Robert Saleh knows the Titans can prepare for Lamar Jackson all week and still struggle to recreate what they will face Sunday against the Ravens. Tennessee’s head coach offered a straightforward assessment of Baltimore’s quarterback, acknowledging that a practice field cannot fully replicate Jackson’s ability to create problems for a defense.
“There’s no simulation of Lamar,” Saleh said, according to ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “It’s impossible to mimic what Lamar does.”
#Titans Robert Saleh: There's no simulation of Lamar. It's impossible to mimick what Lamar does. We have are plaster rules, our disciplined pass rush. Then Derrick Henry, you never know how hard it is to tackle him until you do. They're Hall of Fame players, they're going to get…
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) October 2, 2026
Discipline becomes essential against Jackson
Saleh pointed to a disciplined pass rush and Tennessee’s “plaster” rules as priorities. Those coverage rules require defenders to stay attached to receivers when the quarterback extends a play. Against Jackson, getting pressure is only part of the assignment. Rushers must avoid creating escape lanes, while defensive backs cannot assume the play is over when the initial routes are covered.
Jackson can punish either mistake by finding an open receiver or taking off himself.
Derrick Henry presents another challenge
Saleh also acknowledged how difficult Henry is to tackle, saying defenders cannot fully appreciate the challenge until they experience it. Henry’s power creates a different problem alongside Jackson’s mobility. Tennessee must stay disciplined enough to account for both without letting one threat create opportunities for the other.
Saleh described Jackson and Henry as Hall of Fame players and acknowledged that both will produce. His goal is to limit the damage as much as possible. That is the challenge Baltimore presents: Tennessee can understand the assignments and anticipate the threats, but executing those responsibilities against Jackson and Henry is another matter.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Robert Saleh explains why preparing for Lamar Jackson is so difficult
