The Ravens began the final practice week of the regular season with no new signs of optimism regarding the availability of Lamar Jackson for Sunday’s tilt against rival Pittsburgh.
The star quarterback didn’t participate on Wednesday and hasn’t seen the field since limping through a limited practice one week ago and ultimately sitting out his third straight game against the Los Angeles Rams. Jackson has practiced only once since injuring his right ankle in Cleveland on Dec. 12, making it difficult to envision him playing against the Steelers without a full week of practice after such a lengthy layoff.
Head coach John Harbaugh wasn’t interested in addressing that reality when posed the question, however.
“I don’t have any update, and I really don’t even see the value of talking about it at this point in time,” Harbaugh said before Wednesday’s indoor practice closed to media. “We’re trying to get ready to play the game. It’s really not something I want to put a lot of information out there about anyway. That’s where we’re at with it.”
The Ravens would obviously love to have a healthy Jackson back under center for Week 18, but it makes little sense to push the fourth-year quarterback to play if not close to 100%, especially with such slim playoff chances anyway.
Cornerback Anthony Averett (ribs/chest) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (foot) remained sidelined from practice after sitting out last Sunday’s loss to the Rams. Left guard Ben Powers (foot) returned to practice on a limited basis after sitting out the last three contests.
Center Bradley Bozeman was a full participant on Wednesday after sitting out Sunday’s game due to illness.
Meanwhile, the Steelers practiced without left tackle Dan Moore (ankle) and right guard Trai Turner (knee) and placed starting cornerback Joe Haden on the reserve-COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Pittsburgh did activate six players from the COVID-19 list: offensive tackle Zach Banner, inside linebackers Devin Bush and Joe Schobert, cornerback Arthur Maulet, running back Anthony McFarland, and defensive end Chris Wormley.
Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler was also placed in the COVID protocol on Wednesday.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Anthony Averett (ribs/chest), OLB Justin Houston (non-injury), QB Lamar Jackson (ankle), OT Patrick Mekari (hand), OLB Odafe Oweh (foot), FB Patrick Ricard (knee), CB Jimmy Smith (non-injury), CB Tavon Young (non-injury), G Kevin Zeitler (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: G Ben Powers (foot)
FULL PARTICIPATION: C Bradley Bozeman (illness), QB Tyler Huntley (illness)
PITTSBURGH
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: LB Buddy Johnson (foot), OT Dan Moore (ankle), G Trai Turner (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Terrell Edmunds (groin), C Kendrick Green (calf), QB Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral/right shoulder)
