Lamar Jackson ruled out again; Tyler Huntley starts vs. Browns in Week 6

Lamar Jackson will miss a second consecutive game Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens travel to Cleveland, after the two-time MVP failed to practice at all during the week and head coach Jesse Minter officially ruled him out Friday. The decision, Minter said, comes down to one thing: Jackson's health, not the standings.

It's day-by-day, I would say. I think it's just a decision for his best interest. That's really what every decision's always going to be about.— Jesse Minter, Ravens Head Coach

Jackson sprained his left ankle on his final play of the first half in a Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 4. He has not practiced since — a span of 12 days. Earlier this week, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Jackson had a realistic chance of returning for this game, and Minter had described the situation as day-to-day. But after Jackson missed all three practices, the call was made Friday morning.

Minter pushed back on any suggestion the injury is more serious than the Ravens have let on. The Ravens enter Sunday's AFC North divisional game at 4-1, holding a one-game lead atop the division — and with a backup quarterback who has given them genuine reason for calm.

Tyler 'Snoop' Huntley will start for the second straight week. His résumé as a fill-in is quietly remarkable: since the start of the 2025 season, Huntley leads all starting quarterbacks with at least three starts in both QBR (79.7) and completion rate (77.8%), according to TSN. In his three wins this stretch — over the Bears, Rams, and last Sunday's overtime comeback against the Falcons — Baltimore has averaged 33.7 points per game. He has thrown four touchdowns and zero interceptions in those games.

We won't bat an eye with Snoop being in there.— Jesse Minter, Ravens Head Coach

Of course we want L [Jackson] out there, but we also want L to be healthy and be ready whenever he's ready. Our job is just to hold it down until he gets back. Snoop's doing a heck of a job.— Derrick Henry, Ravens Running Back

Huntley's path back to Baltimore has its own subplot. The Browns cut him before this season, keeping four other quarterbacks — Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders — on their 53-man roster instead. Huntley then rejoined the Ravens, where he began the year as the No. 3 quarterback before working his way back to the primary backup role by Week 6. On Sunday, he faces the team that let him go.

The Ravens' injury picture extends well beyond their quarterback. Center Cam Jurgens, acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 7, remains in concussion protocol and has been ruled out — meaning rookie Olaivavega 'Vega' Ioane will make his third straight start at center. Guards Andrew Vorhees (foot) and Emery Jones Jr. (ankle) are both listed as questionable after limited practice weeks. Defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. (ankle) and rookie tight end Matt Hibner (hand) are also out. The Ravens have already lost tight end Durham Smythe to a season-ending Achilles injury.

There is better news on the defensive side. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who had finger surgery a couple of weeks ago, carries no injury designation and is set to play after full participation in practice all week. The timing is notable: Cleveland surrendered eight sacks last week against the New York Jets, and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-high 19 times this season. Minter said there is no risk of reinjury for Hendrickson.

We're always going to try to have the best interest of the player. The path that we went down was really in [Hendrickson]'s best interest, both short-term and long-term. [I'm] excited for him to be back out there.— Jesse Minter, Ravens Head Coach

Wide receivers Zay Flowers (toe) and Rashod Bateman (shoulder) are both without an injury designation and expected to play. Rookie receiver Ja'Kobi Lane, who fractured his wrist in Week 1, is listed as questionable after three full practice days and would need to be removed from injured reserve to suit up Sunday.

Cleveland's own injury report is significant. The Browns ruled out five players, including defensive tackles Mike Hall and Kalia Davis, quarterback Dillon Gabriel, guard Teven Jenkins, and running back Dylan Sampson. Defensive tackle Mason Graham — the team's sack leader with four — linebacker Carson Schwesinger, and lead running back Quinshon Judkins all returned to limited practice Friday and are listed as questionable.

For Jackson, the question now shifts to Week 7. Minter has not indicated a timeline, and the Ravens have shown no urgency to rush their franchise quarterback back — in large part because Huntley keeps winning.

Why it matters — With Jackson sidelined and the Ravens holding a slim AFC North lead, Sunday's game tests whether Baltimore's backup-driven winning streak can hold against a divisional rival — and how long the team can afford to wait for its franchise quarterback.

Reported by yahoo.com, cbssports.com, foxnews.com, baltimorebeatdown.com, tsn.ca, baltimoreravens.com