Albert

McClellan

A special teams mainstay, McClellan was cut loose to clear space for trade acquisition Ty Montgomery.

Released at final cuts, McClellan is being brought back with C.J. Mosley questionable because of a knee injury.

An undrafted free agent in 2010, McClellan led the Ravens in special teams tackles last season, but saw few snaps on defense. Along with Corey Graham and Brendon Ayanbadejo, he’ll anchor the Ravens’ special teams unit in 2012.

The Ravens’ leading special teams tackler, McClellan also filled in at inside linebacker for one late-season start. McClellan will be the underdog going into camp, as Harbaugh expects Kruger to “rise to the occasion and have a heck of a year.” Sergio Kindle wasn’t mentioned as a candidate for the job.

McClellan was one of three undrafted starters on a Ravens defense that constant harassed Alex Smith while shutting down the 49ers offense. Special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo replaced McClellan on third downs. Starter Ray Lewis (toe) believes he has a chance to “come back totally 100 percent” with 10 days to rest before the Browns game in Week 13.

Upshaw will have an MRI on Friday. “Yeah, I’m concerned,” coach John Harbaugh said. Upshaw had been struggling to separate from Albert McClellan for a starting linebacker job. McClellan has emerged as the favorite to start.

Upshaw arrived to camp over his 270-pound playing weight and missed a week of practices with a sprained right shoulder while McClellan has played at a high level. “You’ve got to earn your stripes. You’ve got to earn your position, no matter what,” Harbaugh explained. “I don’t know why a lot of people would think that [Upshaw would be handed a starting job]. It’s pretty presumptuous. The best guys play.”

McClellan was arrested on June 30. He’s facing charges of misdemeanor battery and simple assault with threat or intent to do violence, but the alleged victim has filed a waiver “not to prosecute.” The Ravens have reportedly known about the incident since June. McClellan recently overtook rookie Courtney Upshaw as the favorite to start in place of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs (Achilles’ surgery) while he’s on the reserve/PUP list.

McClellan hasn’t been participating in OTAs, but he’s expected back for the start of training camp. The former undrafted free agent started 11 games last season, recording 49 tackles and a sack. McClellan will compete with Jameel McClain and Daryl Smith for the starting inside ‘backer spot next to Arthur Brown.

With Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe gone, the Ravens are dreadfully thin on the inside. McClellan, mostly a special teamer through the first two years of his career, did record 49 tackles and one sack a year ago. He also has the size 6'2/245 to hold up in the middle. Harbaugh also noted that Courtney Upshaw will remain on the outside.