Last year, the Ravens had perhaps the deepest and best outside linebacker room in the NFL.
Now, it looks as if rookie fourth-round pick Za’Darius Smith will be Baltimore’s top edge pass rusher heading into Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
Pernell McPhee departed for Chicago in free agency, still leaving a pair of Pro Bowl bookends in Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. Suggs’ season was ended by an Achilles injury in Week 1 and Dumervil suffered a groin injury Sunday against Cleveland and hasn’t practiced yet this week.
Veteran outside linebacker Jason Babin, the man fans envisioned stepping in for Suggs, was released earlier this week.