Lamar

Jackson

It’s been a while since Jackson had fantasy-relevant production on the ground. He had just 87 rushing yards over his past six games, with many of his rushing metrics falling off, before looking slightly more mobile and less hobbled in Week 14 against the Steelers. His rushing score came inside the ten-yard line when the Pittsburgh defense lost contain and watched Jackson walk in for six. Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely in the fourth quarter on what would have been Likely’s second touchdown of the game, but Likely lost the ball before getting his third foot down in the end zone, which is apparently now a requirement in the NFL. Jackson’s modest resurgence — from fantasy-irrelevant to a top-15 option — should keep him in lineups next week against the porous Bengals defense.

Jackson returned to practice Friday after being downgraded with his lingering ankle issue on Thursday. He hasn’t been himself for more than a month now as the Ravens offense stagnates in ways we haven’t seen since Jackson became the team’s starting quarterback. They’ll look to get back on track against a Steelers defense sporting one of the NFL’s most porous rush defenses. Ravens declared WR Devontez Walker, QB Cooper Rush, DT Aeneas Peebles, G Ben Cleveland, and T Joseph Noteboom inactive for Week 14.

Jackson missed Thursday’s practice due to an ankle injury, but was back on the field on Friday. He was removed from the team’s final injury report and will be good to go in a pivotal AFC North matchup against the Steelers in a game that will decide the division leader heading into Week 15. Jackson has struggled since returning from injury. He’s thrown just one touchdown pass to three interceptions over his last four games and is averaging 21.0 rushing yards per game over that span. Jackson is a low-end QB1 against the Steelers this week.

Ravens OC Todd Monken said he expected Jackson to play yesterday, and a Thursday DNP appeared to be management for Jackson. We’re not expecting any surprises on Jackson’s status later this afternoon given the fact that the Ravens and Steelers are playing a must-win game for control of the top of the AFC North, but stay tuned.

Monken’s statement was hardly enthusiastic, noting Jackson was unable to participate today, but he does believe Jackson will be active on game day. The Ravens’ quarterback is becoming difficult to trust as a fantasy starter, but the elite dual-threat traits he has consistently shown for years keep him at the tail-end of the QB1 group.

The Ravens are giving Jackson a day off fairly often at this point, though this typically occurs on Wednesday. Today’s absence could simply be standard rest and rehab, but it is hardly reassuring given Jackson’s recent streak of performances. Jackson is barely on the QB1 radar for Week 14. Hopefully, he practices fully tomorrow.

At this point, anything other than a DNP to open the week is a good sign for Jackson. The beleaguered quarterback has been listed with four different injuries throughout the year. He hasn’t missed a game in over a month, but the maladies have taken their toll on his numbers. Jackson hasn’t run for more than 50 yards in a game since Week 1. His passing stats have also fallen compared to 2024. The rushing decline, in particular, has Jackson barely on the QB1 radar for Week 14 versus the Steelers.

Jackson added a measly 27 yards on the ground. Turnovers were the defining feature of the Ravens’ offense in this game and Jackson contributed three of them. His first was a fumble that popped out of his hands at his own five-yard line. Later in the game, he decided against making a throw, only his arm didn’t get the message. Jackson lost the ball while trying to stop his throwing motion and the Bengals recovered. He eventually tossed a horrid interception early in the fourth quarter, all but sealing the Ravens’ fate. Jackson has been listed on the Ravens’ injury report with four different issues this year and he is playing like a quarterback who isn’t healthy. He hasn’t run for 50 yards in a game since Week 1. For reference, Jackson averaged over 50 rushing yards per game in 2024. With his rushing production on the decline, Jackson will barely crack the QB1 ranks for his Week 14 date with the Steelers.

Jackson missed Monday’s practice but was back in action for the following two sessions. He could be taking off the first practice of the week for the remainder of the season as the Ravens try to keep him fresh. Jackson’s rushing numbers are down this year and his fantasy numbers have fallen as a result. A date with the horrific Bengals defense should get him on track, at least for one week. Jackson remains near the top of the QB1 ranks for Week 13.

This is the norm for Jackson now, he misses the first session of the week and practices in the second. While both Jackson and John Harbaugh have insisted he’s fine physically, it’s hard to see him looking a step slow and actually believe that. Regardless, Jackson-reliant managers are absolutely using Jackson in Week 13 against the league’s worst defense, Cincinnati. Even if he’s thrown for just one touchdown in the last three weeks.