Report: Ravens All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith unlikely to play against Chargers

The defense is slated to be without their field general and emotional leader on Monday Night Football in the Harbaugh Bowl No. 3.

The Baltimore Ravens are expected to be without All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith against Justin Herbert and the surging Los Angeles Chargers tonight, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Smith suffered a hamstring injury late in last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and did not practice this week.

Smith was still listed as questionable on the Ravens’ final injury report, as the team would still trust him to play without practicing (if healthy). However, Smith’s hamstring could not heal up in time. Now, Smith is expected to miss the first game of his Ravens career due to injury. The two-time Pro-Bowler was one of several veteran starters who sat out of last year’s regular-season finale in Week 18 after the Ravens had clinched home-field advantage and a first-round bye the week prior.

Through the first 11 weeks of the season, Smith leads the Ravens in total tackles with 110, tied with Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Zaire Franklin for the league-lead. Smith was having his best game of the year thus far in Pittsburgh before his exit with 13 total tackles, including two for loss.

Smith plays a massive role in the Ravens defense with diverse responsibilities that rival the versatile usage of All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. He is also responsible for relaying the play calls from defensive coordinator Zach Orr to the rest of his teammates on the field as the wearer of the green dot. Hamilton is confident in his abilities to take over those duties.

“I’ve had it in my helmet pretty much every day at practice for the past 12 weeks,” Hamilton said last Thursday. “I remember they never told me I had the mic in my helmet, so Day One of practice, I just heard ‘Z.O.’ [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] in my ear, and it was a surprise, but I’ve gotten used to it now. I remember rookie minicamp I came out here, and I had the dot, and that was definitely a lot different than now. My head was spinning, so I didn’t really have a chance to get the guys the calls – I kind of feel bad for that. I’ve grown since then, but yes, if I’m asked to do so, then I will.”

Replacing a player of Smith’s caliber on the field will not fall on one player alone as the Orr said they will take a ‘by committee’ approach in the event he can’t play against the Chargers. Trenton Simpson is expected to step into Smith’s MIKE linebacker role, with Malik Harrison next to him on early downs and Chris Board playing in obvious passing situations. The Ravens could also go to more dime packages with Marcus Williams and Arthur Maulet. Core special teams contributor Kristian Welch, who was recently signed to the active roster following the release of two-time Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson. could be an option as well.

“Honestly, it really just depends on what the Chargers give us,” Orr said Friday. “Depending on what we want to run and what they want to run, as well. So, it’s a mixture of both, so you’ll see – if Roquan can’t go – you’ll see a mixture of guys in there.”