Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith (0) reacts to a stop on third down in the first quarter of the NFL game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.

Ravens star MLB Roquan Smith (hamstring) out vs. Chargers

Baltimore Ravens star middle linebacker Roquan Smith is inactive for Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a hamstring injury.

Smith was injured in last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and missed practice all week. He was listed as questionable on Saturday’s injury report.

Smith did some running and stretching work in pregame warmups on Monday before the club released its inactives list with his name on it.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Smith entered the week as the co-leader in tackles in the NFL with 110.

Baltimore also listed running back Rasheen Ali, center Nick Samac, outside linebacker David Ojabo, cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf) and safety Sanoussi Kane (ankle) as inactive. Maulet and Kane were ruled out in Saturday.

Center Tyler Linderbaum (back) and defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle) are both active after being listed as questionable on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) runs after a  catch as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) defends during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Ravens star MLB Roquan Smith (hamstring) hurt vs. Steelers

Baltimore Ravens star middle linebacker Roquan Smith exited Sunday’s 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a hamstring injury.

Smith left the field in the first minute of the fourth quarter and was soon ruled out of the contest.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he didn’t have an update on Smith’s injury during his postgame press conference.

Smith was dominating the game with 13 tackles — including two for losses — before the injury. It was his sixth double-digit tackle outing of the season.

Smith has 110 tackles in 11 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has topped 100 stops in all seven of his NFL seasons.

The 27-year-old Smith played his first 4 1/2 seasons with the Chicago Bears before being traded to the Ravens at the 2022 trade deadline.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is carted off the field against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Report: NFL rescinds fine of Ravens’ Roquan Smith for hip-drop tackle

The NFL rescinded the fine imposed on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith for the hit he delivered that left Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin with an apparent season-ending ankle injury, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Godwin suffered a dislocated left ankle in the Ravens’ 41-31 victory over the Bucs on Oct. 21. Per reports, the NFL ruled Smith brought down the receiver with an illegal hip-drop tackle.

Smith, 27, was not penalized for the hit during the game but was later fined $16,833 for unnecessary roughness, which the two-time All-Pro appealed.

Godwin, who is set to become a free agent in 2025, had seven receptions for 65 yards in the Week 7 game prior to the injury that occurred with less than a minute to play.

At the time, Godwin had an NFL-leading 50 catches for 576 yards — third most in the league at the time — and five touchdowns in seven games.

The Bucs placed Godwin on injured reserve on Oct. 23, and he underwent surgery on the dislocated ankle the next day. Recovery is expected to take 10-12 weeks, meaning he will miss the entire regular season, though it is possible he could return for the playoffs.

–Field Level Media

Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Reports: Ravens’ Roquan Smith fined for tackle on Bucs’ Chris Godwin

The NFL is fining Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith $16,833 for the hit he delivered that left Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin with a season-ending ankle injury, multiple outlets reported Friday.

Godwin suffered a dislocated left ankle in the Ravens’ 41-31 victory over the Bucs on Monday night. Per reports, the NFL ruled Smith brought down the receiver with an illegal hip-drop tackle.

CBS Sports reported that Smith’s action was at least the ninth hip-drop tackle this season, though entering Week 8, none had been penalized.

Godwin, who is set to become a free agent in 2025, had seven receptions for 65 yards Monday prior to the injury that occurred with less than a minute to play.

He has an NFL-leading 50 catches for 576 yards — third most in the league — and five touchdowns in seven games.

The Bucs placed him on injured reserve earlier this week.

Godwin, 28, posted a message on Instagram earlier Friday, thanking fans and telling them that he will put in the hard work to return.

“It’s tough to put into words the range of emotions over the last few days. I’m disappointed that I can’t be out there with my brothers going to battle. I’m saddened that my wife and family had to endure watching another gruesome injury. And I’m frustrated that a strong start to the season was cut short,” he wrote.

“We don’t always get to know ‘why’, but that rarely matters anyway,” he continued. “Adversity reveals our true character and I look forward to the opportunity to display mine throughout this process. Just another storm, but trust that sunshine is on the other side. Be back soon! Back to Work!”

–Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith has been worth every pick and penny the front office invested to acquire him from the Chicago Bears. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

LB Roquan Smith restored Ravens’ rough and ready mindset

When paying Roquan Smith on a tier with the richest defenders in the league fell outside the realm of responsible accounting for the rebuilding Chicago Bears, one general manager sprinted to the phone armed with the Baltimore Ravens’ checkbook.

Eric DeCosta sent second- and fifth-round picks, along with linebacker A.J. Klein, to the Bears in the Halloween 2022 trade that has since helped define the rebirth of the Ravens’ defense.

“He brought the Ray Lewis juice back for our generation,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said of Smith, the QB of Baltimore’s defense. “The grit, the everything, the leadership, his poise. His aggression. We needed that from our linebacker. Ro, he’s unbelievable. I’m glad we got him. Eric did a great job.”

