Lamar Jackson will not return for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.
The Ravens ruled Jackson out Saturday for Sunday’s AFC North matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, meaning Tyler Huntley will make his third consecutive start.
The decision is a notable reversal from where the week appeared to be headed. Jackson returned to practice on a limited basis, carried a questionable designation into the weekend and had publicly expressed hope that he could play.
Instead, Baltimore will give its franchise quarterback another week to recover from the ankle injury that has sidelined him since Week 4.
Why Lamar Jackson Was Ruled Out
The Ravens officially ruled Jackson out Saturday after he remained limited throughout the practice week.
Jackson suffered the injury during Baltimore’s Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and has not played since.
Friday, Jackson acknowledged that the biggest issue was not simply being able to stand in the pocket. It was whether he could move like himself.
That distinction is critical for a quarterback whose mobility is central to both Baltimore’s designed running game and his ability to escape pressure.
If Jackson cannot run, cut and protect himself normally, putting him on the field would remove one of the defining elements of his game.
The Ravens Changed Course Late in the Week
There was genuine optimism earlier in the week.
NFL.com noted that Jackson practiced on a limited basis Wednesday through Friday and was initially listed as questionable.
That made a Sunday return feel realistic.
But the Ravens ultimately decided the ankle had not progressed enough to justify the risk.
Jackson will now miss his third straight game.
Tyler Huntley Gets Another Start
Huntley will again run Baltimore’s offense.
He has completed 70.8 percent of his passes for 429 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in three appearances this season.
He helped the Ravens escape Atlanta with an overtime win in Week 5 before Baltimore lost at Cleveland last week.
That gives the Ravens a backup with real experience in the system, but it does not make Jackson’s absence insignificant.
Baltimore is 7-12 without Jackson since he became the team’s full-time starter in 2018.
The Timing Matters in the AFC North
This is not a low-stakes game.
The Ravens enter Week 7 at 4-2 and remain in the middle of a crowded AFC North race. Cincinnati is 3-2 and coming off its bye.
A loss would not derail Baltimore’s season, but it would tighten the division considerably and increase the pressure surrounding Jackson’s eventual return.
That is why the Ravens’ decision is significant.
They are choosing the long-term value of a healthier Jackson over forcing him back for a divisional game.
When Could Lamar Jackson Return?
There is no official Week 8 guarantee.
Reuters reported Saturday that Jackson had made progress during the week but still was not ready to play.
The next checkpoint will be Baltimore’s practice schedule next week.
If Jackson returns as a fuller participant and shows he can move without significant pain, Week 8 becomes a more realistic target.
For now, the only certainty is that he will not play against Cincinnati.
What It Means for Baltimore
The Ravens have already shown they can win without Jackson.
They have also shown how much more difficult every possession becomes without him.
Huntley does not need to imitate Jackson. He needs to protect the football, keep Baltimore on schedule and let the running game and defense carry more of the burden.
Sunday will be another test of how long the Ravens can survive without the player around whom the entire offense is built.
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