Roquan

Smith

Neither are CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), ILB Roquan Smith (hamstring), or CB Marlon Humphrey (illness) — and outside of Humphrey missing Wednesday’s practice all four of those players got in full sessions all week. Baltimore’s defense finally looks to mostly be recovered from their early October swoon. Will they actually play better in Week 8? That’s the real question.

The Ravens’ defensive health is improving, though it still lacks a capable pass rush. CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) is practicing in full, as are S Kyle Hamilton (groin) and LB Roquan Smith (hamstring). This unit was one to target for fantasy purposes pre-bye, in Weeks 1-6, and will likely remain fantasy-friendly until it improves its defensive-front personnel. This week’s results against the Bears are worth watching.

Smith has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but was able to log a practice in his return from the Ravens bye week. With several days to go until Sunday’s game against the Bears, Smith is clearly trending in the right direction heading into a pivotal matchup with the Ravens’ season on the line.

The Ravens’ offense has struggled to move the ball downfield with Jackson sidelined. The team initially turned to backup QB Cooper Rush after Jackson was injured in Week 4, but Rush was benched in-game during the Ravens’ 17-3, Week 6 loss to the Rams. From Weeks 4-6, Rush completed 34-of-52 passes for 303 yards and four interceptions, adding four rushes for minus-eight yards. Fellow backup QB Tyler Huntley completed 10-of-15 passes for 68 yards and rushed three times for 39 yards after subbing in. Jackson’s expected return should immediately improve the fantasy-scoring prospects for all Ravens starters. Harbaugh said he expects LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) to return in Week 8 as well.

He didn’t practice at all this week. Neither did fellow ruled-out defender Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) — both players probably have a chance to come back after Baltimore’s Week 7 bye.

Awuzie is now on the wrong side of questionable. CB Marlon Humphrey’s calf injury and S Kyle Hamilton’s groin injury are evidently progressing, though. Hamilton’s full participation puts him firmly on track to play in Week 6 against the Rams. The Ravens have been a fantasy-friendly unit thus far. Improved health would go a long way toward reversing course. LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) also remains sidelined.

Linebacker Roquan Smith and fellow corner Chidobe Awuzie both missed Wednesday’s practice with hamstring injuries. With Lamar Jackson unlikely to play this week, the Ravens may ultimately choose to sit the bulk of their injured players for a likely loss to the Rams on Sunday. They then get their bye week, allowing them to return close to full strength for Week 8 versus the Bears.

The good news on the defensive side of the ball ends there. Ravens S Kyle Hamilton (groin) was downgraded to a non-participant after a limited session on Wednesday. Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (calf) and LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) remained sidelined. The Ravens’ injury-depleted defense will have a difficult time containing the Texans this weekend.

The injuries are piling up on both sides of the ball for Baltimore. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey is expected to be out for multiple weeks with a calf injury. Fellow corner Chidobe Awuzie and linebacker Roquan Smith were also absent from practice because of hamstring injuries. The Texans got on track last week with a 26-0 win over the Titans. They have a shot at riding that momentum to another win versus a Ravens team without multiple starting defenders and likely Lamar Jackson on the other side of the ball.

Will the last Ravens front seven defender available please turn out the lights at the practice facility? Baltimore will be leaning heavily on its depth against the Texans, making the main starters (Woody Marks, Nico Collins) on one of the league’s worst offenses at least defensible plays. Jake Hummel played linebacker in relief of Smith last week and figures to be one of a few options that could step in against Houston in Week 5.