Owings Mills, MD (Sports Network) - Baltimore Ravens starting middle linebacker Jameel McClain will miss the rest of the season with a spinal cord contusion, according to coach John Harbaugh.

McClain suffered the injury during a Week 14 game against the Washington Redskins.

The 27-year-old was held out of Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos. He had started 45 consecutive contests for the Ravens and had never missed a game since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2008.

McClain had 79 tackles in 13 games this season.

The Ravens locked up a playoff spot on Sunday due to Pittsburgh's overtime loss to Dallas. Baltimore (9-5) holds a one-game lead over the Bengals for first place in the AFC North heading into this Sunday's game against the Giants.

12/17 16:40:45 ET