The NFL has officially cleared Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith of any disciplinary action following his controversial hip-drop tackle on Cincinnati Bengals tight end Erick All Jr. during their Week 7 matchup at M&T Bank Stadium. Despite the intensity of the third-quarter hit, which drew immediate scrutiny from fans and analysts alike, the league announced no fines for either team from the contest. This decision stands in contrast to recent trends where similar defensive maneuvers have resulted in significant financial penalties, signaling a nuanced approach by the league’s officiating department regarding legal-but-hard-hitting plays.
Cincinnati’s Erick All Jr. tears ACL in Week 7 clash, leaving Bengals in a tough spot.
The physical toll of the encounter has been severe for Cincinnati, who confirmed on Oct. 28 that All suffered a torn ACL. Head coach Zac Taylor verified the diagnosis of the former Fairfield High School standout, who had been placed on the Reserve/Injured list the previous day. To mitigate the defensive gap, the Bengals signed former tight end Cam Grandy off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. The loss of All is particularly stinging for the offense, as he was a key contributor in the passing game, and his absence forces a significant reshuffle in the receiving corps during a critical stretch of the season.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow expressed deep frustration over the cumulative impact of recent injuries, noting that losing both All and linebacker Tanner Hudson represents a “huge loss” that cannot be easily offset by simple roster additions. “You can’t really replace with just two guys,” Burrow stated, highlighting the depth challenges facing Cincinnati. Meanwhile, the Ravens also weathered a scare when Smith was injured in the fourth quarter after tackling running back Chase Brown, though the linebacker managed to return to the field later in the quarter, ensuring Baltimore’s defensive core remained intact for the remainder of the game.
Source: Yahoo Sports
