If the Baltimore Ravens plan to salvage their season, they'll need to take down the Browns on Sunday minus the services of Steve Smith.
Battling a back injury, Smith's iffy status leaves quarterback Joe Flacco throwing to the likes of Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown and the newly acquired Chris Givens.
"We're excited about the opportunity for the guys who are playing because Steve is out," said play-caller Marc Trestman, who acknowledged that Smith's injury would shake up the game plan for Sunday, per CSN Baltimore. The Ravens ultimately listed Smith as doubtful.
"When you have Steve as a target, that's part of how you're calling plays certainly," Trestman said. "We've got to find that kind of productivity amongst the group that's playing, whether it's through (running back) Justin (Forsett), or our tight ends, or our receivers, we've got to try to find a level of productivity to allow us to have the kind of passing game that we want to have."
"It's going to be a little bit challenging for us on offense, but it's just the way it is," Flacco said. "We wouldn't want it any other way. These are the guys that are going to go out there and make plays for us, start making a name for themselves and help us win, so I'm excited about it."
The Ravens promoted wide receiver Jeremy Ross to the 53-man roster and waived defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi, the team announced Saturday. Ross will likely return punts and provide depth at the receiver position.Â
With emerging tight end Crockett Gillmore also ruled with a calf injury, Baltimore's course of action appears clear: Prepare the line for a war up front in hopes of springing Forsett for a monster day against the second-worst run defense league-wide.
