The Baltimore Ravens will for the second straight week be without their irreplaceable quarterback, Lamar Jackson. He will miss his third straight game as he continues to suffer from a hamstring injury. The team confirmed Saturday that Jackson will not be healthy enough to play this week against the Chicago Bears. They are thinking about the short turnaround for Thursday’s home opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Jackson’s absence has been keenly missed by the Ravens. Since he became the starting quarterback in 2018, the team boasts an impressive record of 74 wins to 32 losses, including playoffs, when he is at the helm. Whenever Jackson has had to sit, the Ravens have floundered, posting a pathetic 4-12 mark. The Ravens went into a funk the last two games without him. They scored an anemic 6.5 points per game, a stark contrast to the 32.8 points they’ve mustered in Jackson’s four starts this year.
Head Coach John Harbaugh announced that Tyler Huntley would be starting against the Bears. This decision is intended to be a stopgap to cover up Jackson’s absence. Huntley filled in for Jackson over a ten-game span, which included a playoff game appearance. In 2022, his remarkable performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection. His championship-winning experience will likely be important as the Ravens try to wrestle with this crucial turning point to their season.
Jackson was a full participant in practice on Friday. He was downgraded to limited participation on Saturday, resulting in the decision to hold him out. Harbaugh conceded Jackson’s rehab is under surveillance. As much as he wants it to be different, Jackson’s health is a priority — not just for the Ravens, but for Jackson’s long-term viability, too.
The toll of Jackson’s absence on team camaraderie is very apparent. The Ravens’ odds swung wildly less than an hour after the news of his unavailability broke. They dropped from being a 6.5-point favorite against the Bears last week to only a 1.5-point favorite. This adjustment underscores just how critical Jackson’s playmaking ability is to Baltimore’s success.
While Ravens fans remain hopeful for Jackson’s return, he is expected to be back on the field for Thursday night’s game in Miami. It’s hard to overstate how important his presence will be as the season unfolds and Baltimore looks to push for the playoffs and potentially beyond.
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