DECEMBER 11: Jackson is expected to miss not only Sunday’s contest against the Steelers, but the Ravens’ Week 15 matchup with the Browns as well, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Baltimore is hopeful that its QB1 will be back on the field for the team’s Christmas Eve game against the Falcons, though there is a “strong chance” Jackson will not be completely healthy until at least the end of the regular season.
DECEMBER 9: As expected, Jackson is unlikely to play against the Steelers in Week 14. Harbaugh said Friday “it looks like” Huntley will receive the call. This stands to be Jackson’s sixth missed game over the past two seasons.
DECEMBER 6: Lamar Jackson avoided a major knee injury, but the Ravens quarterback could still be sidelined for a few weeks. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports writes that the Ravens are “bracing to be without” Jackson for a “few weeks.”
Earlier today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed (on Twitter) that Jackson suffered a sprained PCL on Sunday, with the reporter suggesting that the QB could miss anywhere from one to three weeks. While John Harbaugh initially said that Jackson could be out for “days or weeks,” the head coach acknowledged today that his starting signal-caller is “less likely” to play on Sunday against Pittsburgh.
The Ravens seem to be remaining flexible with their star QB. While the organization would surely want Jackson back on the field before the start of the playoffs, Baltimore should be afforded a bit of breathing room. The Ravens are in the thick of the playoff hunt and have one of the easiest remaining schedules, including two matchups against the lowly Steelers. A Week 18 matchup against the Bengals could end up being crucial for playoff positioning, but Jackson would have four weeks of recovery time before that crucial showdown.
Plus, Tyler Huntley was solid while filling in for Jackson in 2021. The backup only went 1-3 in his four starts, but he completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 1,081 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also added another 294 yards and two scores on the ground.
“We run the same basic offense with both players [Jackson and Huntley], so it’s not really going to change anything in terms of preparation,” Harbaugh said (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). “[Huntley is] a player that’s got a lot of dynamics to his game. He operates really well. So, if that’s the way he goes [and Huntley starts for Jackson], that’s the way it goes. We’ll be excited to play, and our guys will be fired up.”
The Ravens are clearly preparing for Jackson to miss at least one contest, as the organization added Brett Hundley to the practice squad yesterday.
‘…We run the same basic offense with both players [Jackson and Huntley]…’ That’s why you don’t shell out over $250M then.
That’s not what he meant and you know it
Not in terms of ‘basic’. But when you don’t have to modify your offense w/ a backup in, why not just start him then? Lots of savings.
Geno Smith is making around $3m, average for starting QB’s is probably $30m.
One QB was 8-3 last year with the same ‘basic’ offense. While the other QB went 0-6. Check my math, but I think that’s correct.
If Lamar and Huntley are truly “interchangeable,” then why do the Ravens have a winning record when the former starts and a losing record when the latter plays? Harbaugh merely meant that the 2 QBs have the same play style. An immobile play caller, like Mike Glennon for instance, would not be able to operate this offense.
“Geno Smith is making around $3m…” Not for long; if he finishes the season strong, he’s going to get paid. That’s how this league works. You can either pay up, or move on. Baltimore can move on if they wish, and there’s certainly a debate to be had regarding whether Jackson’s worth as much as he’s asking for.
However, you can’t just plug someone like Huntley or Hundley in and expect identically successful results. Furthermore, for every bargain-bin deal that happens to work out (Geno), there are about five that fail miserably
Glennon is as immobile as Big Ben. He should probably be on the Steelers depth chart.
Wonder if that offer is still in the table
It’s the same basic offense. Wise on Ravens part. Because of Lamar’s style of play, the FO and on-field staff realize injury can happen. They have a solid Plan B.
Of course when Lamar is in, his other worldly instincts, intangibles and athleticism get us more victories than losses. Special.
I do like Tyler. For a guy who doesn’t get much playing time, he is always prepared and seems not intimated when in the moment. Oh, IMO he does a much better job of going through his progressions on passing plays than Lamar.
I stand by my original post. I wouldn’t pay Lamar. Running QB’s get injured. Here he is missing more time in back to back seasons.
