The Baltimore Ravens are entering their Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams without quarterback Lamar Jackson for another game. Jackson was officially ruled out for Sunday after missing a full week of practice due to his hamstring injury. The 28-year-old will get a three-week recovery with the team’s bye next week, which should put him in line to return in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears.
In Jackson’s absence, Cooper Rush will get another shot after a subpar performance in Baltimore’s Week 5 beatdown loss to the Houston Texans. Rush provided strong backup play over the past few years with the Dallas Cowboys, so there is reason to believe he can lead a competent offense with another week of adjustments.
Still, after the offense put up just 10 points last week, which was their lowest scoring output since their 2023 AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, it is clear it will be an uphill climb to get the team’s season back on the right track. They will be going toe-to-toe with one of the top offenses in football, and if history is telling at all, Baltimore will struggle without Jackson.
In games without Jackson starting, the Ravens are 4-11. In each of those four wins, the defense has given up 14 points or less. This year, the defense is giving up an average of 35.4 points per game, a league worst.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 10, 2025
Baltimore is 4-11 without Jackson.
Cooper Rush will make his second start for the Ravens.
Ravens’ record without Lamar Jackson paints grim outlook for Week 6
At 1-4, Week 6 is a must-win for Baltimore. Their recent roster moves signal that they still have hope of being competitive in 2025, but another loss would put them at a significant disadvantage. They are already falling far behind in the AFC playoff picture and could quickly fall three games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North on Sunday. However, it is still early in the year.
Most of the Ravens’ AFC North matchups come late on their schedule. Of their final eight games, five of them are against AFC North foes and seven are against AFC teams. Regardless, a potential record of 1-5 heading into their bye week would be detrimental to the outlook for their season.
Rush can still get it done, but much of the success on Sunday from an offensive perspective lies on Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s shoulders. No matter the team, it is difficult to win with your backup quarterback, and offensive coordinators need to outsmart opposing defenses if they want any chance at winning. Monken did not do that last week, and that must chance against the Rams.
There is still plenty of talent on Baltimore’s offense in the likes of Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers, so if they can slow the game down, get the ball to their playmakers, and protect the football, the offense can put together a strong showing.
The defense still needs to hold up its end of the bargain, though, and with star defensive backs Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey returning, they could find themselves in a better place on Sunday. The additions of Alohi Gilman and C.J. Gardner-Johnson could help reform the secondary, but much of the concern still surrounds the pass rush. They will have to finally find some success against Los Angeles’s offensive line if they want to avoid free-falling.