Ravens CB Jimmy Smith undergoes season-ending foot surgery
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith underwent foot surgery and is out for the season, the team announced Thursday.
Smith injured his foot in the Ravens' Week 8 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving the game during Cincinnati's opening touchdown.
The injury was initially labeled a sprain and it was thought Smith would miss just a few weeks, but an examination on Thursday changed the diagnosis, head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement.
“The plan for Jimmy was to do more testing once the swelling subsided in his foot and that was done this morning. With the exam this morning, the doctors decided that he needed surgery and they repaired the injury. Jimmy is finished for the season, but will recover for our offseason program.”
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The loss is a significant one for the Ravens. Smith was the team's No. 1 cornerback and was having an excellent season. Pro Football Focus' statistics show that Smith allowed just 20 receptions for 163 yards and no touchdowns this season, according to the Ravens' official website. He also had 28 tackles, one interception and eight passes defended.
Baltimore was already thin at cornerback. Asa Jackson is currently on injured reserve/designated for return due to a toe injury, and Danny Gorrer and Tamain Jacobs joined the active roster at the position just this week. The pair replaced Chykie Brown and Dominique Franks, who were released due to poor play.
The Ravens are currently No. 12 in the NFL in total defense and No. 24 in pass defense, allowing 263.2 passing yards per game. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 340 yards and six touchdowns in a 43-23 Pittsburgh win.
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Baltimore is 5-4 this season and in last place in the AFC North. The Ravens host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
- Ben Estes
