The Baltimore Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson for a second straight game.
Jackson has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s AFC North matchup against the Cleveland Browns as he continues to recover from the ankle injury he suffered in Week 4 against Tennessee.
Tyler Huntley will start again for Baltimore after leading the Ravens to an overtime win over Atlanta last week.
Lamar Jackson Ruled Out vs. Browns
Reuters reported Friday that Jackson will miss his second consecutive game and has not practiced since suffering the injury late in the first half against the Titans.
The Ravens had remained hopeful earlier in the week that Jackson might return in time for Cleveland, but Friday’s practice removed the remaining uncertainty.
Baltimore’s official Friday update noted that Jackson was not on the field at the start of practice and had yet to practice since the injury.
Head coach Jesse Minter said the decision was made with Jackson’s best interest in mind.
How Long Has Lamar Jackson Been Out?
Jackson has not played since leaving Baltimore’s Week 4 win over Tennessee.
Through four games this season, he has completed 70.8 percent of his passes for 967 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. He has also rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The encouraging news is that Baltimore has not collapsed without him.
The Ravens are 4-1 and enter Sunday on a three-game winning streak.
Tyler Huntley Gets Another Start
Huntley will start again after playing well in Baltimore’s 30-23 overtime victory over Atlanta.
He completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, then scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run in overtime.
That performance gave the Ravens confidence that they do not need to rush Jackson back before he is ready.
Huntley does not bring the same explosive element as Jackson, but he knows the offense, protects the football and has enough mobility to keep Baltimore’s run-heavy identity intact.
Trey Hendrickson Returns
Baltimore will get one important player back Sunday.
Trey Hendrickson is expected to return after missing the last two games following finger surgery.
The Ravens confirmed through Friday’s injury updates that Hendrickson is ready to return, giving Baltimore’s defense another pass-rush weapon against Cleveland.
Ravens Will Also Be Without Cam Jurgens and Broderick Washington
Jackson is not Baltimore’s only absence.
Center Cam Jurgens has been ruled out with a concussion and will have to wait to make his Ravens debut after being acquired from Philadelphia.
Defensive tackle Broderick Washington is also out with an ankle injury.
Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, offensive guard Emery Jones Jr. and guard Andrew Vorhees are all listed as questionable.
What Jackson’s Absence Means Against Cleveland
The Browns are 3-2 and have enough defensive talent to make this a very different test from Atlanta.
Without Jackson, Baltimore will likely lean even more heavily on Derrick Henry and Huntley’s ability to manage the offense without giving Cleveland short fields.
The Ravens do not need Huntley to imitate Jackson.
They need him to keep the offense on schedule, protect the football and take advantage of the opportunities Baltimore’s defense creates.
When Will Lamar Jackson Return?
There is still no confirmed return date.
Jackson has been described as day-to-day throughout the week, and Baltimore has not suggested the ankle injury is expected to become a long-term absence.
For now, the only certainty is that Jackson will not play against Cleveland.
Huntley gets the ball again.
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