One of the notable matchups of Sunday’s AFC North showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is one of the league’s deepest wide receivers corps against one of its best cornerbacks groups.
But could that group of Baltimore cornerbacks be without arguably its best member?
Veteran Jimmy Smith did not practice Thursday because of an Achilles injury. Smith, a 10-year veteran, was limited in practice Wednesday.
Together with Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey, Smith is the most tenured of a highly regarded group. Pro Football Focus calculates Smith leads the NFL in coverage snaps per reception allowed (21.9), coverage snaps per target (13.1) and opponent receiving yards per coverage snap (0.35).
Humphrey practiced Thursday, a day after he missed because of illness.
Undrafted rookie Khalil Dorsey is the only other cornerback on the Ravens 53-man roster. He has played only four career snaps on defense, but the Ravens also have veteran Nate Hairston on their practice squad.
Ravens injury report for Thursday
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 29, 2020
DID NOT PRACTICE
RB Mark Ingram (ankle)
CB Jimmy Smith (Achilles)
NT Brandon Williams (NIR)
LIMITED
DB Anthony Levine (abdomen)
FULL
CB Marlon Humphrey (illness)
G Tyre Phillips (hand)
DE Derek Wolfe (concussion/neck)
One of the strengths of the Steelers offense is their depth at wide receiver in JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Diontae Johnson and rookie Chase Claypool. Each has led the Steelers in catches and receiving yards (or tied for doing so) for at least one game so far this season.
It also is appearing increasingly likely the Ravens could be without veteran running back Mark Ingram for Sunday’s AFC North showdown. Ingram has not practiced this week because of an ankle injury.
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