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| Smith could return by the end of the season. (US Presswire) |
Having already lost cornerback Lardarius Webb for the season with a torn ACL, the Ravens could ill afford to say goodbye to another starting cornerback for a long period of time.
But according to the team’s website, Jimmy Smith, who took over Webb’s starting role, underwent groin surgery Thursday. The team said he is expected to return by the end of the season, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports it was actually a sports hernia injury, which would make Smith’s recovery longer.
“You don’t expect all this to happen, but it’s football,” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said, via the team's website. “It’s professional football. Some years you go through and you’re unscathed. Some years you go through and it’s not. But you have to make do with what you got.”
Statistically, Smith, the team’s No. 27 overall draft pick in 2011, hasn’t been overly impressive. Pro Football Focus ranks him the 106th-best cornerback in the league this year (out of 106). According to PFF, Smith allows 66.7 percent of the balls thrown his way to be completed and opposing quarterbacks have a 92.4 rating when throwing to receivers covered by Smith.
Smith had planned on playing last week vs. the Raiders, but he couldn’t get his groin loose and had to stay on the sideline throughout the game.
In order to replace Smith’s production, the Ravens likely will use Corey Graham, Chykie Brown and Chris Johnson, who was signed this week. Graham said he’s “very comfortable” with Baltimore’s defense.
“It’s big for us, but other guys got to step up,” Graham said. “You just have to go up there and make plays and find a way to get it done.”
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