OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A lingering illness again sidelined Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson two days after he took part in his first full-squad practice of training camp.
The two-time NFL MVP was absent Friday with an unspecified condition that began affecting him last Saturday. The team announced at the start of Friday’s workout that Jackson “continues to undergo further evaluation and receive care from our medical team.”
“He’s fighting through an illness, working with our doctors, doing all the tests — even more tests to make sure we have everything covered,” head coach John Harbaugh said following practice. “I’m confident that he’ll be back pretty soon. It’s just an unpredictable deal. You guys have been sick before and sometimes it’s not easy, so that’s what we’re dealing with.”
The 27-year-old had seemingly recovered by Wednesday when he took the field with the other quarterbacks after missing the first three days of full-team practice. However, he saw only limited work, completing just one pass and throwing an interception in a handful of full-team reps before leaving the field with members of the training staff roughly an hour into the practice.
Multiple observers noted that Jackson looked to be less than 100% as he was leaving the field.
“He just wasn’t feeling up to it in terms of all the different things,” Harbaugh said. “You have hydration. There’s an energy level thing. It’s a part of being sick really.”
It’s no secret that Jackson has occasionally missed practice time over the years because of undisclosed illnesses as well as two bouts of COVID-19. The first COVID-19 infection cost him a game during the 2020 season while the second sidelined him for the open of training camp in 2021. Jackson also missed a game during the 2021 regular season because of an unspecified illness he wasn’t able to shake over the course of the week.
8
Football-related concern is minimal over Jackson missing practices in late July since the start of the 2024 season is still roughly six weeks away, but the Ravens certainly want to make sure their star player is right physically before he returns to action. In the meantime, the first-team reps have gone to the 38-year-old Josh Johnson, who became the No. 2 quarterback with the free-agent departure of Tyler Huntley this offseason.
“He’s done a really good job. I think he’s got a great grasp of the offense,” said Harbaugh about Johnson, who’s made just two NFL starts since the conclusion of 2018 and nine career starts overall. “He handles it well, he operates it well, [and] he makes all the decisions. He’s throwing the ball well [and] playing good football. That’s why he’s here. You think about the big picture and the long run, there’s a real benefit of him getting a lot of reps.”
Of course, Jackson’s health is paramount to the Ravens’ big-picture outlook in 2024.
Practice attendance
In addition to Jackson, the Ravens practiced without veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who is dealing with a minor neck injury after taking part in the first four open practices of camp.
“He had a little issue, a little neck thing he’s dealing with,” Harbaugh said. “Nothing serious. We just held him out for that.”
Also missing were defensive back Christian Matthew, inside linebacker Yvandy Rigby, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (hamstring), cornerback T.J. Tampa (sports hernia surgery), and running back Keaton Mitchell (left knee). Isaac remains on the non-football injury list while Tampa and Mitchell are on the physically unable to perform list.