Easy trade bait for a gullible team.
Huntley and Jackson look interchangeable. That is good for Huntley, not so good for Jackson.
Go back and look at the strength of their passes. Jackson has a lot more zip on his passes. Huntley isn’t exactly throwing ducks, but there’s a noticeable float.
Interchangeable doesn’t equal the same amount of victories. Check out that stat.
Lowly Steelers again? What does this guy always have against them? Just list the schedule without the obvious personal edge dude.
6 SB. An elite franchise. That’s what. I guess the Pigeons will find out Sunday.
My thoughts exactly
I saw that and laughed. The Steelers are below average but I would use the word lowly for the Broncos and Texans
In terms of expectations has anyone become more lowly than the Rams?
The Rams deserve a pass because of the Super Bowl last year and their brutal injuries this year. The Broncos and Packers don’t have an excuse but my vote goes to Denver
Not to mention the Rams losing their OC to Minnesota where he’s in line to become NFC Coach of the Year.
all bias aside a team that’s 3-1 in their last 4 , and 2 games out of a wildcard spot isn’t lowly.
oh well talk is cheap. got a game on Sunday and I think Steelers will come in favored.
And yet, we all know that it’s a smoke screen, isn’t it? The secondary is porous. The D-line can’t stop the run. The O-line still gets pushed around and as much as I liked the Steelers drafting of Kenny, the jury is still out as we wonder if the offense sputters because of him or the OC
This isn’t a good team. “Lowly” is a stretch, but I don’t have any doubt that if they were playing the Bills or Eagles today, the result would be much the same
depends on what your expectations are.. making the playoffs is a possibility and that wouldve been outrageous to say prior to the bye.
the offense has dramatically improved since the bye. they’re not frustrating to watch anymore .. I won’t call them good, but let’s term it “functional” .. which is huge improvement from absolute mess they were earlier in the season.
Kenny’s doing fine.. he’s a west coast qb.. gotta be able to run the ball for those guys to be successful.
gotta be able to pick up crucial yards on the ground in the red zone to score.
there’s only a handful of teams who wouldn’t get wiped by the Bills or Eagles.
All valid arguments, Goku. “Functional” is an appropriate term, of course. The O-line still gets pushed back a great deal and the OC still will not allow Kenny to throw the ball downfield very often despite having two deep threats
The D-line still is still getting pushed around in the run game and I will admit that Maulet has had a nice season in the secondary to compliment Minkah, good QB’s pick them apart with relative ease
But yes, perception is reality
Whether it’s the Pirates or Steelers, all you want to see is progress. In the case of the latter, at least, we’ve seen that
The idea of being a playoff team has lost some luster, as the NFL has expanded almost to the point of the NHL
But my comment about the Bills and Eagles was meant to be analogous to good teams in general I don’t think the Steelers can stand with them yet, but on any given Sunday….
they didn’t tank last year and still got their QB at 20.
this draft is very deep… and doesn’t necessarily have that elite LT thats worth tanking for.
I still think making the playoffs would mean a great deal… all about clout in the AFC North
Skowrinski may not go top 10, so could trade up or get lucky again at the draft
**Pete Skoronski
If you’ve watched today’s game, Goku, it’s a classic example of what I’ve said. So many areas that need to be fixed that really, I’m not sure one off season can cure them
I’ve been watching this team for 50 years and honestly, it’s one of their worst during that time
well over achieving is off the table now lol
He’s probably done for fantasy owners this year.
Baker Mayfield just turned up the heat on Tyler Huntley. Baker stepped off the bus 48 hours prior to kickoff, had 20 snaps of practice, led the longest comeback drive in NFL history with no timeouts.
Throws out all of the learn the system, need to practice, and build chemistry theories. Apparently, you can either play or you can’t.
Mayfield had plenty of help from a Raider defense that derped away a winnable game, first with pass interference on an INT, then a truly derp penalty for smacking the ball out of Mayfield’s hands after a sack.
anthony richards to the ravens it is.
Maybe once he’s healthy he’ll think twice about playing like he’s a RB and more like an actual QB