The 7-4 Baltimore Ravens face off against the 7-3 Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium for Monday Night Football. For Monday’s contest, the Ravens aim to jump from 6th to 5th place in the AFC Playoff Picture with a victory and one step closer to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North division. Although this game will be difficult, they are 2.5-point favorites on the road.
Unfortunately, the defense might be shorthanded against the Chargers offense potentially without their elite Pro Bowler/All-Pro.
The Baltimore Ravens PB/AP LB is nursing an injury
Roquan Smith, arguably one of the best linebackers in the entire NFL, suffered a hamstring injury on the first play of the fourth quarter in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens quickly ruled their All-Pro out, and Smith did not return for the remainder of the game. Following their loss to the Steelers, John Harbaugh did not offer an update on his hamstring injury.
“No updates right now,”Harbaugh said. “We’re just monitoring it as we go and he’ll be working to get ready for the game.”
His availability for MNF is not looking good
Roquan Smith did not participate in Thursday, Friday, and Saturday’s practice. The Baltimore Ravens released the week’s final injury report and listed Smith as questionable. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, he is not expected to play. He could miss his first game as a member of the Ravens because of injury.
Ravens’ All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, who is questionable for tonight’s game due to a hamstring injury, is unlikely to play vs. the Chargers, per sources. Smith has not missed a game as a Raven because of injury. pic.twitter.com/sz2kT28F8i
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 25, 2024
Who replaces him in the starting lineup?
The expectation is for Malik Harrison to replace Roquan Smith in the starting lineup if he doesn’t play, and we could also see Chris Board tonight on defense. Harrison filled in at LB for the remainder of last week’s contest and recorded six tackles. He has 24 tackles, one TFL, and one sack in nine games, one start, and 20% of defensive snaps on the season.