and one sack, watched the remainder of the game from the sideline.

“Between Coach Harbaugh and [defensive line] Coach [Joe] Cullen, they want me to be perfect,” Jernigan said. “So he definitely had something to say about it, but I think once we kind of look at the play on film, they'll kind of see what I had seen. I thought the guy was going to get back up and keep going. So I was just playing hard and trying to make a play.”

End zone: In addition to the return of a pair of former Ravens coaches in head coach Jim Caldwell and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, the Lions' staff included Randy Edsall. The former Maryland football coach is listed as the team's director of football research – special projects. … Olympic gold-medal wrestler Helen Maroulis attended the game and was invited by Harbaugh to speak to the team. During pregame warmups, the Rockville resident chatted with several Ravens players and allowed Harbaugh to hold the gold medal she captured during the Rio Games. … Suggs and free safety Anthony Levine Sr. represented the Ravens for the coin toss.

edward.lee@baltsun.com

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