After one of their best defensive performances of the season, the Baltimore Ravens now have another issue to worry about.
Roquan Smith missed practice again on Friday because of a hamstring injury. While the Ravens didn’t officially rule him or anyone else out for Monday night’s game, Smith’s status looks uncertain.
“Definitely, it will be a challenge if Roquan can’t go,” said defensive coordinator Zach Orr. “We’re holding out hope and everything like that. I think it’ll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan’s an every-down linebacker.”
Even though the Ravens lost 18-16 last weekend, they didn’t allow a touchdown, which was a positive sign for a team that ranks 26th in the league for total defense. Baltimore will play on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday.
The Ravens seem to have avoided one major issue. Star safety Kyle Hamilton injured his ankle against Cincinnati on Nov. 7, but he was able to play nearly every defensive snap the following week against Pittsburgh.
However, Smith was hurt in that game and didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday. Linebacker Malik Harrison had a season-high number of tackles last weekend and is expected to play a bigger role if Smith can’t go.
“We tell these guys, ‘You’re one play away from going in there — you never know, so you got to stay ready.’ Malik — he was ready,” Orr said. “I thought he went in there and did a good job, especially after the first series, he settled down. That’s what we expect from him.”
It’s hard to know if last week’s defensive performance can be a turning point for Baltimore. The Ravens allowed just 10 points in a dominant win over Buffalo in Week 4, then gave up 38 to Cincinnati the next game. After allowing just 10 points against Denver, the Ravens were then shredded by the Bengals again a few days later.
So, they haven’t yet shown they can play well defensively and build on it.
“I think it’s easier said than done. It’s something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing,” Hamilton said.
“We’re aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better, and I think that’s kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now.”
Hamilton’s ability to make an impact everywhere on the field is one of the reasons he is so valuable. However, positioning him deep in the defense is a way the Ravens can try to prevent big passing plays.
Pittsburgh’s Russell Wilson threw for only 205 yards against Baltimore, while Joe Burrow threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns in the previous game.
“I’ve always seen myself as a safety. A versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety,” Hamilton said. “If I’m asked to go play safety, I feel like that’s not an issue for me to play safety if I’m a safety.”
