Ravens quarterback Troy Smith has been allowed to participate in light conditioning drills, but exactly when the former Heisman Trophy winner will be back on the field still is uncertain following his bout with severe tonsillitis.
Smith, a 2007 fifth-round pick, has lost about 20 pounds since becoming ill as the Ravens traveled to St. Louis for a preseason game on Aug. 22.
The tonsillitis became so severe he developed a blood clot in one of the major veins in his neck — eventually leading to smaller clots breaking off and going to his lungs, which also became infected.
“It is a rare complication of a very severe tonsil infection,” said Dr. Andrew Tucker, the Ravens’ head physician. “Tonsil infections, of course, are very common, but this type of complication is extraordinarily, or exceedingly, rare. So, Troy was just simply extremely unlucky.”
With Smith still sidelined and Kyle Boller out for the season with an injured shoulder, the Ravens will continue to go with rookie quarterback Joe Flacco against the visiting Browns on Sunday afternoon at 4:15 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Flacco will be backed up by veteran Todd Bouman, with Casey Bramlet listed as the No. 3 quarterback.
Harbaugh said he expects Smith to return at some point during the season.
“We don’t know what our situation is going to be when [Troy] comes back,” Harbaugh said. “We think he’s a heck of a quarterback and he’s going to make our team stronger when he comes back.”
Tucker said Smith’s return to the field would be evaluated weekly, and expects him to make a full recovery. But Tucker also said Smith would likely need to have a tonsillectomy after the season.
“God works in mysterious ways, and He’s still incredible,” Smith said. “I still believe in God 110 percent.”
