Jackson, Peters out for Ravens against Pittsburgh on Sunday night

peters
peters
- Advertisement -

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Facing the rival Pittsburgh Steelers in prime time for the first time since 2018, the Ravens will again be without star quarterback Lamar Jackson and starting cornerback Marcus Peters for Sunday Night Football.

Baltimore officially ruled out both after they didn’t practice all week. Jackson still hasn’t returned to the field since injuring his left knee in the Dec. 4 win over Denver while Peters has been out since hurting his calf in the loss at Cleveland two weeks ago. Tyler Huntley will make his fourth straight start in place of Jackson while second-year cornerback Brandon Stephens is expected to start for Peters for a second straight game.

Needing a backup quarterback behind Huntley for Sunday night, the Ravens must either promote rookie Anthony Brown from the practice squad to the 53-man roster — he’s already been elevated the maximum three times — or elevate veteran Brett Hundley from the practice squad by 4 p.m. on Saturday. Baltimore has an open spot on the 53-man roster after waiving defensive tackle Isaiah Mack on Monday.

Though the Ravens have already clinched a playoff berth, concerns about Jackson’s postseason status will only grow if he isn’t able to at least begin practicing next week after missing a month of action. A win over the Steelers would guarantee the Ravens a chance to play for the AFC North championship against first-place Cincinnati next weekend, but a loss coupled with a Bengals win over Buffalo on Monday would eliminate Baltimore from the division race before Week 18.

In more encouraging news for the Ravens, defensive end Calais Campbell (knee) was designated as questionable for Sunday night after returning to practice on a limited basis on Friday. Campbell wasn’t on the field at the conclusion of the workout, but the 36-year-old logging his first practice time since injuring his knee against the Browns in Week 15 was an encouraging sign with the postseason nearing.

“All three of these guys are working super hard,” said head coach John Harbaugh about Campbell, Jackson, and Peters. “I would say they’re on schedule. It’s hard to say what schedule means exactly with injuries because it’s nature, but all three of those guys are doing a great job.”

The Ravens also listed reserve safety Geno Stone (hamstring) and tight end Nick Boyle (illness) as questionable to play against Pittsburgh. Stone returned to practice on a limited basis Friday while Boyle was absent on Thursday and Friday.

The Steelers listed two defensive starters — inside linebacker Myles Jack (groin) and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (toe) — as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Below is the full injury report for Week 17:

BALTIMORE
OUT: QB Lamar Jackson (knee), CB Marcus Peters (calf)
QUESTIONABLE: TE Nick Boyle (illness), DE Calais Campbell (knee), S Geno Stone (hamstring)

PITTSBURGH
OUT: S Tre Norwood (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: ILB Myles Jack (groin), DL Larry Ogunjobi (toe)

- Advertisement -