Baltimore Ravens deny Steve Smith broke bones in his back
Saturday 3 October 2015 20:41, UK
The Baltimore Ravens have denied reports wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. suffered four broken bones in his back in Thursday’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 36-year-old was speared in his lower back by Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons late in the third quarter of the Ravens' 23-20 overtime win in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
He did not return to the game, and the Ravens announced the injury as a lower back contusion.
Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, is planning to retire at the end of the season and there was speculation his career could be over but the Ravens are adamant that is far from the case.
"While the Ravens do not give specifics about injuries out of respect to the men on our team and HIPAA (health insurance) laws, we want to dispel rumours and stories currently being reported about Steve Smith Sr.'s injury," the team said in a statement.
"He does have a back injury. It is not a surgical issue. His status is currently week-to-week."
The Ravens were responding to multiple reports claiming that Smith had broken four bones in his back or ribs.
Five-time Pro Bowl selection Smith, 36, is a 15-year veteran in the league and has said he will retire after this season.
"It's probably the first time in my career I feel like I'm 36," Smith told reporters after Baltimore's win against the Steelers. "I'm trying to get through tomorrow. I'm trying to make it to the airplane."
The three-time All-Pro has been the team's most influential playmaker this season, racking up 29 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns in four games.
