Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith has announced that he will not be retiring after the season and will return for the 2016 NFL season. Smith's 2015 year was cut short with an Achilles injury and the move was an expected one for the wideout, who took to Twitter to officially confirm that he will be back next year.
According to ESPN, Smith announced earlier in the year that he was planning to retire after the 2015 season, but after an injury cut things short, many speculated that Smith would rethink the decision. Smith was having a very productive season for the Ravens before the injury and during that time many in the media asked Smith about playing again next year since he was still performing at a high level. Smith is 36 and now will return as the oldest wide receiver in the NFL.
Smith suffered an Achilles injury on November 1 and was lost for the season after putting up 46 catches for 670 yards in seven games. The Ravens have been hit hard with injuries this season, with players like Terrell Suggs and Joe Flacco going down with season-ending injuries as well. Flacco suffered an ACL injury last month and had surgery and he could potentially miss some of training camp as he recovers.
According to the Baltimore Sun, Flacco suffered injuries to his ACL and MCL in his left knee and he underwent surgery earlier in December. Flacco will have a long rehab, but the timetable should have the quarterback ready for Week 1 of the season. Flacco will be out for the offseason program for the Ravens and likely will miss at least part of training camp. Flacco had 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 games this season.
The Ravens have been hit hard at receiver this season with Smith and rooke Breshad Perriman dealing with injuries and now another player has gone down. According to Pro Football Talk, the Ravens have placed Marlon Brown on injured reserve, ending his season. Brown has been out for five games with a back injury and has played in 10 games this season.
