OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Holding out hope that Lamar Jackson would be ready for the postseason, the Ravens again practiced without their star quarterback Wednesday as preparations ramped up for their wild-card clash with Cincinnati.
Thirty-eight days after suffering a sprained PCL in his left knee in the Week 13 win over Denver, Jackson remained sidelined with little optimism that another day or two will make the difference in his ability to suit up and play against the Bengals with so little time to show he can move around effectively and get ready to play in what would be his first game in six weeks. To no surprise, head coach John Harbaugh wouldn’t comment on Jackson’s status for Sunday night, but he left open the general possibility of him competing at less than 100%, which is hardly a revelation or reason for real hope in a sport known for its brutality and attrition by season’s end.
“As long as he’s safe and healthy and can play, it’s for any player,” Harbaugh said. “Any player goes out there, and if he’s healthy and safe and he’s not going to do any damage to an injury, any player plays and does what he can to the level that he can in that situation.”
Thursday will mark the 10-year anniversary of the “Mile High Miracle” and the last time Baltimore advanced beyond the divisional round of the playoffs, but Jackson’s expected absence — which would be his sixth missed game in a row — diminishes hopes of the Ravens making a deep playoff run as their offense has scored 17 or fewer points in each of the last six games. Though a stout defense will aim to slow Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense for a second straight week and third time this season, the Ravens have never found themselves in such an unenviable postseason position in likely being without their best player.
Making matters worse, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley remained limited during Wednesday’s practice and didn’t do any throwing during the open portion of practice as he continues to deal with right shoulder tendinitis. Knowing Huntley might be needed to start in the opening round, the Ravens rested him and started undrafted rookie quarterback Anthony Brown in last Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Bengals. Harbaugh did offer a positive update on Huntley after Wednesday’s practice.
“He’s doing a lot better. He was out there at practice today and took a bunch of plays,” Harbaugh said. “He had a good day today. I would say he’s on schedule hopefully, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Quarterback wasn’t the only position where the Ravens are dealing with health concerns as running back Gus Edwards is still in the concussion protocol and cornerback Brandon Stephens remained absent after being hospitalized with an undisclosed illness over the weekend. It’s unknown whether Stephens will be an option to play on Sunday, but the issue was concerning enough that his parents were summoned to be with him in Cincinnati on Sunday.
Stephens has returned to Baltimore and is feeling better and “in good spirits,” according to a team statement released Wednesday morning.
“You knew he was OK,” said Harbaugh, who left it up to Stephens to potentially reveal specifics at a later time. “I don’t think anybody had a real scare in terms of anything really bad happening, but it was surprising because he was ready to play and then all of the sudden that popped up in the morning.”
Starting cornerbacks Marcus Peters (calf) and Marlon Humphrey (shoulder) were limited participants in Wednesday’s practice. Peters sat out his third straight game this past Sunday while Humphrey played all 66 defensive snaps in the 27-16 loss to the Bengals.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced starting right guard Alex Cappa would not play in the wild-card round after injuring his left ankle in the regular-season finale. Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins sat out Wednesday’s practice due to an illness.
Below was Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DE Calais Campbell (rest), RB Gus Edwards (concussion), OLB Justin Houston (rest), QB Lamar Jackson (knee), LS Nick Moore (illness), OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (rest), G Ben Powers (rest), OT Ronnie Stanley (rest), CB Brandon Stephens (illness)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Marlon Humphrey (shoulder), QB Tyler Huntley (right shoulder/wrist), CB Marcus Peters (calf)
CINCINNATI
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: G Alex Cappa (ankle), WR Tee Higgins (illness)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Cam Taylor-Britt (groin)
Smith, Queen receive local media honors
On the heels of signing a five-year, $100 million contract extension, Pro Bowl inside linebacker Roquan Smith was named 2022 team MVP by local reporters and the Baltimore chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Despite only playing in nine games for the Ravens after being acquired from Chicago at the trade deadline, Smith made a dynamic impact on and off the field as he finished third on the team in tackles and tackles for a loss and instantly became a team leader. His play is regarded as a major reason why the Baltimore defense became one of the NFL’s very best over the second half of the season.
“I’m very grateful to be here and receive such a prestigious award,” said Smith, whose contract extension was clearly the bigger story of the day. “I just wouldn’t be here without my teammates [and] coaches, so I’m just excited to be here and excited to be here for the long haul.”
Fellow inside linebacker Patrick Queen was voted as the local media “Good Guy” in recognition of going above and beyond requirements to make himself available to reporters and provide helpful insight throughout the 2022 season.
Below is a history of the Ravens MVP and “Good Guy” selections (in that order) dating back to their introduction by the local media in 2003:
2003: Jamal Lewis, Gary Baxter
2004: Ed Reed, Anthony Weaver
2005: Adalius Thomas, Jamal Lewis
2006: Steve McNair, Bart Scott
2007: Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason
2008: Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs
2009: Ray Rice, Jarret Johnson
2010: Haloti Ngata, Chris Carr
2011: Ray Rice, Bernard Pollard
2012: Ray Rice, Arthur Jones
2013: Justin Tucker, Joe Flacco
2014: Justin Forsett, Torrey Smith
2015: Marshal Yanda, Jimmy Smith
2016: Justin Tucker, Zachary Orr
2017: Terrell Suggs, Eric Weddle
2018: Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Carr
2019: Lamar Jackson, Orlando Brown Jr.
2020: Lamar Jackson, no Good Guy named due to pandemic media restrictions
2021: Mark Andrews, Mark Andrews
