Steve Smith Injury: Updates on Ravens Star's Achilles and Return

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon suffered against the San Diego Chargers in Week 8.

Smith underwent surgery on Nov. 9 as talk of delaying his retirement continues to surround the veteran wideout.

Continue for updates.

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Harbaugh Comments on Smith's Recovery

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters he spoke with Smith after his surgery, adding the wideout is "in good spirits" and "fired up" to start the rehab process.

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Smith Placed on IR, Ravens Sign Replacement

Wednesday, Nov. 4

The Ravens announced they placed Smith on season-ending injured reserve and signed 27-year-old wide receiver Joe Morgan.

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Conflicting Reports Surround Smith's NFL Future After Injury

Monday, Nov. 2

The MMQB's Peter King reported that Smith "is not finished."

"I mean, I’m hearing he’s really not finished. He had announced his retirement effective at the end of this season, but was already talking about surgery and rehab for the Achilles he shredded against San Diego on Sunday," King wrote. "He could give the Ravens one more season in 2016."

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com confirmed that report, adding that Smith was "leaning strongly" toward continuing his career. La Canfora also noted it "would be a big surprise to those who know him best if he did not return to the game."

However, Eric Edholm of Shutdown Corner cited a "source close to" Smith who said the wideout has not "made any definitive decisions" about returning in 2016.

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported on Sunday that Smith planned to retire after tearing his Achilles:

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Harbaugh Comments on Smith's NFL Future

Sunday, Nov. 1

"I have a feeling [Smith] will be back," Harbaugh told reporters. "I love him, respect him, admire him. I told him that. That's the kind of man he is and he'll be back."

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Smith Comments After Achilles Injury 

Sunday, Nov. 1

"What hurts the most is that I can't be out there with my guys," Smith said, courtesy of Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com. "We had a great team win today, and that's really all that counts."

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Smith's Injury a Major Blow to Ravens Offense

This is the second time the 36-year-old has run into injury trouble this season. He suffered a back injury in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and missed one game before returning to the starting lineup. 

A tenacious player who makes up for his 5'9", 195-pound stature with heart and ferocity, Smith has developed into a leader for the struggling Ravens. He is also a favorite target of quarterback Joe Flacco and had been targeted a team-high 66 times heading into Week 8. 

In September, Flacco spoke with ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley about Smith and his role in the offense:

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The issue is when we have Steve, you can't not find ways to get him the ball. There has to be a handful of plays in your game plan where you're going to get him the ball. A lot of the plays in our game plan, you say, "OK, let's make them for Steve because he's really good."

"

Now the Ravens are once again facing time without him, which puts pressure on a group of wide receivers that has not done much this season. Baltimore will look to No. 2 receiver Kamar Aiken to become the team's top pass-catching threat. The fifth-year wideout entered the game against the Chargers with 271 yards and two touchdowns on 19 receptions this season.

The Ravens sit at 2-6 after Sunday's victory, and with Smith out, it will be an uphill climb for the rest of the season. 

While this is a difficult blow for Baltimore’s fading playoff chances, it could also mark the end of Smith’s impressive career.

The wide receiver said he would retire following the 2015 season before Week 1, which means the last time NFL fans saw Smith on the field would be this injury, assuming he sticks to his word. Considering Baltimore’s top pass-catcher posted 670 receiving yards and three scores on the season, it is natural to wonder whether he will reconsider his decision to retire following the injury.

Lack of production is not a concern, even at the age of 36. 

If Smith does retire, he will go down as one of the best receivers in the history of the league. As Bleacher Report noted, he passed Hall of Famer Cris Carter for 10th on the all-time NFL receiving yards list Sunday:

While nobody wants to go out with an injury, Smith’s on-field legacy as an elite playmaker is secure.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.