Lamar Jackson’s injury looms largest for wounded Ravens against Texans

The most significant name on the Ravens’ bloated injury report from Wednesday was that of two-time MVP and three-time All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose hamstring injury against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday threw an already teetering season into further peril.

Baltimore coach John Harbaugh proved cagey when asked to provide a status update for Jackson, who appears unlikely to play when the Ravens (1-3) host the Houston Texans (1-3) on Sunday.

Unfortunately for Baltimore, seven others did not practice on Wednesday, including the Ravens’ top three cornerbacks — Marlon Humphery (calf), Nate Wiggins (elbow) and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) — plus linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle).

“We’ll be working our way through the week with guys,” Harbaugh said. “You’ll see guys back (Thursday), you’ll see guys back Friday, you’ll see guys back Sunday. We’ll get as many guys back as we can, but we’re also preparing for not having some guys back.

“That’s what we’ll prepare for, and we’ll be ready to go and play our best game of the year.”

Cooper Rush is slated to start should Jackson remain sidelined. Off the bench in the Ravens’ 37-20 road loss to Kansas City, Rush completed nine of 13 passes for 52 yards without a touchdown or interception.

Rush has started 14 of his 40 career games, including eight last season when he filled in for Dak Prescott with the Dallas Cowboys.

He is 9-5 as a starter (including 4-4 in 2024), and his experience should help offset some of the myriad concerns that come with Jackson being unavailable.

“Cooper is experienced; he’s been in these situations before,” Harbaugh said. “He’s up to speed. He’s been with us all the way back to the beginning. He’s been in every practice, every meeting. He knows the offense, and he’ll be ready to go.”

The Texans are preparing for the off chance that Jackson makes a miraculous recovery.

Additionally, they have ample concern for the numerous weapons Rush will have at his disposal.

“They’re still explosive players that Lamar is getting the football to,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “If Rush has to come in and play, he still has very capable guys to get the ball to. It really doesn’t matter to us; we just have to be on the details when it comes to the defense and how we play.

“We have to play our style, we have to rep our style every single snap, and we have to be on the details of our job. We have to play with awareness.”

The Texans earned their first victory last Sunday by blanking the Tennessee Titans 26-0. Rookie running back Woody Marks enjoyed a breakout performance (119 total yards, two touchdowns) against Tennessee and joined fellow rookies Aireontae Ersery, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in offering welcome support for a team that has scuffled scoring thus far this season.

“I’ve seen the guys put their heads down (and) work,” Ryans said. “They don’t say much at all, but all of those guys … just continue to get better every week. And that’s what you’re seeing. You’re seeing those guys mature right before our eyes. You’re seeing them get more opportunities because of the trust that they’ve shown with the opportunities they’ve been given.

“To see (the potential) come to life quickly here in the first month of the season, it’s cool to see where their trajectory is going. We’ve got some really good young rookies, and they’ve got a promising future.”

Though not as depleted as Baltimore, three players sat out Wednesday’s Texans practice: defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (rest), defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique).

–Field Level Media