Week 9 Outlook
Availability
Former Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith officially announced his retirement from the NFL Friday.
Fantasy Impact
Smith played 16 seasons in the NFL with two teams, the Panthers (2001-2013) and the Ravens (2014-2016). He finished his career with 1,031 receptions for 14.731 yards receiving and 81 touchdowns and is ranked seventh on the all-time yards receiving list and 12th on the all-time receptions list at the time of his retirement. Smith was voted to five Pro Bowls and was a two-time first-team All-Pro selection. However, he has never been a part of a team that advanced to the Super Bowl. He will be in the Hall of Fame conversation in five years.
Steve Smith caught three of five targets for 34 yards in Sunday's game against the Bengals. Smith officially announced his retirement after the game.
Fantasy Impact
After suffering a devastating injury in 2015, Smith came back strong this season, totaling 70 catches for 799 yards and five touchdowns. He ends his career with an outstanding 1,031 receptions for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith told the media he's "89 percent sure [about] what he's going to do after [the] season," according to beat writer Jeff Zrebiec. The Ravens' reporter added that Smith was "growing emotional about how his daughter wants him home."
Fantasy Impact
It appears that Smith is once again leaning towards retiring after the 2016 campaign. The 37-year-old wideout has played 16 seasons in the NFL and could finally hang up his cleats following Sunday's game at Cincinnati. Smith has produced a 1,028-14,697-81 stat line in 218 career games leading into Week 17.
Steve Smith Sr. caught all seven of his targets for 79 yards and a touchdown in Baltimore's Week 16 loss to Pittsburgh.
Fantasy Impact
Steve Smith Sr. had a big impact on the Ravens' lifeless offense in the first half, racking up 59 yards through the air. He had a big catch and run of 44 yards on the Ravens' second drive. Smith Sr. scored early on in the third quarter with an 18-yard touchdown reception and then was the recipient of Baltimore's two point conversion. With Baltimore now eliminated from playoff contention, next week's visit to Cincinnati in Week 17 could be the final game of the veteran's career.
Steve Smith Sr. caught two of seven targets for 40 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Eagles. It was Smith's fourth touchdown catch of the season.
Fantasy Impact
Smith was held under three catches for the first time all season, as the Ravens played conservatively in difficult conditions. Expect Smith to return to his more customary 4-to-6 catch range next week against the Steelers' mediocre pass defense.
