7:48pm: Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh doubled down on the “hope” that Jackson would be ready to play after the team’s Week 7 bye. He told the media today that “he expects both (Jackson) and (linebacker) Roquan Smith to be back after” the week off.
Baltimore saw left tackle Ronnie Stanley, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and safety Kyle Hamilton all return to play today after missing the Week 5 massacre. Adding Jackson and Smith, the two players usually designated to communicate with the sideline when healthy, would bring the Ravens back almost to a fully healthy starting line up.
12:58pm: The Ravens are currently in the midst of their second straight game without superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. The two-time MVP was inactive on Sunday against the Rams because of a hamstring injury. The Ravens have a bye next week, and they’re “hopeful” that Jackson will come back after that, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Baltimore entered the season as a popular Super Bowl pick, but injuries and an uncharacteristically poor defense have helped lead to a dismal 1-4 start. With their defense allowing 400-plus yards and over 35 points a game, it’s imperative for Jackson to return if the Ravens are going to keep pace with the division-leading Steelers (3-1) in the AFC North.
The Ravens figured they had a capable backup to Jackson when they signed former Cowboy Cooper Rush to a two-year contract with $4.2MM in guarantees last offseason. Rush’s first start in Jackson’s place was a disaster, though. He went 14 of 20 for 179 yards and three interceptions in a 44-10 blowout loss to the Texans last Sunday. The Ravens and Rams are still in the first half of their Week 6 matchup as of this writing, but Rush has already tossed another INT.
While Rush has struggled as a passer this season, the 31-year-old has also never been a threat with his legs. It’s the opposite with Jackson, who pairs his excellent passing with all-time great skills as a runner. The 28-year-old ranks first in history in rushing yards among QBs (6,339). Team sources indicated earlier this week that the Ravens don’t expect Jackson to get back on the field until he looks like “his normal, dual-threat self.” It turns out that could be as early as Week 8 against the Bears.