The Baltimore Ravens already had arguably the NFL’s worst defense, which was going to make it hard to win games.
Their saving grace was their talent stockpiled on offense, led by 2-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. He’s been the Ravens‘ biggest advantage since he first took the field back in 2018.
With that advantage seemingly gone for the short term, at least, the Ravens could be in for a bit of an uphill battle with a 1-3 record and hosting the equally desperate 1-3 Houston Texans in Week 5.
“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is likely to miss Sunday’s game vs Texans with a hamstring injury, per sources,” The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker wrote on X on September 30.
Jackson injured his hamstring in the third quarter of a 37-20 road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 but wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire when he was hurt —he was 14-of-20 passing for 147 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception to go with 6 carries for 48 yards and 1 lost fumble.
Even if Lamar is just out for a few games, it’s hard to see them going anywhere without him,” CBS color commentator and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo said during the broadcast. “Especially with the way he plays and with a hamstring injury.”
Into Jackson’s place will step longtime NFL backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who finished the game against the Chiefs and signed a 2-year, $6.2 million contract with the Ravens in March after 7 seasons as the backup to Dak Prescott on the Dallas Cowboys.
Jackson Has Dealt With Injuries in Past
In 2021, Jackson missed 5 games due to injuries, including the last 4 due to a sprained ankle. In 2022, he missed the final 5 regular season games plus the playoffs with a sprained knee — a PCL strain that’s the same injury Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has missed the last 2 games because of.
Heavy.com’s Jonathan Adams posted a video of Jackson, who has a 5-year, $260 million contract, with a heavy limp after the game.
Ravens Staring Down Possible Lost Season
ESPN’s MJ Acosta tossed out an alarming stat that applies to the Ravens after their loss to the Chiefs.
“Only 11 percent of teams have made the playoffs after a 1-3 start in the Super Bowl era,” Acosta said on “First Take” on September 29.
If the Ravens can get somewhat competent play out of Rush all might not be lost. They have 3 consecutive home games followed by a bye week then a road game against the lowly Miami Dolphins in Week 9.
That might actually be a fitting return for Jackson, who grew up just one hour north in Boynton Beach, Florida.
What Cooper Rush Brings to Table
In 14 starts — all since 2021 — Rush has a 9-5 record with 3,515 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 60.7 percent of his passes.
That’s more than respectable numbers for a backup quarterback in the NFL.
One thing Ravens fans will need to get used to is taht Rush can’t run the ball in any meaningful way, which could come as a shock going from the greatest rushing quarterback in NFL history in Jackson … to whatever Rush is.
In 38 career games, Rush has -7 rushing yards, averages -0.1 yards per carry and has zero career rushing touchdowns.
Not only can Rush not be counted on to use his legs to get extra yards, he’s not even capable of doing it in short yardage situations.
Ravens $260 Million QB Lamar Jackson Gets More Bad News