Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith said this week that he believed Ed Reed would fill the leadership void left by linebacker Ray Lewis.
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Reed now appears to have serious injury issues of his own.
Reed said Wednesday during a radio interview with WJZ-FM in Baltimore that he has a torn labrum in his shoulder. The eight-time Pro Bowl safety said it's "maybe" affecting his play.
Reed didn't say which shoulder he injured or when he did it, according to The Baltimore Sun.
Reed hasn't been on the Ravens' injury report in recent weeks, so it's doubtful the shoulder injury will sideline him. That said, the Ravens need Reed to be playing at an optimal level right now. Lewis and cornerback Ladarius Webb both are out ofthe picture. Linebacker Terrell Suggs practiced for the first time Wednesday, but he might not see live game action for another month.
The Ravens need Reed to be a leader, both in what he says and what he does. A significant shoulder injury could make one part of that task more difficult.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
