Lamar Jackson hit the practice field for a third straight day on Friday, which is obviously an encouraging sign for Ravens fans, but don’t go clearing your Sunday schedule for a triumphant return just yet. After missing two games with that gnarly high ankle sprain from Week 4, his status for Sunday’s clash against the Bengals is still very much up in the air.
The “Right Direction” That’s Still A Fork in the Road
Head Coach Jesse Minter was straight up about it, saying Lamar has been getting work in, but the final call is gonna come down to Jackson himself, how he feels, and how effective he can actually be out there. Minter even admitted he wasn’t sure how Lamar would be listed on Friday’s injury report, and that the decision could absolutely go right down to game time. Jackson missed two full weeks of practice after the injury, so even with the recent work, there’s no guarantee. Lamar himself said he’s “headed in the right direction,” but even he added a cautious “we’ll see, hopefully.” You can practically feel the collective holding of breath in Baltimore.
Pain Tolerance Is The Real Story Here
It’s not about the swelling, folks. Lamar Jackson made it clear that the biggest factor for him playing this weekend isn’t the physical swelling in his ankle, because that’s apparently “gone down a lot.” The real hurdle? Pain tolerance. He needs to “move how I move” to be able to actually help his team. If he can’t cut, juke, and run like the Lamar we all know, what’s the point? It’s all about whether he can play his game, not just be on the field. That’s a huge gut check for any player, especially one whose magic relies so heavily on his mobility.
The Huntley Insurance Policy Is Ready
While everyone’s staring at Lamar’s ankle, Tyler Huntley has been quietly getting ready for his potential third straight start. Huntley stepped in against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4, helping Baltimore snag a win, and he’s started the last two: a win over the Falcons and a tough loss to the Browns. In those two starts, the dude has put up 336 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, all while completing 68% of his passes. He’s been solid. Huntley’s got that veteran mentality, too, saying he’ll “just prepare to play and then once we get to Sunday we’ll see.” It’s a pragmatic approach, but it underscores the uncertainty hanging over the Ravens’ QB room heading into a huge divisional game.
So, get ready for a Sunday morning decision, Baltimore. The Bengals are coming to town, and whether it’s Lamar or Huntley under center, the Ravens need to be ready for battle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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