Update (9:07 a.m. ET, Sunday): The official injury report confirms Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson remains out for Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, a status first announced Friday and unchanged heading into kickoff. Tyler Huntley is set to make his 13th career start in Jackson’s place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Lamar Jackson injury sidelines the two-time NFL MVP for a left ankle sprain he suffered late in the second quarter of Baltimore’s 24-18 win over Tennessee last Sunday, when Jermaine Johnson II brought him down and twisted the ankle, according to CBS Sports. Jackson did not practice all week, and the Ravens confirmed Friday he would miss his first game of the season.
Baltimore Ravens Vs Atlanta Falcons Game Information
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- TV: NBC
- Weather: 65°F, 0% chance of precipitation
Why Is Lamar Jackson Out For Sunday Night?
Jackson left the stadium Sunday night wearing a protective boot on his left foot, according to ESPN. Before he exited, Jackson had completed 15 of 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns against the Titans. The Ravens did not score again in the final two quarters after he left.
Through four games this season, Jackson had thrown for 967 yards with six touchdowns against one interception, completing 70.8% of his passes for a 119.6 passer rating. He had also rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown. Fox Sports reported the injury is considered an ankle sprain that is not thought to be long-term, though Jackson could miss multiple games.
Jackson has a history of missing time. He sat out four games last season with hamstring and back injuries, the final six games of 2022 with a knee injury and four weeks in 2021 with an ankle injury, according to Fox Sports.
What Happens With Tyler Huntley Starting?
Huntley will make his 13th career start for Baltimore, entering Week 5 with a 7-9 record as a starter that includes 14 total touchdowns against 12 turnovers. He closed out the Titans win by completing 8 of 9 passes for 63 yards and rushing four times for 16 yards in relief of Jackson. Ravens coach Jesse Minter backed his backup quarterback, telling ESPN: “We have a ton of confidence in [Huntley] to play really well. I think everyone on the team is excited to see that.”
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman echoed that sentiment after learning Huntley would start. “We definitely got all the confidence in him,” Bateman said, according to ESPN. “He’s won games when we’ve needed to. He’s got Lamar’s back, and he’s going to carry us along the way.”
The split with and without Jackson is stark. With Jackson starting, the Ravens are 79-32 and average 28.4 points per game. Without him since 2019, Baltimore is 6-11 and averages 17.6 points, though five of those six wins came with Huntley at quarterback. One statistical gap worth watching: Jackson threw nine passes of 25 yards or longer through four games this season, ranking fifth in the NFL, while Huntley had just one such completion in two starts last season.
Baltimore also ruled out outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson for a second straight game following finger surgery. The Ravens are looking to improve to 4-1 for the first time since 2021.
Can The Falcons’ Run Defense Slow Derrick Henry?
Atlanta enters the game leading the NFL in run defense, allowing just 48.3 yards per game on the ground, a number that sets up directly against a Baltimore rushing attack ranked fourth in the league at 153.5 yards per game. Henry has scored a touchdown in every game this season and has rushed for 374 yards, a matchup that carries added weight now that Huntley is running the offense instead of Jackson.
The Falcons also enter banged up. Pass rusher Za’Darius Smith was ruled out with a concussion suffered in Atlanta’s 45-24 win over New Orleans, and left tackle Jake Matthews is listed as questionable with a groin injury after returning to practice Thursday.
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Ravens 29.0, Falcons 24.0
- Passing yards per game: Ravens 257.5, Falcons 191.8
- Rushing yards per game: Ravens 153.5, Falcons 181.0
- Total yards per game: Ravens 411.0, Falcons 372.8
- Third-down conversion rate: Ravens 32.43%, Falcons 37.21%
- Turnover differential: Ravens plus-3, Falcons minus-5
- Sacks allowed: Ravens 7, Falcons 8
- Red zone scoring rate: Ravens 86.67%, Falcons 100.00%
Ravens Outlook
Baltimore is tied with Cleveland atop the AFC North at 3-1 and chasing its first 4-1 start since 2021. The offense will break in a new starting quarterback while also missing wide receiver Zay Flowers, listed as questionable with a foot injury, and center Cam Jurgens, who is out with a concussion. Huntley was 2-0 as a fill-in starter last season, a track record Baltimore will lean on with Jackson sidelined.
Falcons Outlook
Atlanta is 2-2 in the NFC South after scoring 80 points over its last two games, including the 45-24 win over New Orleans on Monday night. The Falcons’ defense leads the NFL with 79 quarterback pressures and ranks second with 35 quarterback hits, though it will be without Smith for Sunday’s game. Matthews remains questionable after his groin injury kept him out of part of Monday’s game.
Key Matchup: Henry Against The NFL’s Top Run Defense
Derrick Henry against Atlanta’s run defense is the matchup most likely to shape the game’s rhythm with Huntley confirmed as the starter. The Falcons have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game in the league, while Henry has found the end zone in every game this season. Establishing Henry early matters more than usual for Baltimore with a backup quarterback under center.
What To Watch
Baltimore is chasing its first 4-1 start since 2021 while playing without Jackson and Hendrickson. Atlanta will be down a key pass rusher in Smith as it tries to build on back-to-back wins. The Ravens hold a 5-2 edge in the all-time series, with their last meeting a 17-9 win in December 2022.
More NFL news from Total Apex Sports, including the Ravens center injury update and the Cam Jurgens trade that brought him to Baltimore.
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