The Baltimore Ravens and Jesse Minter officially announced the most-expected news on Friday. Lamar Jackson will miss at least one more week, as he was ruled out for the Week 6 divisional showdown with the Cleveland Browns.
“[Jackson’s] injury is day by day,” Minter said. “It’s just a decision for his best interest, and that’s really what every decision is gonna be about.”
Jackson is still recovering from the ankle injury he suffered in Week 4. Since then, he has missed six straight practices.
Minter’s list of confirmed inactives also included Cam Jurgens (concussion) and Matt Hibner (hand). He noted others on the injury report could be ruled out, too, depending on how things work out.
Between Jackson, Jurgens, and Hibner, that’s three key contributors who won’t be available. The Ravens will once again have to play with a next-man-up mentality.
Baltimore Ravens need to replace Lamar Jackson and other key contributors on Sunday
Lamar Jackson’s replacement is simple. Tyler Huntley will once again step into the fray. He proved his worth last week with a comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons, and now, he’ll be asked to walk into Cleveland’s house and do it again.
Winning on the road can be extremely tough, especially when coming face-to-face with the Dawg Pound. However, with a 3-0 record in his last three starts, Huntley has proven clutch when called upon.
When asked about Huntley, Jesse Minter once again expressed confidence in the 28-year-old.
“[Huntley’s] a really good player, and he’s got a great demeanor, great poise, great respect amongst his teammates,” Minter said. “He’s cool, calm, collected, confident, and when he’s in there, that’s how the guys feel … To have that, that goes a long way, and we won’t bat an eye with Snoop being in there.”
There are truly no concerns about Huntley going in there and getting the job done. He may not be Lamar Jackson, but the team knows he’ll give them a good chance to win.
As for Cam Jurgens and Matt Hibner, Baltimore’s offensive line and tight end depth take a hit.
The Ravens have been rolling without Jurgens all season. Sure, after acquiring him, the hope was for him to make his team debut in Week 6, but the play at center has been extremely encouraging without him.
Even after losing all three centers, Vega Ioane has done a stupidly good job at center. He made the position switch with no questions asked, and is providing ultra-reliable play in the middle. Last week was arguably the best game of his young NFL career, and when you’re doing that at a position you’re not used to, the sky is the limit.
Baltimore shouldn’t have any concerns about Ioane starting at center in place of Jurgens one more time.
Hibner becomes an underrated loss. His production isn’t through the roof — 5 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown shouldn’t be something the team loses sleep over. Regardless, he threatens defenses vertically and also blocks well; that’s not an easy player to replace.
Fellow rookie tight end Josh Cuevas will likely take on Hibner’s workload. Like Hibner, Cuevas has flashed as a receiving option and blocker, although he’s yet to be trusted with 25 to 30 snaps like Hibner. Sunday should be his first real opportunity.
Ultimately, these losses shouldn’t throw the Ravens off course in Week 6. They managed without Jackson and Jurgens in Atlanta, and as long as other important pieces aren’t missing, they’ll have a strong shot at moving to 5-1 in Cleveland.
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