Lamar Jackson misses Ravens practice with ankle sprain before Falcons game
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was not at practice Wednesday, three days after he sprained his left ankle, the AP and the Ravens' website reported. NFL Network says he has only an outside chance to play Sunday night at Atlanta. Backup Tyler Huntley, who would start in his place, was on the field.
Lamar Jackson was not on the field Wednesday when the Baltimore Ravens began practice for Sunday night's game in Atlanta, the Associated Press and BaltimoreRavens.com reported. He also did not speak to reporters before practice, as he usually does on Wednesdays. Backup Tyler Huntley and rookie Joe Fagnano were the quarterbacks at work. The team's full injury report comes out later Wednesday.
The Ravens may be without their star on Sunday night. The two-time MVP has a sprained left ankle that gives him only an "outside chance" to play, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, ESPN and CBS Sports reported.
Jackson could miss more than one game, depending on how his rehab goes, though the injury is not seen as long-term and should not need surgery, the report said.
He got hurt on the final play of the first half of Sunday's 24-18 win over the Tennessee Titans and did not return, ESPN said. He left the stadium wearing a protective boot. Coach Jesse Minter said Monday that Jackson is "dealing with a little bit of an ankle" and that the team was still gathering information. "I don't think it's going to be crazy long term, but we'll see what happens," Minter said.
If Jackson sits, Tyler Huntley starts. Huntley played the second half against Tennessee and went 8-of-9 for 63 yards, CBS Sports said, and he is 7-9 in 16 career starts.
The numbers show what is at stake. Baltimore is 79-32 with Jackson as its starter and scores 28.4 points a game, ESPN said. Without him since the start of 2019, the Ravens are 6-11 and score 17.6 points a game.
The Ravens are 3-1 and tied with Cleveland for first place in the AFC North. A win would put them at 4-1 for the first time since 2021. Their offense has been sharp under new coordinator Declan Doyle, CBS said, and it may lean on Derrick Henry and the run game if Jackson can't go.
That could be hard against Atlanta, because the Falcons have piled up points in each of their last two games, CBS noted, which can force opponents to play from behind.
What we know: Jackson has a sprained ankle that should not need surgery, and he missed Wednesday's practice.
What we don't: Whether he can practice later this week or play Sunday.
Where outlets agree The AP and BaltimoreRavens.com both report that Jackson was not at the part of Wednesday's practice open to reporters.
Where they differ NFL Network's sources say Jackson could miss multiple games, while Minter said he does not expect the injury to be long-term.