OWINGS MILLS, MD -- For the third week in a row, quarterback Lamar Jackson hasn't been ruled out, despite missing nearly all of the Baltimore Ravens' practices.
Jackson, who is suffering from a right ankle injury, has not practiced for the past two days after suffering a severe limp on Wednesday. After Friday's practice, Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed hope that Jackson might be fit for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, which is crucial to Baltimore's dwindling playoff hopes.
"I think he's got a chance to play on Sunday," Harbaugh said. "We'll have to see. This time of year... it's all on deck. Those who are ready to play and can play."
The Ravens officially listed Jackson as a suspect on Friday's injury report.
Harbaugh said Tyler Huntley, who has done pretty well this season, would be ready to start over if Jackson can't play. Josh Johnson, who started losing to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday, will then support Huntley.
In addition, wide receiver Marquis Brown is listed as suspect after not practicing the past two days with an illness.
Jackson, 2019 NFL MVP, injured his right ankle on December 12 during a loss to Baltimore in Cleveland. He did not practice for the next two weeks, and the Ravens continued to list him as a suspect before making him inactive on game day.
On Wednesday, Jackson returned to the field for the first time in 17 days and struggled to put any weight on his right foot, moving from drill to drill.
Asked if Jackson was allowed to practice too soon, Harbaugh said, "It's a medical decision. That's what doctors and coaches do. We as coaches don't make those decisions. It makes him even more involved." Didn't feel bad."
Baltimore (8-7) has dropped to No. 8 in the seven-team AFC playoff ground after losing four games in a row. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, if the Ravens lose to the Rams 11-4, their post-season chances drop to 8%.
The Ravens, who started out as a 3-point underdog, have become a 5.5-point underdog since Jackson missed practice.
When asked about starting out in such a pressure game, Huntley said: "We just have to win."
After sitting out Wednesday's practice, Huntley returned to the Ravens on Thursday after being activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. He said he had "tough symptoms" last weekend, which forced him to miss Sunday's game in Cincinnati.
"I feel better now," Huntley said.
Huntley, who is 1-1 as a starter, has exceeded expectations when filling in for Jackson. On his last debut, Huntley became the first Ravens player to record multiple touchdown passes and touchdown runs in a single game in a 31–30 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
"I can play a little bit in this league," Huntley said. "I just want to get better. I love that the rep I'm getting makes everyone around me feel even better."
Baltimore has never lost five straight games in coach John Harbaugh's 14 seasons and has not missed the postseason since 2017.