Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice again Thursday and is doubtful to play Saturday night when the Baltimore Ravens face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in a game they have to win to keep alive their already slim playoff hopes.
Jackson, who sustained what Ravens coach John Harbaugh called a “deep tissue contusion” in his back when he was kneed by New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson on Sunday, didn’t practice all week. Harbaugh said Wednesday that Jackson could play without practicing, but the doubtful designation on the game’s final injury report Thursday indicates that the Ravens expect him to miss the game.
“He’s practiced and played a lot of football; he’s won a lot of games for us,” Harbaugh said Wednesday. “If he’s ready to go, he will go. If he can go, he will go. You can bet on that.”
It would be the fourth game missed this season by Jackson, who has also dealt with hamstring, knee, ankle and toe injuries this season. Tyler Huntley is in line to start his second game of the season. In his first start, which came in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, Huntley led the Ravens to arguably their best win of the season, completing 17 of 22 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown and rushing for 53 yards in a 30-16 victory.
The Ravens (7-8) have to beat the Packers on Saturday night to stay in the playoff race. They’d be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend either by losing to the Packers or by the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers beating the last-place Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Failing to make the playoffs would cement 2025 as one of the most disappointing regular seasons in Ravens franchise history.
If the Ravens are eliminated this weekend, they’d likely hold out Jackson for Week 18, which would bring an auspicious ending to one of the worst seasons of his young career. He’s battled a litany of injuries since Week 4, and he’s struggled to find the form that helped him win two NFL MVP awards and finish second to the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen last season.
“I’m just telling you, for a guy that loves to play football and loves to be out there with his teammates, it’s been hard,” Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said Tuesday. “It’s been a struggle, because like any player, to be able to shine, you want to feel your best, especially with lower-body injuries. When Lamar has the ball in his hands, he’s electric, and so I know it’s been really difficult for him. It’s been difficult trying to get himself back and not feeling like he’s playing at the level he’s capable of playing at, but I’ve been pleased with how he’s gone about it and gone about his business, and I know he’s going to fight to get back out there this week.”