Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is inactive for the team’s “Monday Night Football” game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Smith, who is a four-time All-Pro, did not practice all week and will miss the game with a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old leads the team in tackles with 110 — which ranks third in the NFL — and also has one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
As Baltimore’s left inside linebacker in its 3-4 alignment, he is a key cog in the defensive scheme and serves as the team’s signal caller. In his seven seasons with Baltimore and the Chicago Bears, Smith has never had less than 101 tackles.
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With Smith out, safety Kyle Hamilton is expected to wear the green dot and relay the defensive calls, but it will be much tougher to replace Smith’s production. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr said the Ravens will replace Smith “by committee,” which presumably means that Malik Harrison will play primarily on run downs and Chris Board will be in on passing downs. Both are more known for their special teams play.
The 7-4 Ravens have allowed more passing yards between the numbers (1,794 passing yards and a 75.8 completion percentage) than any team in football. Baltimore enters Monday night’s game 25th in yards allowed per game (362.0) and 23rd in points allowed per game (24.6). The Ravens are also 27th in first downs allowed per game (21.2).
Without Smith, the Chargers can further exploit what’s already a Ravens’ weakness. Quarterback Justin Herbert hasn’t been ultra-aggressive in attacking the middle this season, but he has the offensive coordinator (Greg Roman) and the inside assets (Ladd McConkey and Will Dissly) to do it.
ESPN was first to report that Smith was unlikely to play in Monday’s game.
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