Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. stated before the season that he would retire after 2015, but reports have now surfaced that the veteran star receiver plans to return in 2016 as long as he is healthy enough to do so, according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport.
Smith tore his Achilles against the San Diego Chargers in week eight, and sources in contact with the star receiver have indicated to Rapoport that Smith plans to return for the Ravens next year. Baltimore's star wideout would be playing out the final year of his three-year contract.
No team has arguably suffered more offensive injury setbacks this season than the Baltimore Ravens. They have lost their starting quarterback, Joe Flacco, for the year with a torn ACL and lost their starting running back, Justin Forsett, with a broken arm. On top of losing three key starters, the Ravens never even got to see their first round pick, Breshad Perriman, who has been placed on injured reserve after dealing with knee issues all year.
Baltimore is currently 4-9, and will have their first losing season under head coach John Harbaugh. While it's clearly been a disappointing season for the Ravens, it's not impossible to think they will return as one of the top teams in the AFC next season. With the return of Smith, Flacco, Forsett, and Perriman the Ravens offense looks to have a ton of firepower, and could possibly make them one of the top contenders in 2016.
