OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The silver lining from the Ravens’ Thanksgiving loss to Cincinnati was supposed to be Lamar Jackson looking more mobile in Week 13 and then being afforded extra rest after a Thursday game to get as healthy as possible for the stretch run.
That appeared to be going to plan Wednesday with the two-time MVP quarterback taking part in the first practice of the week for the first time in nearly a month. However, his limited participation due to an ankle injury and tempered post-practice comments from head coach John Harbaugh preceded Jackson sitting out Thursday’s practice entirely, which prompted new concerns about his health three days before a critical AFC North showdown with Pittsburgh.
A player going from limited participation to not practicing at all often signals a physical concern popping up during practice, but Harbaugh wasn’t available to speak to reporters following Thursday’s practice. Jackson was originally scheduled to talk to the media after Wednesday’s practice, but that session was postponed due to him receiving treatment, per a team official. Since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for three games in October, Jackson has had knee, ankle, and toe ailments listed on the injury report, but those previously only required a single missed practice to open the week before full participation on the final two days and no game status designation on the final injury report.
For what it’s worth, offensive coordinator Todd Monken said after Thursday’s practice that he “would expect” Jackson to play against the Steelers on Sunday. Health is the obvious week-to-week concern with five games remaining in the regular season, but Jackson is also coming off arguably his worst three-week performance since his rookie season, which begs the question about the effect of missed practice time on a weekly basis.
“I just give him a lot of credit. He’s battling each week trying to get healthy enough to be able to play every Sunday. That’s what I see out of him.” said Monken, who wouldn’t attempt to gauge how much missed practices might be hindering his play. “I see a guy that’s battling little nagging injuries — things that are stopping him from being able to get out there every day and practice. Again, that’s what I see. I see a guy battling.”
Even if Jackson practices Friday and plays against the Steelers without any further injury report angst, this week makes it apparent that the mini-bye following a Thursday game didn’t prove to be the elixir for his health that many hoped it could be for the remainder of the season. That’s a sobering reality with Baltimore needing to navigate a challenging slate of games over the final month just to qualify for the postseason.
Defensive tackle Travis Jones also sat out Thursday’s practice due to a personal matter. Wide receivers Rashod Bateman (ankle) and Devontez Walker (groin) were listed as limited participants a day after practicing fully, which is another potential development to monitor on Friday.
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Meanwhile, the Steelers upgraded quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) and outside linebacker T.J. Watt (toe) to full participation on Thursday. Inside linebacker and ex-Raven Patrick Queen returned to practice (glute) on a limited basis, but cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was a new addition to the injury report as a limited participant because of an elbow issue.
Below is Thursday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: QB Lamar Jackson (ankle), DT Travis Jones (personal)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Rashod Bateman (ankle), OLB Tavius Robinson (foot), WR Devontez Walker (groin), S Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles), CB Nate Wiggins (foot)
PITTSBURGH
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: OL Calvin Anderson (knee), S Kyle Dugger (hand), DT Derrick Harmon (knee), CB Donte Kent (ankle/knee), S Jalen Ramsey (rest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Joey Porter Jr. (elbow), LB Patrick Queen (glute), WR Ben Skowronek (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR DK Metcalf (rest), CB James Pierre (concussion), QB Aaron Rodgers (left wrist), LB T.J. Watt (toe),
