Can the Ravens save their season? (1:46)The “Get Up” crew discusses the Ravens’ “must-win” game against the Bears to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. (1:46)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In a surprise development, quarterback Lamar Jackson was a full participant in Friday’s practice, giving the struggling Baltimore Ravens some hope that the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player will return for Sunday’s pivotal game against the Chicago Bears.
Jackson is expected to be listed as questionable on the injury report with a right hamstring injury. Harbaugh wouldn’t elaborate on Jackson’s status and wouldn’t describe how Jackson looked at practice.
Jackson was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury that had sidelined him for the past two games. He was taking reps behind backup quarterbacks Tyler Huntley and Cooper Rush, which suggested he might not be ready to play this week.
Now, after his most extensive work since injuring his hamstring 26 days ago, there’s a chance that Jackson could be back at a time when the Ravens need him the most. Baltimore has lost four straight games to fall to 1-5, which ties the worst start in franchise’s 30-year history.
“He’s such an incredible player and leader of the team,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “It would be an incredibly big spark.”
If Jackson is unable to play, Harbaugh said Huntley would start against the Bears. Huntley would get the nod over Rush, who flopped in two starts with no touchdown passes and five turnovers.
In his five seasons with Baltimore, Huntley is 3-7, including the playoffs, as a fill-in starter for Jackson, throwing seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Asked if he was preparing to start Sunday, Huntley said, “I always prepare to start. I’m treating this like every week.”
The Ravens are a different team with Jackson’s big-play ability. Since 2018, Baltimore is 74-32 (.698), including playoffs, with Jackson as its starting quarterback. Without Jackson over that span, the Ravens are 4-12 (.250), losing six straight times.
This season, Baltimore has averaged 32.8 points in Jackson’s four starts. In two games without him, the Ravens have averaged 6.5 points.
On Friday, Jackson practiced fully, which became the strongest indication that he would play Sunday. Before he was injured, Jackson led the NFL with a 130.5 passer rating, throwing 10 touchdowns and one interception.
Can the Ravens save their season? (1:46)The “Get Up” crew discusses the Ravens’ “must-win” game against the Bears to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. (1:46)
The “Get Up” crew discusses the Ravens’ “must-win” game against the Bears to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. (1:46)
Ravens coach John Harbaugh declined to say whether Jackson would start Sunday.
Jackson was not made available to reporters on Friday.
In his eight-year career, Jackson is 2-0 in his first game back after being sidelined.