Ravens Insider: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson absent from practice Thursday with Steelers looming

[ExtremeRavens]

Another week, another absence for Lamar Jackson.

A day after being limited in practice with an ankle injury, the Ravens quarterback was not at practice Thursday afternoon in Owings Mills. It marks the fourth consecutive week that Jackson has missed at least one day of work.

What it means for his availability for a critical AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium remains to be seen, but his missing practice would seem to indicate that he suffered the injury during Wednesday’s session. Baltimore last played on Thanksgiving night, players had the weekend off and the first regular practice of the week was not until Wednesday.

However, offensive coordinator Todd Monken said Thursday that he expects Jackson will play Sunday.

“I just give him a lot of credit,” Monken said when asked about the quarterback not performing up to his usual standard this year. “He’s battling each week, trying to get healthy enough to be able to play every Sunday. That’s what I see. I see a guy that’s battling little nagging injuries, things that are stopping him from being able to get out there every day and practice.”

Jackson was listed on the first injury report of the week Wednesday as a limited participant in practice with an ankle injury. It’s the second time this season that he has been listed with that affliction after missing a practice ahead of last month’s game against the New York Jets, though it’s unclear if it’s the same right ankle that he injured then.

Already, he has missed three games this season because of a hamstring injury. He has also been listed with knee and toe injuries.

What impact the cluster of injuries is having on his play is difficult to say and something that the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has mostly dismissed, but he is having perhaps the worst season in his eight years in the league.

In nine games, Jackson has averaged 204.6 yards passing per game, his lowest mark since 2022, when a knee injury kept him from the final five games of the regular season and the Ravens’ wild-card game against the Cincinnati Bengals. His QBR, a stat devised by ESPN that measures nearly every aspect of quarterback play, of 57.9 is also the lowest since his rookie season.

Jackson, who holds the NFL record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback, also hasn’t been nearly as dynamic or explosive with his legs. His yards per carry (5.1) is the lowest it has been since his first year, and his rushing yards per game (29.3) are easily the fewest of any season of his career.

Consequently, the Ravens’ offense has also struggled mightily most of the season.

Coming into this week, Baltimore ranks 20th in yards per game (318.1) and 30th in red zone scoring (46.51%) after leading the league in both last season with a roster that is largely intact from a year ago. Accuracy issues have also plagued Jackson lately, with his completion rate under 60% in four straight games, the longest such stretch of his career.

In last Thursday’s loss to the Bengals, he had two fumbles and an interception as well.

“We have to hold onto the ball,” Jackson said after the game. “I’m not even talking about — I’m talking about myself. [I have to] hold onto the ball [and] make throws. I feel like I missed throws. That was — I don’t miss those. It has to be consistent.”

Asked if injuries have affected his mechanics or play, he said no to both questions.

“I just have to be more consistent,” he said. “I have to make those throws. I don’t miss them in practice, so I shouldn’t be missing them in the game.”

If Jackson can’t play Sunday, or is limited in what he is able to do, it would be a blow for what is a crucial game against the Steelers.

Both teams enter the contest 6-6 and with first place in the division on the line. They’ll meet again in Week 18 in Pittsburgh, but the winner Sunday will have the inside track to the AFC North title and a playoff spot with only four games remaining in the regular season after that.

As for other injuries, Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones (personal) was the only other player who didn’t practice. Wide receivers Rashod Bateman (ankle) and Devontez Walker (groin) were limited after being full participants Wednesday. Cornerback Nate Wiggins (foot), safety Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles) and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (foot) were all limited.

For the Steelers, quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) and linebacker T.J. Watt (toe) returned to practice and were full participants after being absent Wednesday, while wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (rest) and cornerback James Pierre (concussion) were also full participants after being limited a day earlier.

Meanwhile, offensive lineman Calvin Anderson (knee), safety Kyle Dugger (hand), defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), cornerback Donte Kent (ankle/knee) and safety Jalen Ramsey (rest) all did not practice. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (elbow), linebacker and former Raven Patrick Queen (glute) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (shoulder) were all limited.

Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. 

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