The Ravens could be without their star quarterback for a must-win game.
Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful for Saturday night’s showdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Jackson missed all three practices this week with a back injury that he suffered during the first half of Sunday night’s loss to the New England Patriots.
Baltimore (7-8) needs to win Saturday and have the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) lose to the Cleveland Browns (3-12) on Sunday to have a chance at winning the AFC North in Week 18. A win by the Steelers, who are 3-point favorites in Cleveland, would eliminate the Ravens from postseason contention.
Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Jackson could play even without practicing all week.
“He’s played a lot of football, won a lot of games for us. … If he can go, he will go,” said Harbaugh, who described the injury that Jackson suffered after taking a knee to the back from Patriots safety Craig Woodson as a “deep tissue contusion.”
If the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is unable to suit up, Tyler Huntley, who came off the bench in relief on Sunday, would get the start for the second time this season.
Huntley last started in Week 8 and led Baltimore to a 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium while Jackson was still out with a hamstring injury that sidelined the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player for three games. In four appearances this season, Huntley has completed 76.6% of his passes for 319 yards and a touchdown. He has also rushed for 91 yards on 16 carries.
Should Jackson not be able to play Saturday and the Ravens are eliminated from the playoffs, it’s also unlikely that he would play in what would be a meaningless regular-season finale in Pittsburgh.
If Jackson doesn’t play again this season, it would mark the third time in his eight years that he was unable to finish a season because of injury.
The Packers, meanwhile, face their own quarterback uncertainty as starter Jordan Love (concussion/left shoulder) and backup Malik Willis (right shoulder/illness) are questionable.
Love was injured after taking a hit to the helmet during the Packers’ loss to the Chicago Bears last week and was limited in practice all week. Willis, meanwhile, hurt his right shoulder on the final play of regulation against the Bears and did not practice Wednesday because of an illness. Clayton Tune is the team’s third quarterback. The former University of Houston and Arizona Cardinals fifth-round draft pick has played 13 games across two seasons, completing 14 of 23 passes for 70 yards.
Ravens undrafted rookie linebacker Jay Higgins (knee) was a full participant Friday and is questionable. Reserve defensive tackle Taven Bryan (knee) was limited Friday and has been ruled out.
Packers cornerback Bo Melton (illness), guard Sean Ryan (knee/illness), offensive lineman Zach Tom (back/knee), wide receiver Christian Watson (shoulder/illness) and safety Evan Williams (knee) are questionable, while guard John Williams and linebacker Kristian Welch have been ruled out.
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