There is no doubt that the Ravens need quarterback Lamar Jackson. There is a lot of uncertainty as to when he will be able to play.
With it, they are 3-1. Without him, they are 1-2. With losses to the Browns and Bengals in the last eight days, the Ravens have started 0-2 in the AFC North for the first time since 2007.
Jackson made it clear Friday that he is dealing with a sprained ankle suffered in Week 4 against the Titans. He said at the time, regarding the possibility of playing Sunday against Cincinnati, “Right now, I’m going in the right direction.”
A day later, the Ravens demoted Jackson from questionable to out.
With a Sunday trip to Buffalo followed by a short weekly visit from the Jaguars, Jackson’s return becomes critical. In Jackson’s absence, Baltimore’s 4-3 record could drop to 4-5 by next Friday.
So the question of the week in Baltimore becomes whether Jackson will play against Josh Allen and the Bills. As mentioned on Sunday Night Football in America, there is no word inside the building if he will be able to return on Sunday – and any attempt to predict when he will be able to play is a guess.
Jackson made it clear during his press conference Friday that it’s a matter of pain tolerance and that the sprained ankle is keeping him from being as mobile as he should be. This is no surprise. An ankle sprain takes longer to heal than other types of sprains. He explained that he does not want to play if it would harm the team.
The challenge this week for the Ravens will be getting the potential starter ready for the game. If Jackson is listed as a “full” participant on Wednesday, Thursday and/or Friday, that means he got 100 percent of his normal first-team reps. Which also means that, if he doesn’t play, backup Tyler Huntley won’t get first-team reps in preparation for Buffalo.
With or without Jackson, the next two games become critical for Baltimore’s season. Win both, and they are well on their way to achieving their goal. Lose both, and it could be another season without a ticket to the postseason party.
The odds of going 2-0, rather than 0-2, will be much greater if Jackson is able to play. It’s something we’ll find out as the current week unfolds.
