Baltimore Ravens right tackle Jared Gaither has missed practice over the last week with spasms in his lower and upper back. This week, Gaither visited a back specialist in California, who discovered a small tear in Gaither's back that is causing the spasms.

"I don’t know the medical term for it," Ravens head John Harbaugh said. "It’s not a serious thing, but it’s going to keep him out for a couple weeks until it settles down because it’s what’s causing the spasms apparently. He’s going to have to work as hard as he can, and we’ll have to try to work it out. I wouldn’t hold my breath for about two weeks, three weeks through camp here and then we’ll see where we’re at at that point."

Gaither has started 28 of 33 games during his three-year career. The 6-9, 340-pounder from Maryland was expected to switch sides with 2009 first-round pick Michael Oher and start at right tackle. Gaither showed up to training nearly 30 pounds lighter to alleviate stress on foot and toe injuries, and missed a few of the early training camp practice with a mysterious ailment that required bloodwork.

When Gaither was cleared to return, his back began to spasm.

Oniel Cousins is expected to fill-in at right tackle while Gaither is sidelined, and could open the season at the team's starter opposite Oher.