Steve Smith

Steve Smith Sr. (back) 'will play sooner than later' for Ravens

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports Baltimore Ravens' wide receiver Steve Smith's injury is non-surgical and he "will play sooner than later."

What It Means:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reported Smith's "back" injury is actually a misdiagnosed broken ribs situation. Regardless of how you name it, the Ravens are calling it a week-to-week injury, and there is a chance Smith plays in Week 5.

Smith currently ranks 25th in per-play Reception Net Expected Points among receivers with 15 targets or more. He's not the lights-out star he was in 2014, but considering his advanced age and that he has no other receivers around him to take pressure off, this is impressive. The Ravens will miss him in his absence.