Lamar Jackson Injury: Latest update on Baltimore Ravens superstar after concerning play against the Tennessee Titans
The Baltimore Ravens have controlled the Tennessee Titans from the opening kick, but one play just before halftime changed the tone of the afternoon, and Baltimore’s spot in the AFC North race could feel the impact
The Baltimore Ravens are running away with their game against the Tennessee Titans. However, a lopsided score isn’t the main story in Baltimore. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury just before halftime, and the team officially ruled him questionable to return.
Jackson stayed on the sideline coming out of the intermission. Backup quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley warmed up and took the reps under center, while the two-time MVP stood and watched.
So the immediate question becomes, what does that mean for Jackson and the Ravens? The truth is, we don’t know yet.
The play where Lamar Jackson appeared to hurt his ankle
Update: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Jackson is day-to-day with his ankle injury.
Most of the attention has centered on one play shortly before halftime. Jackson seemed to tweak the ankle there, and he didn’t return when the second half started. Nobody outside the building knows the severity, and the questionable designation leaves the door open in both directions.
To be fair to Baltimore, this could simply be a case of caution. The Titans entered the game 0-3, and they have looked nothing like a competitive NFL team. With a comfortable lead, the Ravens could easily hand the keys to Huntley. He’s a “Pro Bowl” quarterback, and he has the trust of the coaching staff as the backup. His job in this spot is simple: manage the lead and get Baltimore out of the game with a win.
Would a healthy Jackson still be playing?
Here’s the main issue with the “they’re just being careful” explanation. If Jackson were completely healthy, I believe he would be in the game.
When he went down, Baltimore held only a 24-7 lead. That’s a comfortable cushion, but the game wasn’t over, even against a winless Tennessee team. Teams don’t typically pull their franchise quarterback with a 17-point lead and an entire half left to play unless something is wrong.
On top of that, this didn’t come out of nowhere. Jackson’s practice status raised questions earlier in the week, and now he’s on the sideline with an ankle issue. That combination should worry anyone invested in Baltimore’s season.
What this means for the Ravens in the AFC North
The Ravens appear to be headed for a big win that could put them right alongside the Browns atop the AFC North. On paper, that’s a great afternoon for Baltimore.
The bottom line is that none of it matters much if Jackson isn’t right. If the Ravens don’t have Jackson, it’s going to be a rough season ahead. Even a version of Jackson playing at 50% or 75% on a bum ankle would put a serious cap on what this team can do.
We know the Ravens offense goes as Jackson goes. That offense only reaches its elite, optimal level when he can use his legs. Take away the scrambles, the designed runs, and the ability to extend plays, and Baltimore loses the thing that makes its attack so difficult to defend.
The way I see it, the final score against the Titans is an afterthought. The real story is what the Ravens say about Jackson’s ankle once this game ends, and whether that bum ankle lingers into the weeks ahead.
