OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Head coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Lamar Jackson is “day to day” and remains an option to play against Green Bay, but evidence is beginning to mount against the star quarterback’s chances.
Not only did Jackson miss Wednesday’s practice as he continues to recover from the sprained right ankle that knocked him out of the Week 14 loss at Cleveland, but Baltimore signed journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson to the 53-man roster from the New York Jets’ practice squad. As expected, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley took the starter reps during Wednesday’s workout and would be in line to make his second NFL start if Jackson can’t go.
“Him getting the reps today, if he has to play on Sunday, will be a benefit,” said Harbaugh about Huntley. “We’ll see where it goes from there. He may play [or] he may not be playing depending on Lamar’s situation.”
The 35-year-old Johnson is now entering his second stint with the Ravens after spending the spring and summer of 2016 with the organization as then-starter Joe Flacco worked his way back to full strength from a torn ACL suffered the previous season. Many thought Johnson outplayed Ryan Mallett for the No. 2 quarterback job that summer, but the Ravens ultimately elected to keep the latter as Flacco’s backup.
Given how tight the Ravens have been against the salary cap all season, it’s fair to wonder if general manager Eric DeCosta would make such a roster addition if there was great confidence in Jackson’s availability for Sunday’s game. Johnson has spent time with nearly half of the teams in the NFL since entering the league in 2008 despite making only eight career starts, the last three coming with Washington in 2018.
Johnson appeared in three games for the Jets earlier this season, completing 29 of 45 passes for 334 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Even in his mid-30s, Johnson’s mobility makes him a logical fit for Greg Roman’s offensive system.
“He’s played in this league for a long time, and he’s very reliable. It was great having him here in 2016,” Harbaugh said. “He’s one of the best guys to be around and you want to be around. Whenever he’s played, he’s played well. I think all things considered, the potential to need him this week, the potential for the rest of the season with all the things you’re alluding to [with increased COVID-19 concerns], it just makes sense to bring him in.”
With Jackson unlikely to be 100% even if he does play against the Packers, many have wondered if the Ravens might be better off resting their franchise quarterback with eyes toward next week’s critical AFC North showdown with Cincinnati. However, Harbaugh said that thinking “factors in 0%” with the 8-5 Ravens trying to win on Sunday to snap a two-game losing streak and maintain their lead in the division.
Of course, confidence in Huntley has grown with the second-year quarterback throwing for 270 yards and his first NFL touchdown to nearly bring the Ravens back from a 21-point deficit against the Browns last Sunday.
“For a lot of people, a lot of question marks go up in the air of if this offense can still run without [Jackson],” said rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who caught seven passes for a season-high 103 yards against Cleveland. “I think [No.] 2 comes in and proves to us that we’re not just a one-man show. We’re a team, and we can still operate at a high level. So, I’m very impressed with him and his confidence thus far.”
Speaking of quarterbacks, the Ravens are tasked with preparing to face the great Aaron Rodgers, who continues to play at an extremely high level despite a fractured pinkie toe. The 38-year-old quarterback sat out Wednesday’s workout, but Baltimore edge rusher Justin Houston said there’s no signs of the injury limiting Rodgers during games.
As for a Ravens secondary that won’t have the likes of former Pro Bowl selections Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters to try to slow down the Green Bay passing attack, cornerbacks Chris Westry (knee) and Tavon Young (non-injury) were rested on Wednesday. Just 11 months removed from signing a reserve-future deal with Baltimore, Westry is expected to make his third career start on Sunday and couldn’t have anticipated several months ago that he’d be going up against one of the all-time greats in a key December game.
“This is the NFL. This is the highest level of it all, so everything has the attention to detail to it,” Westry said. “I would say it’s more amplified that it is Aaron Rodgers because of how great he is, and that’s pretty much it. Everything is more amplified when you’re playing the great ones.”
On Wednesday, the Ravens also practiced without defensive end Calais Campbell (thigh), fullback Patrick Ricard (back/knee), and three key offensive linemen: left tackle Alejandro Villanueva (knee), left guard Ben Powers (foot), and swing tackle Tyre Phillips (illness).
In more encouraging news, starting right tackle Patrick Mekari (hand), tight end Nick Boyle (knee), and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (knee) all practiced on a limited basis. Mekari and Boyle sat out against Cleveland while Watkins left the game early due to knee soreness.
After placing practice-squad wide receiver Binjimen Victor and reserve center Trystan Colon on reserve-COVID-19 lists earlier this week, the Ravens didn’t have any additional positive tests on Wednesday. Teams around the league have placed 96 players — all but two testing positive for the virus — on the COVID-19 lists over the last three days.
“We’re following all the COVID protocols that the NFL has put forth 100% — I’d say 120%,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve been extra cautious. We separate guys whenever we think there’s any possibility of anything. You just do the best you can. We’ve been through it before. We understand how challenging it is. We’re trying our best, and that’s where we’re at.”
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DE Calais Campbell (thigh), OLB Justin Houston (non-injury), QB Lamar Jackson (ankle), OL Tyre Phillips (illness), OL Ben Powers (foot), FB Patrick Ricard (back/knee), OT Alejandro Villanueva (knee), WR Tylan Wallace (concussion), CB Chris Westry (knee), CB Tavon Young (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Nick Boyle (knee), OL Patrick Mekari (hand), WR Sammy Watkins (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Miles Boykin (finger)
GREEN BAY
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Dominique Dafney (ankle), QB Aaron Rodgers (toe), WR Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion), OL Billy Turner (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: OT David Bakhtiari (knee), RB Aaron Jones (knee), WR Malik Taylor (abdomen), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back)
FULL PARTICIPATION: P Corey Bojorquez (left knee)
