Roquan

Smith

Smith practiced in full on Friday, his first such practice of the week, before being removed from the injury report. Smith will be needed to slow the Eagles’ ferocious rushing offense. Fellow starting LB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring/neck) is unfortunately listed as doubtful though.

He was questionable despite not practicing last week, so a limited practice should put him in a better spot to be active in Week 13 against the Eagles. Smith has had a down season in coverage but is one of the best in the business against the run and his physicality will be key for a Ravens defense hoping to minimize the damage against Saquon Barkley.

Smith entered the game listed as questionable. After going through a 15 minute pre-game workout, it was ultimately determined that he could not go against the Chargers for the Harbaugh Bowl.

Smith was listed as questionable heading into the weekend, but the veteran linebacker didn’t log a practice this week, making him an increasingly long shot to be active on Monday night. After Monday’s game against the Chargers, the Ravens get a Week 13 matchup at home against the Eagles and then enter their Week 14 bye. Smith may miss at least one more game to have additional time to recover from the injury he suffered late in last week’s loss to the Steelers.

Smith left in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Steelers and did not return. If we don’t have an update before Thursday, then the most we’ll know about his Week 12 availability will come when the team releases its first injury report. The Ravens face the Chargers on Monday night, giving Smith an extra day to heal up. He briefly attempted to play through the injury, so it’s possible some rest and rehab is all he’ll need to avoid missing Week 12.

Smith was being evaluated in the blue tent late in the third quarter but returned to the field. Early in the fourth quarter, the Ravens’ star linebacker exited the field and was spotted without his helmet soon after. He was ruled out shortly after exiting, ending his day with 13 tackles and two TFLs.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the “simple restructure” of Smith’s deal frees up $4.875 million in cap space for the Ravens, giving them a little more room to spend if necessary. Smith is entering his second full season with the Ravens after being traded at the 2022 deadline. Smith totaled 158 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception last season and is under contract through 2027.

Oweh returned from a four-game absence because of the ankle issue last week. He played a limited role but tallied one sack and forced a fumble. He was added to the injury report as a limited participant on Thursday before being downgraded to a DNP on Friday. His status for Week 8 is shaky at best. Roquan Smith, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder issue, is good to go.

Smith did not show a major indication of injury during Sunday’s win against the Lions, but starts the week missing practice with an apparent shoulder injury. He is the Ravens’ top linebacker and centerpiece of their defense. Losing Smith would be a big hit to the Ravens defense for Week 8 against the Cardinals and his status is worth monitoring throughout the week.

After acquiring Smith near the trade deadline for a second-round pick, they hand him a record-breaking extension. Smith’s reported guaranteed money is tops at the off-ball linebacker position, slightly higher than the $43 million C.J. Mosley got when he left the Ravens to join the Jets. Smith finished the season with an 84.7 PFF grade for the Ravens and keyed a defensive turnaround for the unit. He’ll be a linchpin for the Ravens going forward. Taking care of their second-biggest free-agent-to-be also frees up Baltimore to use the franchise tag on Lamar Jackson should they desire.