The Baltimore Ravens have been without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson since he suffered a knee injury back in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. Now, with a Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Bengals looming this weekend, there are fears that the QB might not be back for the third meeting between the two AFC North rivals.
According to a report from Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Jackson faces an “uphill” battle to play this weekend. The QB has tried to do some work on his injured knee, but has not “felt right” yet after suffering the injury. Jackson suffered a PCL sprain back in Week 13 against the Broncos, and has not practiced since the injury.
Friday update:
The Ravens officially ruled Jackson out for Sunday night’s playoff game against the Bengals:
The #Ravens rule out QB Lamar Jackson (knee) and list Snoop Huntley (wrist/shoulder) as questionable… though he was a full participant today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2023
Thursday evening updates:
Jackson took to social media on Thursday evening to give fans an update on his status. According to the quarterback, he is dealing with a Grade 2 PCL sprain, bordering on a Grade 3. Jackson indicated that while he wished he could be out there, but he “can’t give 100%:”
remains unstable. I’m still in good spirits, as I continue with treatments on the road to recovery. I wish I could be out there with my guys more than anything but I can’t give a 100% of myself to my guys and fans I’m still hopeful we still have a chance.
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) January 12, 2023
Thursday afternoon updates:
Things are not trending in the right direction for Jackson to return to the field Sunday night against the Bengals. Jeff Zrebiec, who covers the Ravens for The Athletic, noted on Thursday afternoon that Jackson again did not practice on Thursday:
Lamar Jackson was again not practicing. Tyler Huntley came out to the field late, but he was throwing in portion open to media. He didn’t do that yesterday.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 12, 2023
In a report on the NFL Network, Rapoport made the case that Tyler Huntley “appears set to start” against Cincinnati:
Late in the afternoon on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Jackson is “not expected” to play Sunday night against Cincinnati:
Lamar Jackson officially did not practice today and is not expected to play Sunday night vs. Bengals; Tyler Huntley resumed throwing today and was listed as a limited participant at practice.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2023
Wednesday updates
According to reporters covering the Ravens, Jackson did not practice on Wednesday. Adam Schefter stated that Jackson is “on track to miss his sixth straight game:”
Thirty eight days after he sprained his PCL, Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson missed another practice and he is on track to miss his sixth straight game.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2023
Previous updates
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh addressed the media on Tuesday, and while he did not have an update on Jackson’s status for Baltimore’s Wild Card game against Cincinnati, he told assembled reporters that the QB was in “great spirits:”
“Lamar’s been in great spirits. He’s been working super-hard. He’s out there again today. I don’t watch the workouts with the trainers. Hopefully, he’s progressing to the point where he can practice sometime soon. That’s really what we’re all hoping for, for sure. When we have something to report on that, we will.
“He’s been great. He’s always in good spirits. He wants to play, there’s no doubt, that’s my feeling. You know I love Lamar. I love everything about Lamar. Always have, always will. He’s working hard, he’s in good spirits.”
The Ravens are scheduled to play the Bengals on Sunday night. Baltimore will resume practice on Wednesday, and the team will put out an injury report sometime on Wednesday. It is unclear whether Jackson, who has not practiced since the injury, will return to the practice field then.
Baltimore won two of their five games while Jackson was sidelined, with Tyler Huntley and Anthony Brown starting for the Ravens. Brown started Baltimore’s Week 18 game, when Huntley was inactive. with a shoulder injury.
This post will be updated with additional information on Jackson’s status.