Now it’s official. The Ravens will be without wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.
Sunday against the Browns.
Smith was listed as doubtful to play after suffering microfractures in his back last Thursday in Pittsburgh and did not practice all week, but there was a shred of hope that he might feel good enough to play. The Ravens will give him a week of rest, however.
Smith leads the Ravens with 29 catches, 373 receiving yards, two touchdowns and 47 targets. The Ravens’ starting wide receivers will be Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown. Newly acquired receiver Chris Givens is active, as expected.
Smith is just one of several Baltimore offensive weapons that will be out.
Backup running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) will not suit up after being listed as probable to play. Taliaferro missed one game previously with a knee injury. He is the only Ravens running back with a touchdown this year, although he trails rookie running back Javorius Allen in yards and yards per carry.
With Taliaferro down, expect a heavy workload for starter Justin Forsett, who went off for 150 rushing yards against the Steelers. Allen will also be worked into the mix.
Tight end Crockett Gillmore (calf) and rookie wide receiver Breshad Perriman (knee) were ruled out prior to the game.
The Ravens will get starting left tackle Eugene Monroe back, however, as he will play for the first time since suffering a concussion on the team’s first drive of the season in Denver. James Hurst will return to a backup role. Guard/center Ryan Jensen is inactive.
Veteran defensive end Chris Canty (calf) will miss his third straight game as he was ruled out Friday. Lawrence Guy will get another start.
The Ravens are giving rookie fourth-round cornerback Tray Walker the nod over Rashaan Melvin, who is a healthy scratch this week.
Outside linebacker Jason Babin will play in his second straight game. He only saw seven snaps in Pittsburgh but could get an increased workload against the Browns.
Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden (finger) will play for Cleveland after being listed as questionable.
The Browns' inactives are wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, running back Shaun Draughn, running back Robert Turbin, defensive back Tashaun Gipson, linebacker Craig Robertson and tight end E.J. Bibbs.
