OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens received no early Christmas present on Wednesday as Jimmy Smith remained sidelined from practice ahead of their Week 16 showdown with Pittsburgh.
The starting cornerback injured his right ankle in the first quarter of the Week 14 loss to New England and hasn’t returned to the field since. The Ravens were able to squeak out a 27-26 win over Philadelphia last Sunday, but Smith’s absence could spell major trouble against a Steelers passing game ranking fifth in the NFL.
“We don’t know what will happen. We’ll see Sunday night,” safety Eric Weddle said. “Christmas under the lights. It’s going to be tough with Jimmy or without. They present so many challenges and matchups across the board. They’re playing outstanding football.”
Veteran Shareece Wright started in place of Smith against the Eagles in Week 15 and appeared to hold up well in coverage, but the four highest passing totals surrendered by the Baltimore defense this season have come in games in which Smith has missed significant time.
Named to his sixth straight Pro Bowl on Tuesday night, left guard Marshal Yanda was given the day off from practice as has frequently been the case on Wednesdays in the second half of the season. Rookie linebacker Kamalei Correa (ribs) was also absent as the Ravens practiced indoors.
Despite missing his seventh straight game with a lingering hamstring injury this past Sunday, tight end Crockett Gillmore is no longer listed on the injury report.
The Steelers are dealing with key injuries of their own as defensive end Stephon Tuitt (knee) and tight end Ladarius Green (concussion) missed practice on Wednesday.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: LB Kamalei Correa (ribs), CB Jimmy Smith (ankle), G Marshal Yanda (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DB Anthony Levine (toe)
FULL PARTICIPATION: G Alex Lewis (ankle)
PITTSBURGH
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: LB Anthony Chickillo (ankle), OT Marcus Gilbert (non-injury), TE Ladarius Green (concussion), QB Ben Roethlisberger (non-injury), S Shamarko Thomas (concussion), DE Stephon Tuitt (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot), DE Ricardo Mathews (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION: RB DeAngelo Williams (knee)
