We're thankful to get another season with Ravens wideout Steve Smith, we just don't know when he'll make an official return to the field after tearing his Achilles tendon last season.
Neither does Smith, who, according to ESPN.com, managed to avoid a foul ball flying in his direction Sunday at a charity softball game but hasn't progressed much beyond jogging.
"I don't know when I'm coming back," he said. "I just know I have to be able to do something in training camp to be able to play for the season. That's just the way I operate. I can't go from doing absolutely nothing (and) sitting on my butt for all of training camp and then go out there and play."
The Ravens were hoping that they would not need to count on Smith as much this season but with the increasing likelihood that Breshad Perriman will miss his second straight year due to a partially torn ACL, Smith will be counted on to yank Baltimore's offense out of the doldrums.
With Smith at the age of 37, it's not the safest proposition for John Harbaugh and the Ravens, but what else can they do? Outside of Kamar Aiken's 75 catches last season, no Ravens receiver aside from Smith caught more than 35 balls. Perhaps the continued progress made by tight ends Maxx Williams and Crockett Gillmore will help make a difference. Maybe Dennis Pitta can give Baltimore something.Joe Flacco plays well in multiple tight-end sets and the team could end up with one of the better tight end depth charts in football in 2016.
In the meantime, the Ravens had better keep Smith away from any more softballs flying in his direction.
"I'm just taking it one day at a time, allowing my injury to heal and strengthen myself," Smith said. "I'm trying to be methodical and patient, which I'm not any of those. So it's been good. It gives me a different perspective."
