If Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is suspended for multiple games for an incident in which he allegedly assaulted his wife (then fiancee) at a casino, there will be a big hole -- and a big opportunity -- in the team's backfield.

Bernard Pierce appears poised to seize that opportunity.

Pierce told Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun that he's been fully cleared to resume football activities following offseason shoulder surgery.

"My shoulder definitely got a lot better," Pierce said Tuesday. "I know that this is when the real grind starts. It was strenuous today, but overall it was definitely helpful."

Pierce added that he's shed weight to improve his movement on the field.

The 24-year-old battled injuries in a somewhat ineffective 2013 campaign, but he's flashed serious potential at times.

With a new offensive coordinator in town (former Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak) who brings with him a one-cut zone running scheme that Pierce appears to be a great fit for, it's plausible that Pierce could grab hold of the Ravens' starting running back job in Rice's absence and never give it back.