In the high-stakes game of NFL on-field strategy, injury news may be as important as a queen on the board. As an example, the Baltimore Ravens are now battling the possibility of losing All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith before their primetime matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers on “Monday Night Football.” The Baltimore Ravens claim that Smith missed practice the week after missing Week 11 because of a hamstring issue, but it is still unclear if he will play on Monday.
The stakes are obvious. No Smith, no dynamic defensive leader, and no elite tackler to stop the Chargers’ attacks. According to a statement provided by Sports Illustrated, defensive coordinator Zach Orr disclosed that the Ravens’ backup plan appears to be based on a “linebacker by committee” approach. “It really just depends on what the Chargers give us,” Orr stated. He admitted that in the event that Smith was unable to play, a variety of players would tackle the huge void left by his departure.
With a stat sheet that shows 64 tackles, including five for losses, Trenton Simpson, the rising second-year linebacker, looks ready to take on some of the workload. Players like Chris Board and Malik Harrison are also available and willing to participate. It will all come together thanks to All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. In Smith’s absence, he is anticipated to wear the green dot and coordinate the defense’s on-field calls.
“Not one person is going to replace Roquan,” Zach Orr stated in an interview with Sports Illustrated while preparing his defense for any changes that might be made. Smith’s importance in the Ravens’ defensive approach is demonstrated by the fact that he is tied for the NFL lead in tackles with 110. “Roquan is an every-down linebacker [and] a top linebacker in this league [and] All-Pro for a reason,” Orr said, acknowledging the difficult task ahead. He will not be replaced by any man. We appreciate the guys in the room; they are there for a reason, and someone [must] take the initiative. They had to take the initiative, and we all had to take the defensive stance together.”
At SoFi Stadium, kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. In the midst of Monday night’s dramatic show, all eyes will be on Baltimore’s shuffled deck as they take on a dangerous Chargers club.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply