Several injuries ravaged the Baltimore Ravens in their Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans. Many of them were to key contributors, including Durham Smythe. On Tuesday, it was revealed Smythe suffered a season-ending torn Achilles.
Smythe isn’t a flashy weapon. He’s totaled just 137 receptions, 1,257 yards, and 3 touchdowns in his nine-year career. In 2026, he had 1 reception for 4 yards in four games before the injury. That’s not his specialty, though — the Ravens lost a crucial blocker.
In fact, they lost their best blocking tight end. For a team that thrives on running the football, that’s a tough player to replace.
Baltimore Ravens need to find someone to fill Durham Smythe void
The Ravens signed Durham Smythe this offseason because he knew Declan Doyle’s offense. He played under Doyle with the Chicago Bears in 2025 and has long been a reliable blocker. And with their arrivals, Smythe replaced the fullback position that used to be a staple in Baltimore.
The veteran tight end was a critical weapon in the run game this year. For an offensive line that has struggled to win up front with consistency, Smythe provided an extra blocker for Derrick Henry and company to hit the gaps and find productive gains.
That’s what makes losing Smythe quietly a big loss. Who’s going to replace him?
Realistically, this news should open up more opportunities for Josh Cuevas. While his rookie tight end counterpart Matt Hibner has been flashing as a receiver, Cuevas is the guy Baltimore can turn to for blocking assignments.
Coming out of college, Cuevas was praised for his versatility. Notably, his ability as an inline blocker was one of his top strengths, and some draft experts even projected him as a fullback.
With Smythe out, giving Cuevas more snaps would be a seamless transition. He has enough experience with Doyle, and could look eerily similar to the role Charlie Kolar thrived in for years in Charm City before leaving in free agency this past offseason.
But the options don’t stop there.
The obvious choice to fill Smythe’s void would be Nick Vannett. He’s currently on Baltimore’s practice squad, and like Smythe, Vannett has been valued for his blocking over the course of his 11-year NFL career.
Jesse Minter also spoke about the possibility of giving Vannett an opportunity in his press conference on Monday.
“There’s a reason we have [Vannett],” Minter said. “There are pinpointed spots where you need a guy that can be ready to play at the drop of a hat. I feel confident in all those guys, Nick being one of them, whose opportunity could show up.”
There might be a realm where Lucas Scott returns, too. Scott is currently a free agent after being waived after the preseason and not making the practice squad. However, he’s a fullback who could be the perfect guy to come in and pave the way for Henry and the Ravens’ rushing attack.
Ultimately, it’s not an easy task to step in and do what Durham Smythe does. It’s an important hole to fill, and Baltimore will need someone to step up in his absence.
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