Roquan Smith Inactive against Chargers

All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) is inactive for Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers and will miss his first game as a Raven due to injury.

Smith did not practice all week after leaving the field in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11. During the initial pregame warmups, Smith did some stretches and ran while wearing a bandage around his right thigh.

His absence against the Chargers will force the Ravens to make significant adjustments. Trenton Simpson and Malik Harrison will likely start at inside linebacker against a Chargers offense led by talented quarterback Justin Herbert and their rushing attack featuring former Ravens JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards.

All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton takes over wearing Smith’s “Green Dot” communications helmet and relays defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s play calls to his teammates. Chris Board and Kristian Welch, who were signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Saturday, will also be available in the inside linebacker rotation. Orr said it would be a committee approach, following in Smith’s footsteps.

Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum (back) and defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle) are active after being listed as questionable.

Linderbaum hasn’t missed a start this season and has been extremely durable since his rookie year in 2022, having missed just two games in his career. He appeared on the injury report Friday but will be in the lineup against the Chargers’ strong defensive front, which has given up the fewest points in the NFL (14.5 points per game).

Jones returned to practice on a limited basis Saturday and has been battling a lingering ankle injury for several weeks. He played 93 defensive snaps over the last two games after playing just one snap on special teams against the Denver Broncos in Week 9. Nose tackle Josh Tupou was called up from the practice squad for the game.

Rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker is active after not playing against the Steelers. Walker has only played four offensive snaps but has seen 71 snaps on special teams.

In addition to Smith, the Ravens’ inactives are as follows:

Kane (ankle) and Maulet (calf) were ruled out on Saturday. Ojabo is a healthy scratch for the fourth time in five weeks.

Pro Bowl edge rusher Khalil Mack (groin) and wide receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder) are active for the Chargers.

Mack missed the last two games and was limited in practice all week, but has 4.5 sacks this season and his return could bolster the Chargers’ pass rush. McConkey leads the Chargers with 615 receiving yards, third among all rookies.

Former Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst (seven catches, 65 yards) was placed on injured reserve before Monday’s game.

Chargers starting linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) is out and will miss his first game of the season. Perryman has the third-most tackles (54) on the team.

Also inactive for the Chargers are wide receiver DJ Chark, cornerback Cam Hart (concussion/ankle), running back Kimani Vidal and offensive linemen Brenden Jaimes and Jordan McFadden.