NFL insider fuels Lamar Jackson Week 8 rumors as Bears prepare for a possibility that’s looking more likely by the day
Injury watch is on for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson ahead of matchup vs. the Chicago Bears.
In the NFL, it’s usually best not to injury watch when preparing for an opponent during the week, but for the Chicago Bears, it’s worth watching what’s going on in Baltimore this week before facing off against the Ravens on Sunday.
Ravens’ starting quarterback Lamar Jackson has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. Jackson was forced to miss each of the last two games and was not seen during Baltimore’s walk-through practice on Monday coming out of the bye week.
ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano noted on Wednesday that Jackson’s injury is likely to keep him out of Sunday’s matchup against the Bears, but to keep an eye out during the team’s practices this week.
“I don’t believe it’s a sure thing that Lamar Jackson returns from his hamstring injury to play against the Bears on Sunday,” Graziano wrote. “Jackson has missed the past two games, and the Ravens have been hoping he could return after their Week 7 bye. But they held a post-bye-week practice Monday, and Jackson did not take part in it. I’ve had a couple of conversations with people familiar with this situation that led me to believe Jackson might miss another game while recovering from the injury and return in Week 9 against the Dolphins.”
Lamar Jackson returns to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday
Reporters in Baltimore shared later in the day that Jackson returned to the practice field for the first time since Sept. 28th. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, reported that Jackson arrived 20 minutes into practice but mostly did warm up throws with media in attendance. He did run around a bit as well.
This is obviously a big development for Jackson’s potential status in Week 8 but, it’s not a definitive development by any means and still something to monitor over the next two days. As for Chicago, head coach Ben Johnson confirmed on Wednesday while talking to reporters that the Bears are preparing to face Jackson until the decision on his status is official, which is the right approach.
“We’ll approach it that he’s starting for them,” Johnson said of Jackson’s status. “That’s our starting point.”
With Jackson out of the lineup for the last two games, the Ravens have started Cooper Rush at quarterback with Tyler Huntley as the QB2. In those two games, the Ravens were outscored 61-13.
Chicago will have a few injuries to watch out for this week as well. Veteran tight end Cole Kmet (back) and starting outside cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder) each left the game in Week 7 and we’ll see what their statuses are after Wednesday’s practice. The same goes for veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who’s missed three straight games due to a knee injury.
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