DeMeco Ryans on how they try to replicate Lamar Jackson in practice:

“We cannot replicate Lamar Jackson.” 🤣

“When you see Lamar on Sunday you see that’s a bad man.. he’s a special player, all in a league of his own, we don’t even try to replicate him.” pic.twitter.com/s62Ie0NWeL

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) October 2, 2025

The injury report says that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson might not play on Sunday when the Houston Texans arrive at M&T Bank Stadium.

Houston doesn’t care. DeMeco Ryans has his 1-3 roster practicing as if the two-time MVP signal-caller will be taking the stage instead of former Dallas Cowboys longtime backup Cooper Rush.

“We’re operating as if Lamar is playing,” Ryans said. “We’ll see what happens throughout the week, but we’re not playing in the what ifs and that right now. We’re focusing on Lamar and the dynamics he brings to the game.” 

Jackson, who was on his way to a potential third MVP title despite having a 1-3 record, exited the Ravens’ 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday midway through the third quarter and did not return with a hamstring injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh never got into the specifics of the injury, but did mention that Jackson wouldn’t have been able to return to the game.

Right now, the Ravens are considering him “day-to-day” despite the reports signalling that he could miss up to a month with the hamstring strain. On Wednesday’s injury report, Jackson was listed as a non-participant because of the hamstring, along with seven other Ravens starters.

 “You’ll see guys back tomorrow, you’ll see guys back Friday, you’ll see guys back Sunday,” Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday. “We’ll get as many guys back as we can, but we’re also preparing not to have some guys back. That’s what we’ll prepare for, and we’ll be ready to go and play our best game of the year.” 

The Texans can’t seem to get past Jackson whenever the two AFC foes meet in the regular season or playoffs. Two years ago, with then-rookie C.J. Stroud, Jackson guided Baltimore to the AFC title game with a 34-10 home playoff win. Last season, he came in Houston on Christmas and delivered a 31-2 beatdown, which many considered to be the worst loss in franchise history.

“You see Lamar on Sundays, that’s a bad man,” Ryans said. “Nobody can replicate him. He’s a special player all in a league of his own. We don’t even try to replicate him.”

Even if Jackson is out, Ryans is paying attention to the supporting. He credited the progress of weapons like running back Derrick Henry and receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins as players Houston could fae its fiar share of struggles with in space.

And while Rush isn’t an elite player, he’s managed to carve out a decent career in his tenure over the last eight seasons, posting an 9-5 record as a starter. Even if Jackson won’t be out there, the weapons will be, so there’s still a challenge waiting for the Texans to deal with.

 “They still have explosive players who Lamar is getting the football to, so that doesn’t change,” Ryans said. “If Rush has to come in and play, he still has very capable guys he can get the ball too. So, it really doesn’t matter to us.” 

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.