The Ravens looked better defensively last week, but now Roquan Smith’s injury is a concern

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Fresh off one of its best showings of the season, the Baltimore defense now has another problem to worry about.

Roquan Smith missed practice again Friday because of a hamstring injury. Although the Ravens didn’t officially rule him or anyone else out — they don’t play until Monday night — the All-Pro linebacker’s status seems dicey.

“Definitely it will be a challenge if Roquan can’t go,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “We’re holding out hope and everything like that. I think it’ll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan’s an every-down linebacker.”

Although the Ravens lost 18-16 last weekend, Baltimore didn’t allow a touchdown. That was an encouraging sign for a team that ranks 26th in the league in total defense.

Baltimore is on the road Monday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Ravens appear to have dodged one potential nightmare. Star safety Kyle Hamilton injured an ankle against Cincinnati on Nov. 7, but he was able to play almost every defensive snap the following week against Pittsburgh.

But Smith was injured in that game and didn’t practice Thursday or Friday. Linebacker Malik Harrison had a season high in tackles last weekend and figures to have a significant role if Smith can’t go.

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“We tell these guys, ‘You’re one play away to going in there — you never know, so you got to stay ready.’ Malik — he was ready,” Orr said. “I thought he went in there and did a good job, especially after the first series, he settled down. That’s what we expect from him.”

It’s hard to tell whether last week can be a significant turning point for Baltimore’s defense. The Ravens allowed only 10 points in a dominant win over Buffalo in Week 4, then yielded 38 against Cincinnati the following game. After allowing 10 against Denver, the Ravens were picked apart by the Bengals again a few days later.

So they still haven’t shown they can play a good game defensively and then build on it.

“I think it’s easier said than done. It’s something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing,” Hamilton said. “We’re aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better, and I think that’s kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now.”

Hamilton’s ability to make a difference all over the field is part of what makes him valuable, but positioning him deep is one way the Ravens can try to guard against big passing plays. Pittsburgh’s Russell Wilson threw for only 205 yards against Baltimore. That’s after Joe Burrow passed for 428 and four touchdowns in the Ravens’ previous game.

“I’ve always seen myself as a safety. A versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety,” Hamilton said. “If I’m asked to go play safety, I feel like that’s not an issue for me to play safety if I’m a safety.”

NOTES: In addition to Smith, WR Rashod Bateman (knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), S Sanoussi Kane (ankle) C Tyler Linderbaum (back) and CB Arthur Maulet (calf) missed practice Friday. WR Nelson Agholor (illness) returned to full participation after missing Thursday’s practice.

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