Baltimore Ravens Will Play Without Lamar Jackson Against Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a left ankle injury, coach Jesse Minter announced on Friday. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley will step in as the starter for the matchup.
Ankle Injury Sidelines Jackson After Titans Victory
Jackson sustained the injury late in the second quarter during Baltimore’s 24-18 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. He did not return for the second half and departed M&T Bank Stadium wearing a protective boot on his left foot. After failing to practice all week, Jackson has been officially ruled out, marking his first absence of the season.
“To Lamar’s credit, this dude is working his tail off to get back,” Minter said during his Friday press conference. “Don’t know the specifics of next week, but I know he’ll be doing everything in his power to get back.”
Tyler Huntley Takes Over the Offense
With Jackson sidelined, Tyler Huntley assumes control of an offense looking to maintain its position atop the AFC North. The Ravens share a 3-1 record with the Cleveland Browns and aim to reach 4-1 for the first time since 2021. Huntley went 2-0 as a fill-in starter last season, keeping Baltimore’s offensive engine moving during previous absences.
“We have a ton of confidence in [Huntley] to play really well,” Minter said. “I think everyone on the team is excited to see that.” Wide receiver Rashod Bateman echoed that sentiment, noting that Huntley has previously stepped up when called upon.
Statistical drop-offs typically accompany the transition from Jackson to Huntley, particularly regarding explosive plays. Jackson has thrown nine passes of 25 yards or longer through four games this season, ranking fifth in the NFL. During Huntley’s two starts last year, he totaled just one completion of 25 yards or more.
Historical Split Highlights Importance of Starting Quarterback
The statistical divergence between games started by Jackson and games played without him highlights the challenge facing Baltimore this weekend. With Jackson as the starter, the Ravens boast a 79-32 record (.712 winning percentage) while averaging 28.4 points per game. Without him since the start of the 2019 season, Baltimore’s record falls to 6-11 (.353), and their scoring average drops sharply to 17.6 points per contest. Five of those six wins without Jackson, however, came under Huntley’s direction.
Additional Roster Absences Compound Challenges for Baltimore
The Ravens will also be without outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson, who misses his second game following finger surgery. With both Jackson and Hendrickson unavailable, Baltimore will play without two of their three highest-paid players in terms of average annual salary.
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