za darius smith
- Smith was considered the Ravens’ second-best pending free agent, after inside linebacker C.J. Mosley, who also is exiting Baltimore.
- After leading the Ravens pass rush in a record-breaking win over the Tennessee Titans, outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time Wednesday.
- Bowser has five tackles and no sacks in five games, and has struggled on special teams.
- The Ravens defense turned up the pressure during Tuesday’s practice against the Los Angeles Rams, and outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith accounted for half of the defense’s eight would-be sacks.
- Terrell Suggs and Matthew Judon are entrenched as the starters and the Ravens have Za'Darius Smith as well. But they need pass rushers Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams to emerge.
- The Ravens figure to depend more on rookie outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams behind starters Terrell Suggs and Matthew Judon.
- Za'Darius Smith's absence for Sunday's Ravens game against the Pittsburgh Steelers likely means more playing time for rookies Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser.