Texans against. Ravens: Three more Pro Bowlers and no Lamar Jackson
MILLS, OWINGS, MD -- Lamar Jackson's hamstring injury has forced him to miss Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, which is the most recent blow to the struggling and injured Baltimore Ravens.
Two-time NFL MVP Jackson will be out for the first time since a January 2023 wild-card defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals. Without Jackson since 2018, Baltimore has a 4-10 record with an average of 16.6 points per game.
The Ravens (1-3), who are battling a number of ailments following their worst start in a decade, will see Cooper Rush make his first start. The Ravens have ruled out four Pro Bowl players from the previous season: Jackson, middle linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf). The team has nine players on its injured list.
Rush remarked, "I've kind of been here before," There's always a'sky is falling' vibe when a franchise quarterback is benched. It's natural, and it's good to know you had an entire week to prepare if you have to go out there on Sunday and complete your tasks. So things like that are good."
Midway through the third quarter of Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Jackson left the game due to a hamstring injury. He subsequently skipped this week's three Ravens workouts.
Jackson's departure presents the Ravens with yet another obstacle as they attempt to avoid their second consecutive 1-4 start in franchise history. The last time Baltimore triumphed without Jackson was in December 2022, and the team has already lost four straight games without him.
Rush, a former backup with the Dallas Cowboys, was signed by Baltimore this offseason to a two-year, $6.2 million contract because he provides more experience behind Jackson. Rush is 9-5 as a starter, throwing 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
"He has to play his style, the way he plays, within the offense," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He knows the offense, and we're ready to go."
Jackson, 28, has produced a strong start for the disappointing Ravens. He ranks fifth in the NFL in Total QBR (72.8), throwing 10 touchdowns and one interception.
With Jackson, Baltimore ranks third in the NFL with 32.8 points per game. But Jackson has taken his share of hits and has been sacked 15 times, which is the second most in the league.
"I know he is doing everything to get right, but he's been around," Rush said of Jackson. "[I'm asking] questions here and there [like], 'How does Zay [Flowers] run this?' [With] things like that, he's been helpful."
In addition to the six players ruled out, four players are considered questionable: safety Kyle Hamilton (groin), outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (eye), offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and wide receiver Devontez Walker (oblique). Hamilton, a two-time Pro Bowler, has missed the past two practices.
Faced with the tough start and mounting injuries, Harbaugh said the vibe around the team has been "really positive and really determined."
