Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is on the team’s injury report for the third straight week after not finishing practice today, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. This is not a continuation of any previous injuries and his status for the weekend is still far from determined.
Two weeks ago, Jackson sat out of a practice due to illness and followed that up with a missed practice last week because of a hip injury. The former MVP was sidelined today with a quadriceps issue that caused him to seek treatment from a trainer and miss his usual media session.
Although many have assumed Jackson’s running tendencies would lead to an increase in injuries, he has been remarkably durable. Over five years in the league, Jackson has only missed four games over a four-week stretch last year as he dealt with an ankle injury. His continuous ability to play despite being banged up is an encouraging sign for Baltimore.
The team will want their most valuable player as they prepare to face one of the league’s more stout defenses from Denver this week. If Jackson is unavailable, the Ravens will turn to Tyler Huntley, who went 1-3 as a starter in the four games Jackson had to miss last season.
Here are a few more injury rumors from around the NFL, starting with a couple of bumps and bruises on the Chargers offensive line:
- Los Angeles could be down two offensive linemen this week as they head to Las Vegas for a divisional battle, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Starting center Corey Linsley is in the league’s concussion protocol and may not be available in time to return. Trey Pipkins, who has performed as the Chargers’ starting right tackle this season, reportedly aggravated an MCL injury in his left knee. If neither player can go this weekend, Will Clapp is expected to fill in for Linsley at center and two others will contend for the open tackle position. Storm Norton is the team’s primary backup tackle, but the Chargers have given former practice squad tackle Foster Sarell an opportunity to start this season, as well.
- The Seahawks have officially shut down outside linebacker Darryl Johnson after the fourth-year defender underwent foot surgery, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. He’s been on injured reserve since suffering a foot injury in Week 4. Johnson had earned the first start of his career in the game that saw his season come to an end. Seattle has used a combination of Darrell Taylor and veteran Bruce Irvin since Johnson went down.
Running backs often make it through four or five seasons before the wear and tear and injuries start to take their toll. A 1000+ yards rushing per season, Jackson is effectively living a RB’s wear and tear. Baltimore has done well on Jackson, a couple of seasons on franchise tag and then accept the comp pick. Sure, Baltimore will miss out on a season or two of good play but dodging that $400 million contract and picking up a third round pick will save the franchise.
Non-exclusive franchise tag for the second franchise tag would make sense. Pick up two first round draft picks from the sucker team who decides to bet their franchise on an ageing running QB (will Denver still be looking for a QB in 2025 – why not, Russell Wilson’s contract will just be running out).
Denver should take at Jackson at him if he doesn’t sign.
I know people think “what about all that money?!” Let people’s heads inflate for a month.
Who cares? Burn the money, get ticket sales. The Broncos are losing the same if not more in stadium/merchandising prowess.
Honestly, who the hell are they going to sign next year? Only Antonio Brown would play for them. People know that working in Denver right now is a beating.
This isn’t the Walton’s primary investment. In a boardroom vote they could fire everybody and hire whoever’s available.
Signing money doesn’t matter, a culture of winning matters and that’s the bigger money picture.
The big question there is do they want to give Russell another year or do they think he’s Baker Mayfield? And right now I’d say that’s an under figure.
If they think he’s done, get this storyline in the trash immediately, new coach and Jimmy G on up until you have picks.
I’m starting to think Russell Wilson is a golfer, not a quarterback.