ExtremeRavens Posted November 25 Posted November 25 INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Ravens’ already struggling defense has suffered another blow. Inside linebacker Roquan Smith, who didn’t practice all week because of a hamstring injury, will not be available for Monday night’s critical AFC showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. The two-time All-Pro was ruled out Monday after being listed as questionable earlier in the week. Smith, 27, is tied for the most tackles in the NFL with 110. It marks the first time he has missed a game because of injury since late in the 2019 season when he finished the year on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle while a member of the Chicago Bears. The defensive signal-caller suffered this latest injury on the first play of the fourth quarter of Baltimore’s 18-16 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Nov. 17 and did not return. How the Ravens will replace Smith remains to be seen. One option could be starting Malik Harrison and rotating in Chris Board. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr said last week the team would replace Smith by committee. “Not one person is going to replace Roquan,” Orr said. “Roquan’s an every-down linebacker [and] a top linebacker in this league [and] All-Pro for a reason. We like our guys that we have in the room. They got to step up, and we got to step up collectively as a defense, and that linebacker room [has] to step up collectively as a group.” Even with Smith, the Ravens’ defense has not played to its usual standard. Baltimore is 26th in yards allowed per game (362) and 23rd in points allowed per game (24.6). The middle of the field has also been a weak spot, particularly against the pass, with the Ravens ranking last in passing yards allowed per game (284.5) and 27th in yards per pass (7.7). Other inactives for the Ravens are cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf), rookie safety Sanoussi Kane (ankle), outside linebacker David Ojabo, backup center Nick Samac (chest) and rookie running back Rasheen Ali. Center Tyler Linderbaum (back) and defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle) are active after being listed as questionable. Inactive for the Chargers are linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin), cornerback Cam Hart (concussion/ankle), wide receiver D.J. Chark, running back Kimani Vidal, offensive linemen Brenden Jaimes and Jordan McFadden, and quarterback Easton Stick, who is the emergency third quarterback. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder), outside linebackers Khalil Mack (groin) and Bud Dupree (foot), and safety AJ Finley (ankle) are active after being listed as questionable. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.