The Facts: Smith took another negative turn as his tonsil infection flared up again Thursday morning and he was hospitalized, missing the pre-season finale against the Falcons. Smith is expected to remain in the hospital for at least two days, and is being given intravenous fluids to combat the infection.
Diehards Line:Smith hasn’t practiced in a week due to swollen tonsils and other symptoms, including fever and nausea. However, a team spokesman said that Smith is not going to need to have his tonsils removed. ... Still, Times staffer Aaron Wilson reports the 6-foot, 215-pound Smith has lost roughly 13 pounds since incurring an illness that kept him out of a scheduled start against the Rams and the final dress rehearsal leading up to the Ravens’ Sept. 7 season-opener against the Bengals. Smith's illness, along with Kyle Boller's shoulder injury, makes Joe Flacco the odds-on favorite to start for the Ravens next week.