Ravens Insider: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson absent from practice Thursday with illness

[ExtremeRavens]

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent from practice Thursday in Owings Mills with an illness, according to the injury report. It’s the first time he hasn’t been on the field this season, including training camp.

Jackson’s absence comes four days before the Ravens (9-3) host the red-hot Los Angeles Rams (6-6), winners of three straight. Baltimore, meanwhile, is coming off a bye week.

With wide receiver Rashod Bateman returning to the field Thursday after being out with an illness the day before, Jackson was the only player absent. Jackson did practice and meet with the media Wednesday and appeared to be fine, but backup Tyler Huntley and third-string veteran Josh Johnson took the practice reps Thursday in his absence.

“I just kind of took a break from focusing on football with us,” Jackson said Wednesday of how he spent the week off. “When I got back, today [and] yesterday, I believe our team is just locked in because we know what’s ahead of us, we know what got us here, [and] we know what this team wants. I believe we know what we’re chasing.”

Jackson, who signed a five-year, $260 million contract extension in April that made him the third-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, has missed 11 games over the past two seasons. He missed the final four games in 2021 with a bone bruise in his ankle and the final six last year, including a wild-card-round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, with a PCL sprain in his knee. Jackson also missed a game in November 2021 against the Chicago Bears with an illness.

The Ravens are tied with the Miami Dolphins for the best record in the AFC and Jackson is a candidate for his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award after being the unanimous MVP in 2019. He has thrown for 2,618 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 574 yards and five scores.

Huntley, a Pro Bowl alternate last season because of an injury to Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen, is 3-5 in eight starts with the Ravens since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2020. In 18 games, the 25-year-old has thrown for 1,792 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 470 yards and three scores. He started against the Rams for an injured Jackson on Jan. 2, 2022, helping Baltimore nearly pull off an upset in a 20-19 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who leads the Ravens with 10 sacks, was a full participant Thursday for the first time since suffering a concussion in a Week 12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Bateman also practiced fully, while linebacker Malik Harrison (groin) was limited for the second straight day.

The Rams got back two players in defensive back Quentin Lake (hamstring) and outside linebacker Byron Young (knee), who were limited Thursday. Wide receiver Puka Nacua, who leads all rookies with 77 catches and 1,029 receiving yards, was a full participant after being limited Wednesday. Tight end Tyler Higbee (neck) and outside linebacker Michael Hoecht (knee) were absent for the second straight day.

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