Ravens: Jimmy Smith carted off with leg injury during practice

The Baltimore Ravens returned to the practice field on Friday after a day off. Unfortunately, an injury to cornerback Jimmy Smith put a damper on the day.

Smith was reportedly carted off the field with a potentially serious leg injury with about 30 minutes to go in practice.

The veteran cornerback was in tight coverage on tight end Mark Andrews on the play and the two tangled up as the pass fell incomplete. Smith had to be taken away on a cart with his right leg flat.

Head coach John Harbaugh spoke to reporters following practice and insisted that it was too early to determine the severity of the injury.

Jimmy Smith’s injury would be a huge blow to the Ravens’ secondary.

Smith has dealt with his fair share of injuries throughout his career and hasn’t played more than 12 games in a season since 2015. A shoulder injury forced him to miss a few games in 2020 — one of a number of injuries he’s sustained in recent years.

The 10-year NFL veteran was expected to once again play an important role in the Ravens secondary in 2021, although not necessarily as a starter.

While he only played 12 games and made five starts, Smith did still play 43 percent of defensive snaps and has never played fewer than 40 percent of snaps in his career.

Smith is expected to fill an important depth role behind Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters. But now, it’s unclear when he might be able to return. Fortunately, the Ravens have the depth to manage even a serious injury to Smith.

Humphrey and Peters are arguably the best cornerback duo in the NFL. Tavon Young is returning after missing the last two seasons and should re-assume his role as the starting nickel cornerback.

Baltimore is very high on Anthony Averett and the former Alabama standout has starting experience. There’s also players like fifth-round rookie Shaun Wade and training camp standouts Khalil Dorsey and Chris Westry.

The Ravens have excellent cornerback depth, but a serious injury to Smith would still be a sizable blow to a very talented secondary.

Here’s to hoping the injury to Jimmy Smith isn’t as serious as it seems.