What's Happening?
The Baltimore Ravens have announced that quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss his second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury. Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, has been sidelined since sustaining the injury on September 28 in Kansas City. In his absence, Cooper Rush will start against the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens have struggled without Jackson, holding a 4-11 record when he is not playing since he became the starting quarterback in 2018. The team has lost its last five games without him, failing to score more than 17 points in each. Despite Jackson's absence, the Ravens are seeing some players return from injury, including Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and Ronnie Stanley.
Why It's Important?
Lamar Jackson's absence is significant for the Baltimore Ravens, who are currently experiencing one of their worst starts in franchise history with a 1-4 record. The team is looking to avoid a four-game losing streak, a situation they last faced at the end of the 2021 season when Jackson was also out due to injury. Jackson's role as a key player is underscored by the team's poor performance without him, highlighting the challenges they face in maintaining competitiveness. The return of other key players may provide some relief, but Jackson's absence remains a critical issue for the team's prospects.
What's Next?
The Ravens will face the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday, after which they enter their bye week. This break provides Jackson additional time to recover, with hopes of returning for the October 26 game against the Chicago Bears. The team will need to strategize effectively to manage without Jackson and capitalize on the return of other players to improve their performance.