The No. 8 pick in the 2018 draft, Smith’s stardom wasn’t exactly a secret. A standout at Georgia who regularly played on the national stage, he was the leading tackler in the NFL when the Ravens traded for him. Representing himself in negotiations, Bears general manager Ryan Poles talked Smith out of a holdout in August 2022 but never met the then 25-year-old’s demands for a $100 million deal.

DeCosta did just that.

Smith, who said negotiations with DeCosta were anything but easy, signed a five-year, $100 million deal with $45 million guaranteed to become the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the league just over 12 months ago.

Head coach John Harbaugh didn’t fret whether that deal would lead to a divorce with Jackson, who is the frontrunner for NFL Most Valuable Player after self-represented contract talks with DeCosta resolved a season-long standoff over his own pay. Smith’s leadership, and work ethic, guided what defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald considered an easy decision to hitch the defense to the middle linebacker long-term.

“It’s a secret sauce,” Macdonald said. “There’s a magnetism to it, guys gravitate towards him naturally. He has great energy. … The way he plays, in terms of just getting to the football. If you aren’t playing with him, it pops out on tape, and guys realize that.”

The Ravens were No. 1 in the NFL in scoring defense (16.5 points per game), opposing passer rating, rushing touchdowns allowed and sacks in the regular season.

Cash in hand, Smith continues to star on the field and in the locker room. He was just named All-Pro for the second time and last week racked up seven tackles, with two stops behind the line of scrimmage, in the divisional playoff win over the Houston Texans.

To head coach John Harbaugh, Smith’s success is a billboard for Baltimore and beyond revealing all the work he put in to get to this point.

“He wants to do the things that are required to be a great player and to be a great unit and then to impact your team,” said Harbaugh. “That’s what he’s all about – 100 percent – that’s what I love about him. He’s one of the top guys I’ve ever seen that way, and I think that does always impact everybody as a leader, for sure.”

Smith gets another chance to lead Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs with a Super Bowl trip hanging in the balance. With headlines naturally spotlighting 2023 MVP Patrick Mahomes and Jackson, Smith plans to nudge his way back into the narrative.

“We all know he’s an elite quarterback,” Smith said of the matchup with Mahomes. “He does everything well. I think personally just his ability to read coverages, extend plays. … He’s a great quarterback, we all know that, but so are we on defense.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;  Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (18) drops back in passed coverage during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens LB Roquan Smith wins Butkus Award

Baltimore Ravens star Roquan Smith received the Butkus Award as the NFL’s best linebacker in 2022.

He became the fourth player to win the award in college and the pros, joining Patrick Willis, Von Miller and Luke Kuechly.

Smith was named the nation’s top collegiate linebacker at Georgia in 2017.

Butkus’ son, Matt, presented the trophy to Smith at the Ravens’ facilities on Wednesday.

“I’m very grateful to receive this,” Smith said. “Receiving it in college meant a lot to me, being recognized as the best. I have a great deal of respect for your dad and the way he played the game. I try to [mirror] some of that in my play. This means a lot to me and I can’t wait to put it up in my man cave.”

Smith, 25, was acquired by the Ravens in an Oct. 31 trade with the Chicago Bears. He recorded 86 tackles, two sacks and one interception in nine games with the Ravens.

Earlier this month, he reached agreement on a five-year, $100 million extension with Baltimore. The Ravens’ season ended Sunday with a wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Including eight games with the Bears, Smith finished the 2022 season with a career-high 169 tackles, 4.5 sacks and three interceptions.

Smith has 18.5 sacks, 54 tackles for loss and eight interceptions in 78 games (76 starts) since Chicago drafted him eighth overall in 2018.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;  Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (18) drops back in passed coverage during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Ravens, LB Roquan Smith reach $100M deal

The Baltimore Ravens have agreed in principle with inside linebacker Roquan Smith on a five-year, $100 million contract extension, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The deal includes $45 million fully guaranteed and would make Smith the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in NFL history at $20 million per campaign, per the report.

Smith, who was acquired in an Oct. 31 trade with Chicago, represented himself with the Ravens after failing to reach a long-term deal with the Bears.

Smith, 25, recorded 86 tackles, two sacks and one interception in nine games with the Ravens (10-7), who visit the Cincinnati Bengals for an AFC wild-card game on Sunday.

Smith registered a season-high 16 tackles against the Bengals in the regular season finale.

Pass rusher salaries at outside linebacker are generally higher than traditional inside linebackers. Dating to 2016 with the Denver Broncos, outside linebacker Von Miller established a record for the “linebacker” position with a six-year, $114.5 million deal in 2016.

Smith’s impact appears evident since he was acquired from the Bears.

Before Smith arrived, the Baltimore defense ranked 20th in points per game allowed and 24th in yards allowed. They rank second in both categories since, according to the team.

Coach John Harbaugh praised Smith’s leadership at his press conference on Monday.

