Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson remained sidelined during practice on Wednesday, casting uncertainty over his availability for the team’s upcoming AFC North divisional matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Jackson missed his second consecutive week of practice work after suffering an ankle injury against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4, according to reports from ProFootball Talk and Sports Illustrated. The injury kept the two-time Most Valuable Player from finishing that contest and forced him to sit out Baltimore’s Week 5 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Ravens maintain ‘day-to-day’ timeline
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter characterized Jackson’s status as “day-to-day,” while emphasizing that the quarterback is pushing to get back onto the field as quickly as possible.
“I think it’s definitely day-to-day. I think a lot of times those things, right when they happen, you’re not sure. You gather information, you look at stuff,” Minter said, as reported by ProFootball Talk. “To Lamar’s credit, he’s working his butt off. He’s doing everything he can to be out here. When he’s able to be, he will.”
Sports Illustrated reported that while Minter previously suggested Jackson could play without practicing, doing so on a healing ankle could prove difficult for a dual-threat quarterback. In Jackson’s absence on Sunday, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley directed a fourth-quarter comeback and an overtime win against Atlanta, with rookie Joe Fagnano serving as the reserve behind him.
Despite missing the second half of Week 4 and all of Week 5, Jackson has posted a league-leading 10.1 yards per attempt and an 80.9 percent adjusted completion percentage among passers with at least 100 dropbacks under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, Fantasy Sports On SI reported.
Roster adjustments and lingering injuries
Jackson is not the only Ravens player working through health concerns ahead of Sunday’s game in Cleveland. Sports Illustrated reported that newly acquired center Cam Jurgens, who arrived in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles last week, continues working through the NFL’s concussion protocol.
The Ravens are preparing for other key returns and roster shifts on both sides of the ball:
- Defensive end Trey Hendrickson is expected to return after undergoing a procedure on an injured finger two weeks ago, with Minter telling reporters he is “super excited to get him back.”
- Wide receiver Rashod Bateman was limited during practice drills but is expected to play, according to team reports cited by Sports Illustrated.
- Baltimore remains hopeful rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane will return from injured reserve.
- Rookie tight end Matthew Hibner played through the second half in Atlanta despite sustaining a hand injury.
The host Browns have their own medical concerns ahead of the Week 6 meeting. Cleveland wide receiver KC Concepcion missed the majority of Week 5 following a hit from safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, SB Nation reported.
Jackson’s status for the rest of the week will likely hinge on whether he can participate in practice on Thursday or take part in Friday’s walkthrough. The Ravens have not yet announced whether Huntley will make a second straight start under center when Baltimore travels to Cleveland on Sunday.
