Baltimore Ravens’ CB Jimmy Smith Underwent Groin Surgery

The Baltimore Ravens secondary has taken a beating this season. First they lost cornerback Lardarius Webb in October when he tore his ACL and had season-ending surgery.

Jimmy Smith was supposed to fill in for Webb; he only started two games until he suffered a groin injury. He couldn’t loosen up his groin before Sunday’s game against the Raiders and watched the game from the sidelines.

Smith had surgery today to repair his groin. He is expected to return later this season.

The Ravens will use special teams’ player Corey Graham and Chykie Brown in his place.

Tuesday they signed nine-year veteran cornerback Chris Johnson. Johnson previously played for the Oakland Raiders. In March the Raiders placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list after his sister was shot to death by her estranged boyfriend.

Johnson feels confident in what he brings to the table.

“I have knowledge of the game and speed,” Johnson said. “There are really no guys that can run away from me in this league.”

Defensive coordinator Dean Pees says they hope to get Johnson ready as soon as possible. No word if he will start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

The Ravens are doing their best to work around their banged up secondary.

“You don’t expect all this to happen, but it’s football,” Pees said. “It’s professional football. Some years you go through and you’re unscathed. Some years you go through and it’s not. But you have to make do with what you got.”