When the Baltimore Ravens released the Thursday injury report, there was a significant name on it. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was listed as DNP (did not practice) with an illness. Jackson’s presence on the injury report was surprising because he was not listed on Wednesday.
The Ravens are coming off a bye week and host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Baltimore has a two-game lead over the Cleveland Browns in the AFC North and is tied with the Miami Dolphins for the top record in the AFC, but Miami currently owns the tiebreaker.
What Is Lamar Jackson’s Status?
Jackson is expected to start on Sunday against the Rams after being a full participant in Friday’s practice. Thursday was the first practice he has missed this season after dealing with injuries last year. After the release of the injury report, the team did not disclose the nature of the illness.
After Friday’s practice, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said of Jackson’s status, “He was feeling good, full of life. He looked good out there, and he was back, and he’s recovered.”
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The Ravens’ backup quarterback is Tyler Huntley, who started four games last season when Jackson was injured. He has a completion rate of 65.5% with six touchdowns and seven interceptions in 18 career games.
Jackson is having an MVP-type season with a career-high 68.3% completion rate with 13 TDs and five INTs. He is averaging 218.2 pass yards and 47.8 rush yards per game.
What’s Ahead for Ravens?
After playing the Rams, Baltimore goes on the road to play the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers before hosting the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers to end the season.
The Dolphins own the tiebreaker right now against the Ravens because of the conference record. Both teams are 9-3, but Miami is 6-2 against AFC teams, while Baltimore is 6-3.
Unless the Week 17 game ends in a tie, the winner will own the tiebreaker for the top seed if they are the only two teams tied for the top spot in the AFC. This is the fourth season that only the top seed gets a bye during the Wild Card round.
The Ravens are missing a major piece of the offense with Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews, who is out after having ankle surgery last month. He is second on the team with 45 receptions and 544 yards.
Baltimore’s three losses have been by 12 total points, and they are 3-3 in one-possession games. The Ravens defense has held opponents to 10 points or fewer in five of 12 games, and the offense has scored 28 points or more six times.
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