It looks like Cooper Rush will make another start for the Ravens this weekend.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is not practicing on Friday, according to multiple reporters on the scene. That puts Rush in line to start his second consecutive game, as Jackson continues to deal with a hamstring injury suffered in the Week 4 loss to the Chiefs.
Jackson has not practiced since that contest.
The Ravens have a bye in Week 7, which could help set up Jackson to return for Week 8.
Rush completed 14-of-20 passes for 179 yards with three interceptions in Baltimore’s loss to Houston last week.
Linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and receiver Devontez Walker (oblique) also were not practicing for the Ravens on Friday. But cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) was on the field during the media’s viewing window.
The Ravens’ full final injury report of the week, with statuses for Sunday’s game against the Rams, will be released later on Friday.
Things have not gone well for the 1-4 Ravens this season, particularly on defense.
But the train that is the NFL season keeps rolling, with the club set to take on the Rams in Week 6.
While it appears Baltimore will again be without quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has not practiced this week with a hamstring injury, running back Derrick Henry is still healthy and available to lead the offense.
In his Thursday news conference, Henry told reporters that his message to the team this week is that there is still a lot ahead for the club in 2025.
“[D]on’t let the circumstances dictate our future. Just stay focused,” Henry said, via transcript from the team. “We can turn this thing around and get what we want to get out of the season. We just have to lock in, and everybody has just got to do more, hold each other accountable. Leaders lead, and let it translate to Sundays, which it hasn’t these last couple of weeks, but I told them, we just have to keep working, and I believe that it will [translate].”
After averaging 113.0 yards rushing per game last season, Henry has put up just 63.4 yards per game this season. That would be his lowest output since his second year, when he wasn’t starting and averaged 46.5 yards per game.
Henry said he feels like the effectiveness of the Ravens’ ground attack comes down to execution.
“We just try to put more emphasis on it,” Henry said. “As a team, as a group, as a unit, you have to do those things, but individually, you have to do those things, as well — see what you need to get better at, watch yourself on film, be truthful, and see the things you need to work on. I know that’s what I do, and I’m sure everybody else does that.
“That’s the only way you’re going to get better and get this thing turned around, is to be honest with yourself. Our guys [are] holding each other accountable just so we can see change and [so] things change on Sunday.”
It’s official: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson did not practice again on Thursday. It seems more unlikely that he will return to action this week.
Jackson injured his hamstring in a Week 4 game against the Chiefs and has not practiced or played since.
Cooper Rush replaced Jackson in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Texans.
Jackson has completed 71.6 percent of his passes for 869 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception.
Linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) and guard Ben Cleveland (personal) also did not practice. Cleveland was a new addition to the practice report.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) both returned to limited participation after missing Wednesday’s work. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (shoulder) and wide receiver Devontez Walker (oblique) remained limited.
Safety Kyle Hamilton (groin), offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), offensive tackle Joseph Noteboom (ankle) and offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten (knee) returned to full participation after limited sessions on Wednesday.
Lamar Jackson’s availability for Week 6 is looking more unlikely.
According to multiple reporters on the scene, the Ravens quarterback remains out of practice on Thursday as the club gets ready to play the Rams.
Jackson has not practiced since suffering his hamstring injury during Baltimore’s Week 4 loss to Kansas City.
The quarterback has completed 71.6 percent of his passes for 869 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception so far this season. Cooper Rush is likely to start again in Jackson’s place if Jackson is not healthy enough to play on Sunday.
Linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, and guard Ben Cleveland also were not on the field for practice.
However, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and fullback Patrick Ricard were back on the field for the session.
The Ravens’ full injury report with practice participation levels will be released later on Thursday.
The Ravens got back on the practice field on Wednesday for the first time since the team traded edge rusher Odafe Oweh to the Chargers for safety Alohi Gilman.
It’s the first big roster change that the Ravens have made in the wake of a 1-4 start and rookie safety Malaki Starks said on Wednesday that there’s “a sense of urgency that goes behind” the move. Starks noted that it’s not something that happens in college and linebacker Kyle Van Noy agreed that the move will come as a wakeup call that reminds some of the ever-changing nature of life in the NFL.
“Yes, I definitely have to go with a wakeup call,” Van Noy said, via a transcript from the team. “I can’t control those things. I can only control what I do on the football field, as well as be able to communicate to help others around me, and that’s kind of what I’m focused on. But it definitely is a wakeup call for those that haven’t been in the business a while. But for me, I always just try to focus on what I can control, and that’s continue to do what my job requirements are.”
The Ravens are in need of a jolt of life against the Rams this week after being outscored 81-30 over the last two weeks. It would be asking a lot of Gilman to provide all of it, but they’ll be hoping to see a wider impact when they hit the field this Sunday.
