Steve Smith Doesn't Provide Timetable For His Return

Posted Jun 13, 2016

Steve Smith Sr. put on cleats Sunday afternoon for the first time since tearing his Achilles last November.

The Ravens wide receiver laced them up to participate in Lardarius Webb’s charity softball game, and he showed off his progress by doing some light jogging around the field during the game. Smith didn’t have any sort of limp in his walk, but he hesitated to give an exact timetable for when he expects to get back on the field.

“I’m coming along well,” he said. “I’m not sure what’s ‘on track.’ This is my first big injury like this.”

Smith won’t be on the field when the Ravens hold a three-day mandatory minicamp starting Tuesday, but he has six more weeks to recover before the Ravens open training camp.

When asked specifically whether he expects to be ready to play by Week 1, Smith replied, “I’m taking it day to day.”

From the time Smith made the decision to come back from the injury and return for his 16th NFL season, the Ravens have been optimistic that he will be ready for the season opener.

“I fully anticipate by the time we play our first regular season game, that [Smith and Terrell Suggs will] both be ready to go,” General Manager Ozzie Newsome said in February at the combine.

The 37-year-old receiver is about seven months removed from the surgery, and he can take the next two months to ease back into action. He has been the team’s best receiver since coming to Baltimore in 2014, and the Ravens are counting on him to be a playmaker for the offense again this year.

The receiving corps was hit hard with injuries last year, and wide receiver Breshad Perriman has reportedly already suffered a partially torn ACL that could cost him the upcoming season. Getting Smith healthy is one of the top priorities before the Ravens host the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11.