Lamar Jackson Out for Third Straight Game, Huntley to Start for Ravens

Baltimore’s offense faces another test as star quarterback remains sidelined.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss his third straight game, still hobbled by that stubborn hamstring injury, the team confirmed. Just when fans thought there might be a light at the end of the tunnel—Jackson was a full participant in Friday’s practice—he was later downgraded to limited. Now, his absence for Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bears is about as certain as crab cakes in Baltimore, a situation that has reignited debate over whether the Ravens should stick with Lamar Jackson in high-stakes moments once he’s cleared to return.

There’s a glimmer of hope that Jackson could return for Thursday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins, but let’s not count our chickens before they hatch—his status for that contest is still up in the air. That uncertainty looms large as Baltimore approaches a pivotal stretch that includes another chapter in the Harbaugh–Tomlin rivalry reaching its 40th meeting later on the schedule.

With Jackson sidelined, Tyler Huntley will once again step into the spotlight for Baltimore. Huntley has started multiple games for the Ravens in previous seasons, and while some reports might have you believing he’s already faced the Dolphins, that’s just a tall tale—he hasn’t. Now, he’ll be tasked with steering an offense that’s been searching for its rhythm without its star quarterback.

Since 2018, the Ravens are a sparkling 74-32 with Jackson at the helm, but just 4-12 without him. This season tells an even starker story: Baltimore averages a whopping 32.8 points per game when Jackson plays, but only 6.5 points when he’s out. That’s like going from a feast to a famine overnight.

After word got out about Jackson’s continued absence, the Ravens’ current Ravens-Bears odds took a tumble—from a comfortable 6.5-point favorite to a nail-biting 1.5-point edge over the Bears. That swing mirrors the volatility seen in the Ravens favored versus Steelers showdown, where expert opinion has also been sharply divided.

The Ravens are fighting tooth and nail to keep their playoff hopes alive as Huntley and the rest of the squad take the field. That pressure only increases as AFC rivals regain key pieces, including the Joe Burrow Thursday night return, which strengthens Cincinnati’s position in the playoff race. Baltimore fans, meanwhile, are holding their collective breath, eagerly awaiting insider info on Ravens and Jackson’s return.