Will Lamar Jackson play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers or not? It’s a mystery that could last through the week, but the Baltimore Ravens‘ Wednesday actions spoke louder than words. They didn’t exactly inspire confidence when they poached backup quarterback Josh Johnson off the Jets’ practice squad, reuniting with a former camp arm who could be asked to do a lot more than simply hold a clipboard.
Update 12/19/21: On Sunday morning Adam Schefter reported that Jackson’s injury is a bone bruise as opposed to an ankle sprain. There is hope he can play but there appears to be more optimism that he can as of Sunday morning.
Lamar Jackson is ‘day-to-day’
After suffering an ankle injury in Week 14, Jackson is “day-to-day,” according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. He didn’t practice Wednesday, but Baltimore is still holding out hope he’ll heal enough before Sunday to play.
But for now, the team is preparing Tyler Huntley as if he’ll start, with Johnson presumably the backup.
Huntley has completed 58 of 85 passes for 528 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception in four appearances in 2021. He played well enough in his lone start to beat the Bears back in Week 11.
“You’re always one play away,” Harbaugh said when asked about Huntley’s mindset. “He was thinking that way against Chicago obviously and played well. Last week as well. This week, he’s going to get the reps. That’s what we know right now. Him getting the reps today, if he has to play on Sunday, will be a benefit. We’ll see where it goes from there.”
Ravens’ insurance plan for Lamar Jackson
“I’ve known Josh since he played for my brother at University of San Diego many moons ago,” Harbaugh said. “That shows you what a credit it is to Josh’s career. He’s played in this league a long time. He’s very reliable. … Wherever he’s played, he’s played well. To bring him in, all things considered, the potential to need him this week, the potential for the rest of the season, with all the things you’re alluding to, it makes sense to bring him in.”
Harbaugh’s answer was revealing in two ways:
1. It reinforces the reality that Jackson might not play against Green Bay after spraining his ankle in Week 14.
2. It illustrates the team’s awareness that it could need a Plan B for Jackson because of the resurgence of a virus he has already caught twice. Assuming Jackson is still not vaccinated, he could be forced to sit out a game even if he doesn’t pop positive a third time. Unvaccinated players are forced to miss the better part of a week simply for having a close contact, and Jackson has famously refused the jab.
And with the winter wave building and dozens of players and coaches testing positive for coronavirus this week, that’s a significant risk.