The Baltimore Ravens have an uphill battle. Recurring injury issues to key players, not least of whom is essential star QB Lamar Jackson, have hurt. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh wasn’t ready to announce Rush as the starting quarterback for the duration of Jackson’s absence. This decision follows a disappointing 1-4 start to the season. Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, sat out the final game with a hamstring injury. Without him, the team crashed and burned on the field.
Instead, backup Cooper Rush stepped in for Jackson and made his first career start for the Ravens. His completion percentage was 70, and he finished with 170 yards, though he did throw three interceptions. The Ravens always struggle when Jackson’s not on the field, with an abysmal 4-11 (.266) record without him since 2018. They’ve dropped five consecutive contests in which he wasn’t under center.
Harbaugh addressed the media and expressed uncertainty regarding Jackson’s potential return this week, saying, “With Lamar and the other guys, I would say we’re in the process of figuring that out right now.” The head coach wouldn’t guarantee any of the other injured Pro Bowl players would be back for Sunday’s AFC West matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. That would include safety Kyle Hamilton, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, middle linebacker Roquan Smith and cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
Reflecting on the team’s current state and the challenges of managing injuries, Harbaugh stated: “A lot of that’s with the injuries, too, getting guys back. That’ll take some pressure off some guys that were thrown into a tough spot.” He emphasized that despite the struggles, the team remains optimistic about turning things around, asserting, “You can’t sit there and say all is lost. We just don’t.”
As the Ravens prepare for their next game, Harbaugh indicated that “a lot of decisions” must be made regarding personnel. He affirmed that the coaching staff will analyze every aspect of their strategy moving forward: “We’ll consider everything, every part of it to try to get the win.”
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