UPDATE: Lamar Jackson has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game. He will return Thursday on the road against the Miami Dolphins. Snoop Huntley will be Baltimore’s starting QB tomorrow against the Chicago Bears.
Just when Bears fans thought their Sunday matchup couldn’t get any more interesting, a little birdie from the NFL Network dropped a bombshell that has Chicago buzzing. The big question looming over Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens has been the status of their electrifying quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Well, buckle up, because the plot just thickened.
Is Lamar Jackson Playing Or Not
Let’s cut to the chase. Hopes were high in Baltimore that Jackson, the two-time MVP, would make his grand return from a pesky hamstring injury that had sidelined him for the last two games. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice, which usually means it’s all systems go. But hold your horses.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, while Jackson was indeed on the field, he was running the scout team. For those not fluent in coach-speak, that’s the team that mimics the upcoming opponent in practice. It is typically a sign that a player is still another week away from seeing real game action. So, despite the “full practice” tag, Jackson might be sporting a baseball cap instead of a helmet on Sunday. It is a classic case of smoke and mirrors from the Ravens’ coaching staff, trying to keep the Bears guessing until the last possible second.
What Does This Mean For the Ravens?
If Jackson is out, the Ravens will turn to Tyler “Snoop” Huntley. Cooper Rush, who started the last two games and looked about as effective as a screen door on a submarine (251 yards, zero touchdowns, four interceptions), has been demoted. Ouch.
Huntley, on the other hand, isn’t a slouch. He has a similar play style to Jackson and even earned a Pro Bowl nod. He’s made 14 starts in his career and has shown flashes of being a capable leader. While he’s no Lamar Jackson—because, let’s be honest, who is?—he’s got enough experience to keep the Ravens competitive. The coaching staff clearly trusts him more than Rush, and for a team desperate to climb out of a 1-5 hole, they need a spark from somewhere.
A Massive Break For the Bears
For the Chicago Bears, this news is like an early Christmas gift. They are riding a four-game winning streak after a rough 0-2 start and are looking to keep the good times rolling. While Chicago is nursing some significant injuries of its own—with key Cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson out—not having to face the human highlight reel that is Lamar Jackson is a huge sigh of relief.
Facing a backup quarterback, even a decent one like Huntley, is a whole different ballgame than preparing for the unique, defense-shredding talent of Jackson. This could be the break the Bears need to extend their win streak and prove that their recent turnaround is the real deal.
So, while nothing is official until the inactive lists are released on Sunday, the signs are pointing to a Lamar-less Ravens offense. For Chicago fans, it’s time to get a little more optimistic about their chances. For Ravens fans, it is another week of holding their breath and hoping their season isn’t slipping away.
