For the second consecutive week, Lamar Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP, did not practice with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. This absence raises concerns as Jackson continues to navigate a challenging season marked by physical setbacks.
Injury Impact and Team Update
Jackson’s latest injury comes after he missed practice last week due to knee soreness. He returned the following days, leading the Ravens to a 23-16 victory against the Cleveland Browns. When asked if this week’s absence mirrored last week’s situation, Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed, “Yeah, same type of situation.” He refrained from elaborating further, stating, “I know it’s Lamar, it’s our quarterback. I understand how important it is, and it wasn’t in his best interest to practice today. And we’ll see where we’re at.”
This season has proven challenging for Jackson, who has been sacked an average of 3.2 times per game, the highest rate in his eight-year career. In the recent game against the Browns, he faced a staggering five sacks, with four attributed to star defender Myles Garrett. Jackson has also struggled with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for three games earlier this season, contributing to a total of eight missed practices.
Performance Challenges
Jackson is currently in a two-game slump, having completed just 57.4% of his passes for an average of 184.5 yards. In last Sunday’s game, he did not throw any touchdown passes, recording two interceptions and achieving a passer rating of 47.6, which is among the lowest of his career. Despite these struggles, Harbaugh emphasized the importance of winning: “Lamar is winning games. Finding ways to win the game — that’s what counts; that’s what matters. I think Lamar did a great job in both of those games of playing that kind of winning football.”
As the Ravens prepare for their upcoming match, Jackson’s health will be critical to their success. His ability to return to practice and perform effectively will be closely monitored by both fans and analysts alike. The Ravens remain hopeful that their star quarterback can recover quickly and lead the team in the next challenge ahead.