Roquan

Smith

Smith upgraded his level of participation with each practice this week, starting with an absence before moving to limited and, finally, a full session. He appears to be ready for a normal workload in the interior of the Baltimore defense, a welcome development for the Ravens as they prepare to face the Bills.

Both players missed practice Wednesday, with their return Thursday a good step in the right direction for their availability in a marquee matchup against the Bills in Week 8. Quarterback Lamar Jackson and safety-linebacker Kyle Hamilton were also present at practice Thursday as the team inches closer to full strength.

Smith was one of several Ravens defenders to miss today’s session, though we’re expecting some of them to get back on the field later in the week. Smith has one interception, one forced fumble, and two sacks across seven games this year. We’re already expecting a shootout between the Ravens and Bills on Sunday, but Smith missing the contest would certainly increase the odds of fireworks on offense.

Neither are CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), ILB Roquan Smith (hamstring), or CB Marlon Humphrey (illness) — and outside of Humphrey missing Wednesday’s practice all four of those players got in full sessions all week. Baltimore’s defense finally looks to mostly be recovered from their early October swoon. Will they actually play better in Week 8? That’s the real question.

The Ravens’ defensive health is improving, though it still lacks a capable pass rush. CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) is practicing in full, as are S Kyle Hamilton (groin) and LB Roquan Smith (hamstring). This unit was one to target for fantasy purposes pre-bye, in Weeks 1-6, and will likely remain fantasy-friendly until it improves its defensive-front personnel. This week’s results against the Bears are worth watching.

Smith has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but was able to log a practice in his return from the Ravens bye week. With several days to go until Sunday’s game against the Bears, Smith is clearly trending in the right direction heading into a pivotal matchup with the Ravens’ season on the line.

The Ravens’ offense has struggled to move the ball downfield with Jackson sidelined. The team initially turned to backup QB Cooper Rush after Jackson was injured in Week 4, but Rush was benched in-game during the Ravens’ 17-3, Week 6 loss to the Rams. From Weeks 4-6, Rush completed 34-of-52 passes for 303 yards and four interceptions, adding four rushes for minus-eight yards. Fellow backup QB Tyler Huntley completed 10-of-15 passes for 68 yards and rushed three times for 39 yards after subbing in. Jackson’s expected return should immediately improve the fantasy-scoring prospects for all Ravens starters. Harbaugh said he expects LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) to return in Week 8 as well.

He didn’t practice at all this week. Neither did fellow ruled-out defender Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) — both players probably have a chance to come back after Baltimore’s Week 7 bye.

Awuzie is now on the wrong side of questionable. CB Marlon Humphrey’s calf injury and S Kyle Hamilton’s groin injury are evidently progressing, though. Hamilton’s full participation puts him firmly on track to play in Week 6 against the Rams. The Ravens have been a fantasy-friendly unit thus far. Improved health would go a long way toward reversing course. LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) also remains sidelined.

Linebacker Roquan Smith and fellow corner Chidobe Awuzie both missed Wednesday’s practice with hamstring injuries. With Lamar Jackson unlikely to play this week, the Ravens may ultimately choose to sit the bulk of their injured players for a likely loss to the Rams on Sunday. They then get their bye week, allowing them to return close to full strength for Week 8 versus the Bears.