“He has been fantastic that way. He’s all about it. He doesn’t worry about what people think; he doesn’t care,” Harbaugh said.

“He wants to do the things that are required to be a great player and to be a great unit and then to impact your team. That’s what he’s all about – 100 percent – [and] that’s what I love about him. He’s one of the top guys I’ve ever seen that way, and I think that does always impact everybody as a leader, for sure. I want all of our guys to lead that way.”

Including eight games with the Bears, Smith finished the 2022 season with a career-high 169 tackles, 4.5 sacks and three interceptions.

Smith has 18.5 sacks, 54 tackles for loss and eight interceptions in 78 games (76 starts) since Chicago drafted him eighth overall in 2018 out of Georgia.

A long-term extension with Smith frees up the Ravens to potentially use their franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson this offseason.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) runs with the ball after an interception in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

It’s official: Ravens trade for LB Roquan Smith

The Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday announced their trade for linebacker Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears in exchange for linebacker A.J. Klein and draft picks.

While the Ravens did not disclose the picks, the Bears also announced the deal and are getting second- and fifth-round draft picks in 2023.

The Bears also posted a thank you to Smith on Twitter.

Smith, 25, is a two-time second-team All-Pro with the Bears and was drafted eighth overall out of Georgia in 2018. He represents an upgrade in the middle of the 3-4 defense in Baltimore, which now stacks three first-rounders at the position in Patrick Queen (2020, 28th overall), Odafe Oweh (2021, 31st) along with proven veterans Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul at the fourth LB spot.

Klein, 31, appeared in just two games (one start) this season for the Ravens. He had five tackles, including one for loss. He has 15.5 career sacks and 454 tackles in 136 games (81 starts) for four teams, including the Carolina Panthers (2013-16), who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2013 draft.

The Ravens are atop the AFC North at 5-3, but defensive standards are not being met.

They are 32nd in defensive yards per play — 5.98-yard average — and passing yards per game (278.9) but first in the NFL against the run (84.5 yards per game).

The league-leader in tackles at 83, according the NFL’s official statistics, Smith is in the final year of his rookie contract. Negotiations between Poles and Smith’s representatives became contentious before training camp, when he demanded a trade.

Smith was fifth in the NFL in total tackles last season (career-high 163). He has 608 total tackles and 14.5 sacks in 69 career games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) tackles Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devin Duvernay (13) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Bears trade LB Roquan Smith to Ravens

NFL leading tackler Roquan Smith is relocating from the Chicago Bears to the heart of the Baltimore Ravens’ defense, according to multiple reports.

ESPN reported the Bears agreed to trade Smith to the Ravens for second- and fifth-round draft picks in 2023, following the rebuild pattern of shedding salary since general manager Ryan Poles took over the team in January.

Smith, 25, is a two-time second-team All-Pro with the Bears and was drafted eighth overall out of Georgia in 2018. He represents an upgrade in the middle of the 3-4 defense in Baltimore, which now stacks three first-rounders at the position in Patrick Queen (2020, 28th overall), Odafe Oweh (2021, 31st) along with proven veterans Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul at the fourth LB spot.

The Ravens are atop the AFC North at 5-3, but defensive standards are not being met.

They are 32nd in defensive yards per play — 5.98-yard average — and passing yards per game (278.9) but first in the NFL against the run (84.5 yards per game).

While the Bears are set with a potential $140 million to $150 million under the salary cap for 2023 free agency, they now start over without the centerpiece of their defense in Smith. Poles traded defensive end Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles last week.

The league-leader in tackles at 83, according the NFL’s official statistics, Smith is in the final year of his rookie contract. Negotiations between Poles and Smith’s representatives became contentious before training camp, when he demanded a trade.

The trade of Quinn hit Smith hard when he learned of his departure during a press session last Wednesday.

Smith, who was fifth in the NFL in total tackles last season (career-high 163). He has 608 total tackles and 14.5 sacks in 69 career games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) tackles Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bears LB Roquan Smith no longer requesting trade

After requesting a trade earlier this month, Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith now will play out the final season of his contract with the team, NFL Network reported Saturday.

The Bears took Smith off the physically unable to perform list last week. The move allowed them to fine Smith $40,000 per day for skipping practice.

Smith, 25, went public with his request to be traded, saying the Bears are “trying to take advantage of me” and “left me no choice” but to seek a trade.

It was never clear what Smith’s injury was in the first place that led to his spot on the PUP list.

Smith is set to earn $9.7 million this season on the final year of his rookie contract. He was placed on the PUP list when he reported to training camp last month.

Bears first-year general manager Ryan Poles addressed the situation last week.

“Right now, my intentions are to sign Roquan to this team,” Poles said. “… My intentions are to make sure Roquan Smith is on this team.”

Smith had at least 100 tackles in each of his first four NFL seasons since being drafted with the eighth overall pick in 2018. He logged a career-high 163 tackles with three sacks and one interception in 17 starts in 2021.

–Field Level Media