Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith said he has a "low expectation" of playing on Sunday, according to The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec.
Steve Smith has ‘low expectation’ of playing Sunday for Ravens, fantasy owners, per report
Wide receiver Steve Smith hasn’t recovered at the pace he would have liked have to this week, as the veteran continues to deal with a back injury. We break down the fantasy implications.
Smith added that his back hasn't opened up like he had hoped over the course of the week, and this proclamation puts a dash into hopes of his return for Week 6. The 36-year-old veteran exited Week 4's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but returned to practice on Wednesday in preparation for the San Francisco 49ers. Despite that, it appears that Smith's status is in serious doubt.
Fantasy impact: If Smith can't go, and there still isn't a guarantee that he can't, Kamar Aiken and Crockett Gillmore will be atop the pecking order in the passing game. Aiken drew nine targets in Week 5 without Smith or Gillmore in the lineup, and the second-year tight end could garner enough looks to put him in the TE1 conversation.
If Smith takes the field, there’s no guarantee that he would be a significant part of the game plan at less than 100 percent. If the Ravens were 4-1 instead of 1-4, they have the luxury of playing it cautious with Smith’s status. However, with their season dangling by a thread, Smith would be more likely to play at less than 100 percent.
In the meantime, fantasy owners will have to wait and make decisions 90 minutes prior to game time when active rosters are announced, or pencil-in a backup option.
