The most concerning development stemming from the Ravens’ 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday may have been the injury to top cornerback Jimmy Smith.
The fourth-year defensive back sustained a sprained left foot on the opening drive of the game and did not return. Smith initially jogged off the field with a pronounced limp before being carted to the locker room for further examination.
The Ravens announced Smith’s return was doubtful late in the first half, but he did not play the rest of the way.
In his absence, the Ravens had only two active cornerbacks in fellow starter Lardarius Webb and veteran Dominique Franks, who was forced into starting duty for the rest of the game. Struggling cornerback Chykie Brown was a healthy inactive for Sunday’s game.
Baltimore will hope Smith is healthy enough to return to action next Sunday as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for an incredible 522 yards and six touchdowns in a win over Indianapolis on Sunday.
Wide receiver Michael Campanaro also left the game with a hamstring injury and didn’t return.
Offensive linemen Eugene Monroe, Kelechi Osemele, and Marshal Yanda and wide receiver Torrey Smith also left the game at various points before returning to action.
Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith exits Sunday's loss with foot injury
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
Podcast Audio Vault
Right Now in Baltimore
Twelve Ravens Thoughts following Week 16 win over Pittsburgh
Marlon Humphrey provided the cathartic moment that slammed the door as Baltimore beat the Steelers for just the second time in the last 10 meetings.
Ravens finish strong for 34-17 win over Pittsburgh to pull even in AFC North
Lamar Jackson threw three touchdowns and Derrick Henry rushed for 162 yards, but Marlon Humphrey's pick-6 allowed Baltimore to pull away.
ColumnNes: Big plays, big hits and Ravens showed no quit against Steelers
The Ravens talked all week about being locked in, and in the end, they were. Creating turnovers. And even landing on your own fumbles. It all matters this time of year. Turnovers turn over games. The Steelers made too many…