Injured star quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss his second straight game, but the Ravens will have top backup Tyler Huntley on the field for Saturday’s tilt in Cleveland.
Huntley has cleared concussion protocol and wasn’t given a game status designation on the final injury report, meaning he’s expected to make his second straight start. Jackson hasn’t practiced since injuring his left knee in the first quarter of the Dec. 4 win over Denver and was ruled out for Week 15 on Thursday afternoon.
Despite exiting in the third quarter of last Sunday’s win at Pittsburgh, Huntley was able to take part in all workouts this week and was upgraded to full participation on Wednesday and Thursday, a clear sign that he was on track to be able to play against the Browns. Huntley’s uncertain status at the start of the week didn’t appear to have much of an impact on the offensive preparation for Saturday’s game either.
“As he goes through the protocol, we’re allowed to do certain things,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Wednesday. “I’m not a doctor — I only play one on TV — but ‘Snoop’ seems really good to me. He seemed great after the game, and once he clears that protocol, I think [it’s] all systems go. Then, we’ll just kind of make some decisions after that. It really doesn’t affect you that much because he’s in good shape.”
Following Thursday’s practice, Huntley told reporters he didn’t experience any concussion symptoms and deemed himself “safe enough to play this week” after being cleared from the protocol.
In 100 snaps over the last two games, Huntley has gone 35-for-44 for 275 yards and an interception while rushing for 72 yards on 19 carries. He is once again expected to be backed up by undrafted rookie Anthony Brown, who remains on the practice squad.
Baltimore officially designated right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee), right tackle Morgan Moses (knee), and punter Jordan Stout (right knee) as questionable for Saturday’s game, but all three were estimated as full participants for Thursday’s walk-through after being limited participants in Wednesday’s outdoor practice.
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Zeitler sat out last Sunday’s win over the Steelers, which was only the second game he’s missed in the last eight seasons. Special teams coordinator Chris Horton said his rookie punter’s sore knee was “not at all” a concern ahead of Saturday’s game.
Meanwhile, the Browns are also in good shape from a health standpoint with rookie wide receiver David Bell (thumb/toe) being the only player on Cleveland’s 53-man roster carrying a game status designation for Saturday.
Below is the final injury report for Week 15:
BALTIMORE
OUT: QB Lamar Jackson (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: OT Morgan Moses (knee), P Jordan Stout (right knee), G Kevin Zeitler (knee)
CLEVELAND
QUESTIONABLE: WR David Bell (thumb/toe)
