Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is scheduled to have surgery this weekend to have screws removed from the right foot he injured in 2014, according to the Baltimore Sun, and confirmed by CSN. The Ravens hope Smith will be ready for the start of training camp in late July, and the expected timetable for recovery is four to six weeks.
Smith was never 100 percent last season, but played through pain and discomfort, after suffering his Lisfranc injury in November of 2014.
“It’s definitely a difficult injury, kind of more than I expected,” Smith said earlier this month at the start of the Ravens’ offseason training program. “It’s very…you can live with it, you can play with it. Obviously, I played with it last year – not at the level that I expected myself to – but I think I’ll be better this year.”
The Ravens were already in the market for cornerbacks, and that will not change when the draft resumes Friday night. Despite re-signing Shareece Wright and getting Kyle Arrington to restructure his contract, the starting cornerback spot opposite Smith is open, and the Ravens need more depth there, especially with Lardarius Webb moving from corner to safety.
After nine seasons in the NFL, former Ravens running back Justin Forsett announced he is retiring on Wednesday.
Over the course of his nine-year career, Forsett played for seven different teams, with his two most productive seasons coming in 2014-15 with the Ravens. In 2014, Forsett had a career-year and was named to the Pro Bowl after a season in which he amassed 1,266 yards on the ground to go along with eight touchdowns.
The following season, Forsett only started 10 games before suffering a broken arm against the St. Louis Rams that ended his season.
Last season, Forsett appeared in just nine games between the Ravens, Broncos and Lions.
Forsett, who was a seventh-round draft pick in 2008, was a great example of a player who wasn't the biggest or fastest, but still found a way to have a long and productive career in the NFL. Right after the 2017 NFL Draft, he penned a letter of encouragement to the current rookies who signed with teams as undrafted free agents.
More Ravens: Heap family asks for kindness after death of their three-year old daughter Holly
Former NFL tight end Todd Heap and his family went through an unimaginable tragedy. Now, they're looking to spread joy.
Police say Heap was moving a truck in the family's driveway on April 14, when he accidentally hit and killed his 3-year-old daughter Holly.
Now, after the outpouring of condolences and sympathy from friends, the Heap family wants to pay it forward.
The family has started the website "hugsfromholly.com" in memory of Holly, who would have turned 4 on Wednesday.
"Holly was known to give the best hugs, and her love for everyone and everything in life was contagious," a statement on the site reads. "Let's spread this joy as we scatter sunshine in Holly's honor on her birthday."
The former Pro Bowl tight end played 12 seasons in the NFL, for the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals, before retiring in 2013.
"Smile more," the site reads. "Compliment somebody. Write a kind note. Share treats (or chicken nuggets). Do a free lemonade stand. Leave a bigger tip than usual. Pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru. Donate a book in Holly's honor. Turn up the music and dance ... the list is endless. Be creative!"
The family has also created the hashtag #hugsfromhollyday, and they ask participants to share their acts of kindness and post them on social media.
Hugsfromholly.com also includes an option to make a donation in their daughter's honor to the Baltimore Community Foundation, a group of charities that benefit the Baltimore area.
"Share this! Shout it from the rooftops!" the site continues. "Let's spread kindness and love and make Wednesday a HOLLYday!"
