Ravens All-Pro LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) is out against the Chargers

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Baltimore Ravens will be without the NFL’s co-top tackler on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Pro Bowl middle linebacker Roquan Smith is inactive due to a hamstring injury. It is the first time Smith has missed a game due to injury since he was with the Chicago Bears at the end of the 2019 season, when he ended the season as a substitute due to a torn pectoral muscle.

Smith left the team on the first play of the fourth quarter in an 18-16 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 17 and did not return. He didn’t practice all week and was listed as questionable for Monday’s game.

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said last week the team would replace Smith by committee, which could mean Malik Harrison starting and rotating with Chris Board.

“Not one person will replace Roquan,” Orr said last week. “Roquan is an every-down linebacker (and) a top linebacker in this league (and) All-Pro for a reason. We like the guys we have in the room. They need to improve, and we need to improve together as a defense, and that linebacker room (needs to) get stronger collectively as a group.”

The 27-year-old Smith is tied for the lead with 110 tackles with Zaire Franklin of the Indianapolis Colts. The Ravens’ defense has struggled this season, ranking 26th in total yards (362.0) and 23rd in points allowed (24.6).

The only time Smith missed a game for Baltimore was the 2023 regular season finale, when the Ravens sat him after securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed.