Lamar Jackson was itching to return to the sphere, however the Baltimore Ravens are turning again to Tyler Huntley once they go to the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC North battle on Sunday.
Jackson was downgraded to out on the harm report Saturday and can miss a 3rd consecutive video games with a sprained left ankle. The Ravens (4-2) cut up the earlier two video games Huntley began at quarterback.
All indicators pointed to Jackson enjoying this week. He took a step in the precise route as a restricted participant in observe every day. He was listed as questionable on Friday.
Jackson hinted he would not be able to go if he could not transfer comfortably earlier than the sport.
“Simply making an attempt to maneuver how I transfer,” Jackson mentioned. “If I can not do this, I can not assist my group. I can not put my group in a scenario to win. I really feel like I am doing a disservice, if something. If I can simply go on the market and simply be a statue and get hit, [there’s] no positives in that. That is not serving to my group in any respect.”
Sunday’s sport is the primary of three video games in 12 days for the Ravens, who’ve a matchup with Buffalo in Week 8 and a Thursday evening sport towards the Jaguars in Week 9.
Cincinnati will not thoughts the change. Jackson has all the time thrived towards the Bengals (3-2) and holds an 11-2 document within the sequence. The 2-time NFL MVP has handed for twenty-four touchdowns towards six interceptions towards the Bengals.
“I believe anytime you are going towards a participant like that, it is all palms on deck,” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor mentioned of Jackson. “You have to get him on the bottom. He likes to increase plenty of performs.”
The Ravens misplaced 13-10 to the host Cleveland Browns final weekend with out Jackson. Star working again Derrick Henry misplaced a giant fumble within the fourth quarter that arrange Cleveland for its lone landing.
Henry ranks fourth within the NFL with 534 speeding yards.
Cincinnati is coming off a bye however quarterback Joe Burrow feels the urgency.
The Ravens, Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers share first place within the AFC North with Cincinnati a half-game behind.
“It is a massive sport,” Burrow mentioned Wednesday. “There is not any hiding from that. There’s plenty of soccer to be performed after this, however anytime we play the Ravens with inserting within the division on the road, it should be a giant sport, so we’re treating it that means.”
Burrow is displaying indicators of getting one other massive season if he can keep injury-free.
He has handed for 1,361 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in 5 video games. 5 of the six gamers who’ve thrown extra TD passes have performed in six video games.
Burrow is wanting ahead to enjoying towards Ravens move rusher Trey Hendrickson, who made the Professional Bowl 4 instances throughout his 5 seasons with Cincinnati earlier than signing a four-year, $112 million cope with Baltimore as a free agent within the offseason. Hendrickson had 61 sacks and 12 pressured fumbles in 72 video games with the Bengals and was the runner-up for NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr in 2024.
“It will likely be enjoyable,” Burrow mentioned of dealing with Hendrickson. “I obtained to observe with him for a very long time, and I am certain he is excited to hit me slightly bit after not hitting me for thus lengthy.”
Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson predicted Sunday shall be a tough day for Burrow with Hendrickson on the warpath.
“Trey is a superb chief, and he is a man who flies round,” Simpson mentioned. “And man, I’m excited to see him towards his former group. … I imagine that this sport for him goes to be a kind of multiple-sacks video games. I am calling it. I am excited to see the celebration he does.”
Hendrickson has two sacks in 4 video games this season. He missed two video games earlier this month after present process finger surgical procedure.
Hendrickson did not admit publicly to harboring any further motivation towards Cincinnati.
“We’re a group. This is not a person sport,” Hendrickson mentioned. “It is concerning the group and what I can carry and what they’ll carry, and what we are able to collectively do as a unit. I believe that is what makes soccer particular, and I am wanting ahead to it Sunday.”
The Ravens dominated out security Jaylinn Hawkins (knee) and linebacker Tavius Robinson (pectoral), deemed cornerback T.J. Tampa (knee) uncertain and listed offensive lineman Vega Ioane (ankle) and defensive deal with Broderick Washington (ankle) questionable.
Heart Cam Jurgens, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 7, cleared concussion protocol and is in line to make his Ravens debut after lacking two video games.
The Bengals are the uncommon group to get pleasure from a wholesome roster. Security Kyle Dugger (quadriceps) was cleared after training in full Thursday and Friday.
–Discipline Stage Media
