The Ravens will be without their best cornerback as they meet Philadelphia in their home finale on Sunday afternoon.
After missing practices all week with a right ankle sprain, Jimmy Smith was officially ruled out on Friday and will miss his third full game of the season. Smith was injured late in the first quarter of Monday’s 30-23 loss at New England and didn’t return.
Though the Eagles are tied for 21st in passing offense behind rookie quarterback Carson Wentz and an underwhelming group of wide receivers, Smith’s status remains uncertain with a crucial showdown at Pittsburgh looming on Christmas Day. It’s no secret that the Baltimore pass defense has struggled dramatically without him on the field, allowing their four biggest passing totals of the season in games in which Smith missed substantial action.
The Ravens gave up a season-high 401 passing yards to the Patriots in Week 14.
“You hate to lose one of your best corners, but you definitely have to continue to play ball,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We have something we’re trying to do. We can’t let us losing a guy on defense stop us.”
Other than Smith, the Ravens are in relatively good shape from a health standpoint with no other players ruled out or listed as doubtful. Nickel cornerback Jerraud Powers (concussion), tight end Crockett Gillmore (hamstring), defensive back Anthony Levine (toe), and guard Alex Lewis (ankle) were designated as questionable to play against the Eagles.
Powers remains on the last step of the NFL’s concussion protocol and practiced on a limited basis all week. Of course, his status is more significant now with Smith out and Shareece Wright already expected to be in the starting lineup.
Gillmore, Levine, and Lewis were full participants in Friday’s practice.
Meanwhile, the Eagles officially ruled out veteran running back Darren Sproles, who sustained a concussion in last Sunday’s loss to Washington. Starting right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai is also out with a knee injury.
Wide receiver Jordan Matthews (ankle) was designated as questionable after participating fully in practices on Thursday and Friday.
The referee for Sunday’s game will be Craig Wrolstad.
According to Weather.com, the Sunday forecast calls for rain with temperatures reaching the high 50s and winds up 16 miles per hour.
Below is the final injury report of the week:
BALTIMORE
OUT: CB Jimmy Smith (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: TE Crockett Gillmore (thigh), DB Anthony Levine (toe), G Alex Lewis (ankle), CB Jerraud Powers (concussion)
PHILADELPHIA
OUT: RB Darren Sproles (concussion), OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: G Allen Barbre (hamstring), TE Brent Celek (stinger), WR Dorial Green-Beckham (abdomen), LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (illness), WR Jordan Matthews (ankle)
