Score one for the social media injury experts who said that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson likely suffered a sprained ankle in Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans. That is indeed the diagnosis for the two-time MVP, who has “only an outside chance” to take the field in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. A multi-game absence is possible.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter declined to provide any details on Jackson’s injury on Sunday or Monday, saying only that it would not be “crazy long-term,” which Rapoport also confirms. Minter will likely refer to the team’s upcoming injury reports when asked about Jackson’s status after practice on Wednesday.
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Tuesday’s update indicates that Jackson is unlikely to practice this week. Baltimore will want backup Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley to take reps with the first-team in preparation for a Falcons defense that has impressed through four weeks. Atlanta ranks close to the middle of the league in points allowed, but they have allowed the eighth-fewest yards with the league’s No. 1 run defense by a wide margin. That is especially problematic for a Ravens offense that leans on their ground game when Jackson is sidelined. The team’s O-line woes have already resulted in a drop in Derrick Henry’s production, which will be worsened by Jackson’s absence.
Opposing offense have been able to move the ball through the air against the Falcons, though not very efficiently. If Sunday’s game comes down to Huntley making throws against a talented, well-coached secondary, the Ravens could be in serious trouble.
Moving to 3-2 via a loss to an NFC team is by no means a season-threatening outcome, especially if the rest speeds Jackson’s recovery. Missing Week 6 against the 3-1 Browns would not be ideal, either, but perhaps withstandable. But the Ravens will need their superstar quarterback back on the field by the end of October when they face the Bengals, Bills, and Jaguars in successive weeks.