OWINGS MILLS, Md. — What was anticipated throughout the week became close to official Friday with the Ravens listing star quarterback Lamar Jackson as doubtful to play in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Recovering from the left knee injury sustained against Denver last Sunday, Jackson sat out the entire practice week as head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged “it looks like” backup Tyler Huntley will start against the Steelers. It’s been years since a Baltimore player designated as doubtful on the final injury report still managed to play in that week’s game, all but guaranteeing that the former NFL MVP will miss a game against the Steelers for the fourth straight season.
With Jackson having missed the final four games of the 2021 season with a right ankle injury, Huntley started the Week 18 loss to the Steelers last January, meaning he’s well aware of the magnitude of Sunday’s game.
“It means a lot for both sides because it’s divisional play,” Huntley said. “It’s a big game, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Though Baltimore will be without its franchise quarterback, former All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley is expected to return to action after missing the last two games with a left ankle injury. Stanley received a rest day on Friday, but he is not carrying a game status injury designation, meaning he’s good to go against the Steelers barring an unforeseen setback. Top reserve Patrick Mekari had started the last two games at left tackle, but he is officially questionable after sustaining a toe injury in last Sunday’s win over the Broncos.
Despite being carted off the field in the fourth quarter of the Denver game, inside linebacker Patrick Queen (thigh) was designated as questionable for Week 14 after being upgraded to full participation in Friday’s practice, a good sign for his availability. Right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee) was also officially questionable after returning to practice on a limited basis on Friday.
The Ravens ruled out veteran cornerback Daryl Worley with a hamstring injury.
Baltimore has until 4 p.m. Saturday to decide whether running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) or safety Marcus Williams (wrist) will be activated from injured reserve to play against the Steelers. Williams has now been practicing for three weeks while Dobbins has been taking part in workouts for two weeks, but Harbaugh declined to address the latter’s chances to play in Sunday’s game.
“I’m just not going to get into all of that,” Harbaugh said. “They all practiced. You can see that they practiced or didn’t practice or were limited. That will kind of tell you what you need to know I would think.”
Dobbins and Williams are not included on the injury report since they aren’t currently on the 53-man roster.
The most notable injury concerns for Pittsburgh are four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker T.J. Watt (ribs) and top wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hip), who are both questionable after being limited in practices this week. On Friday, both expressed optimism about playing against the Ravens, but some unknown remains until Sunday morning.
Below is the final injury report for Week 14:
BALTIMORE
OUT: CB Daryl Worley (hamstring)
DOUBTFUL: QB Lamar Jackson (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: OL Patrick Mekari (toe), OLB Del’Shawn Phillips (quad), ILB Patrick Queen (thigh), ILB Kristian Welch (concussion), G Kevin Zeitler (knee)
PITTSBURGH
QUESTIONABLE: WR Diontae Johnson (hip), OLB Malik Reed (back), OLB T.J. Watt (ribs)
