Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is currently on the shelf after undergoing a foot procedure, but he is reportedly making strides toward returning to action.
Continue for updates.
Report: Smith Expected to Recover in 4-to-6 Weeks
Friday, April 29
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the 27-year-old defensive back is set to get screws removed from his foot in the coming week. ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley later confirmed the report Friday.
Zrebiec revealed the Ravens are hopeful Smith will be out for only four to six weeks, and he explained what that could mean for Baltimore's draft strategy:
Per Hensley, Smith is expected to be ready for training camp in July and could potentially make it back in time for June's minicamp.
Smith has emerged as the Ravens' most consistent and reliable cornerback over the past three seasons after being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft out of Colorado.
He started all 16 games in 2015, registering 54 tackles, a career-high three interceptions and his first NFL touchdown.
Injuries have plagued Smith during his career, however, as he has appeared in all 16 games just twice in five seasons. That included eight missed contests in 2014 due to a foot ailment, which he is dealing with once again.
When Smith is healthy, he is an unquestioned starter across from Lardarius Webb. While that starting combo is a solid one, the Ravens lack quality depth with inconsistent options like Kyle Arrington, Will Davis and Shareece Wright backing them up.
Smith's availability will be vital to Baltimore's pass defense in 2016, as it allowed 30 touchdowns through the air and had a league-worst six interceptions even with Smith in the lineup last season.
Getting the procedure done now should ensure Smith is good to go for 2016, and that is a great sign for a Ravens team that is looking to bounce back from a 2015 campaign that saw them lose many of their top players on both sides of the ball due to injury.
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from Bleacher Report - Baltimore Ravens http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2636693-jimmy-smith-injury-updates-on-ravens-cbs-recovery-from-foot-surgery
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