OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Eyeing their fifth straight victory when the Los Angeles Chargers come to Baltimore this weekend, the Ravens practiced without their star quarterback on Thursday afternoon.
Lamar Jackson was absent with what was listed as an illness on the official injury report, marking the third time in the last four weeks he’s missed a Thursday workout. Jackson dealt with a stomach bug just a few days before the Week 3 win at Detroit and sat out two days with a back injury before the Week 4 victory over Denver. Of course, the missed practice time hasn’t hindered his performance through the air as the 2019 NFL MVP is in the midst of arguably the best passing stretch of his career with over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns over the last three games.
Jackson wasn’t the only new absence on the injury report as offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva sat out after being listed as a limited participant for Wednesday’s walk-through. The 33-year-old missed two days of practice with left knee soreness last week before playing all 73 snaps in Monday’s overtime win over Indianapolis.
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring) and left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) remained out with Watkins looking more and more likely to join Stanley on the sideline for this Sunday’s game. That may pave the way for rookie first-round wide receiver Rashod Bateman to be reinstated to the 53-man roster after beginning the season on injured reserve recovering from groin surgery in August.
“I’m very excited for Bateman,” wide receiver Marquise Brown said. “I’m really excited to see what he’s going to do, and I’m very excited to see when Sammy comes back what all of us are going to do together.”
Meanwhile, the Chargers are dealing with their own injury concerns with top inside linebacker Drue Tranquill appearing unlikely to play after sustaining a pectoral injury in the Week 5 win over Cleveland. Starting wide receiver Mike Williams also missed a second straight practice with a knee issue, making his Friday practice status worth monitoring.
Los Angeles safety Nasir Adderley (hip) also sat out Thursday after being listed as a limited participant the day before.
8
Below is Thursday’s injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: QB Lamar Jackson (illness), OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle), OT Alejandro Villanueva (knee), WR Sammy Watkins (thigh), DT Brandon Williams (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S DeShon Elliott (quad), S Geno Stone (thigh)
LOS ANGELES
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: S Nasir Adderley (hip), LB Drue Tranquill (chest), WR Mike Williams (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: RB Justin Jackson (groin)
