Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith will miss the remainder of the season after he suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions. As it turns out, he may have had to sit out the final four games of the regular season regardless.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Smith has been suspended four games for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Since he can serve the suspension while injured, he is dropping his appeal.
Ravens’ CB Jimmy Smith is being suspended four games for violating NFL policy of performance enhancing substances, per source.
Now that Smith is out for the year with a torn Achilles, he will withdraw his appeal and begin serving suspension, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2017
Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun adds that the Ravens were made aware of Smith’s suspension last week, and the 29-year-old probably would have been suspended for the final four games of the season had he lost his appeal.
Even if there was a good chance Smith would miss the last four games, the Ravens have been playing great football lately and are suddenly in a prime position to reach the postseason. Their defense has played at an elite level, so it’s an unfortunate time to lose a starting player.
Smith was at least the second player last week who was informed he had been suspended for PED use. It will be interesting to see if he takes full responsibility like the first did.
