Baltimore Ravens fans woke up to devastating news this week as All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith has reportedly been diagnosed with a Grade 2 retinal tear, a shocking and rare injury that could sideline him for nearly eight months. Sources close to the team told reporters that the brutal setback happened during an intense practice drill, and now the entire Ravens organization is scrambling for answers.
“It’s another nightmare for us,” one insider whispered. “Baltimore’s defense has been ferocious this season, but it’s also been cursed with injuries that just keep piling up.”
The Ravens’ defense, long hailed as one of the most punishing in the NFL, has already been struck by multiple key injuries this year. Now, losing Smith — the heart and soul of their linebacker corps — feels like the final straw. Coach John Harbaugh has reportedly been “deeply worried” about the team’s playoff hopes and was even seen visibly frustrated at a recent press conference, dodging questions about the Ravens’ long-term defensive stability.
For Smith, the road to recovery won’t be easy. Specialists have said the injury is delicate, requiring strict rest, treatment, and careful monitoring to ensure he doesn’t risk permanent damage. Though the linebacker is known for his grit and toughness, sources say the injury has “shaken him to the core” and left teammates in shock.
Fans took to social media almost instantly, flooding X and Instagram with messages of heartbreak and outrage. Some demanded changes in the Ravens’ training routines, while others blamed the team’s relentless “all-in” defensive style for wearing players down to the breaking point.
The timing couldn’t be worse: the Ravens are heading into a brutal stretch of matchups that could define their season. Without their defensive leader, the looming question is whether Baltimore can survive — or if this injury could derail what once looked like a Super Bowl-caliber campaign.
One thing is certain: the Ravens’ season just got a lot darker, and the entire NFL world is watching.