Why Ravens’ Lamar Jackson isn’t playing vs. the Packers in Week 15

The Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson on Sunday.

Jackson suffered an injury in Week 14 and was carted off the field, but avoided the worst-case scenario in the prognosis that followed. Jackson would miss all of practice leading up to the matchup with the Packers, though there was a chance he could have played.

It’s not quite a must-win situation for the Ravens, but the 8-5 record means time is running out for Baltimore to secure a playoff spot. Baltimore has been ravaged by injuries in 2021, with Jackson the latest to miss a game due to injury.

Here’s why No. 8 is missing Sunday’s matchup:

Why isn’t Lamar Jackson playing vs. the Packers?

Jackson isn’t playing on Sunday as he recovers from an ankle injury.

The Ravens quarterback suffered the injury during the Ravens-Browns matchup in Week 14, and he was carted off the field. Initially, reports indicated — and the head coach confirmed — that Jackson was diagnosed with a low-ankle sprain. 

On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jackson was actually dealing with a bone bruise, not an ankle sprain.

Jackson hadn’t practiced all week, but on Friday, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said that there was a chance that Jackson would be able to play on Sunday. 

He was officially ruled out just a few hours to kickoff vs. the Packers in Baltimore. In his stead, Tyler Huntley will make the start, his second of the year.

Jackson hadn’t missed a game due to injury in his career prior to 2021, though Sunday’s game marks the second game he’ll miss in 2021. Earlier in the season, he missed a game due to an undisclosed illness. He missed a game in 2020 after contracting COVID-19.

Huntley is making his second start of the 2021 season. Backing him up is Josh Johnson, who was recently signed off the Jets practice squad.

Jackson was having something of a down season with the Ravens: Through 12 games, he’s throw 16 touchdowns to 13 interceptions for 2,882 yards. He also has 767 rushing yards with two touchdowns on the ground.