Ravens QB Lamar Jackson misses practice with an illness
By Justin Fried
Baltimore Ravens fans experienced quite the scare when it was reported that quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent from Friday’s practice for undisclosed reasons.
Head coach John Harbaugh spoke to the media following practice and revealed that Jackson was held out with an illness. However, Harbaugh did tell reporters that Jackson was expected to play in Sunday’s Week 11 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
The Pro Bowl quarterback has missed time due to illness in each of the last two seasons having missed games in 2020 after testing positive for COVID-19 and later missing a game a year ago following a different illness.
As always, Jackson’s situation is worth monitoring over the next 48 hours, but if Harbaugh’s words are to be believed, the Ravens should have their star quarterback on Sunday.
The Ravens can’t afford to lose Lamar Jackson
With Lamar Jackson absent on Friday, it was Tyler Huntley who took reps with the first-team offense. Huntley started four games in Jackson’s place last season and held his own, but the Ravens did notably go 1-3 over that stretch.
While Jackson isn’t quite playing a the MVP level he did a few years ago, few players are more valuable to their team than the former All-Pro is.
Jackson has rebounded nicely following a disappointing 2021 campaign and has thrown for 16 touchdowns and 1,768 yards while rushing for an additional 635 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in nine games.
The 25-year-old leads the NFL with an incredible 7.4 yards per carry, a mark that would tp his career high. And he’s done all of this while overcoming a lackluster, injury-riddled supporting cast.
Speaking of that supporting cast, the Ravens hope to have star tight end Mark Andrews back for Sunday’s game. Andrews is listed as questionable with shoulder and knee injuries but seems likely to play after he was a full participant on Sunday.
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The Ravens are hoping to have both of their superstars on the field in Week 11. Right now, that is exactly what’s expected to happen.