Ravens Prepare for Falcons Game as Jackson Recovers From Ankle Injury

The Baltimore Ravens are preparing for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons without knowing whether quarterback Lamar Jackson will be available, as an uncommon ankle injury threatens his mobility and could force backup Tyler Huntley into the starting role. Jackson missed practice Wednesday and Thursday after leaving Baltimore's victory over the Tennessee Titans with an injured ankle, prompting the coaching staff to prepare alternative offensive plans.

According to reporting by The Banner and NFL.com, Jackson underwent an MRI on Monday after leaving the game in a protective boot. Coach Jesse Minter has not provided a definitive diagnosis or recovery timetable, although he indicated the quarterback was not expected to miss an extremely long period.

Jackson's injury occurred when Tennessee defensive end Jermaine Johnson attempted to tackle him from behind during a scramble late in the first half. Johnson missed Jackson's right foot but landed on his left, causing the ankle to twist outward.

Medical experts cited by The Banner said this movement can damage the medial deltoid ligament, which stabilizes the inner ankle. Unlike the more common inversion sprain, which affects the outside of the joint, an eversion injury can involve the stronger ligament on the inside.

Dr. Amiethab Aiyer, a professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explained that most ankle sprains affect the opposite side.

"Most people, when they are spraining their ankle, they are spraining the lateral side," Aiyer said.

A medial sprain can range from a mild stretch to a complete ligament tear. Aiyer said the extent of the damage, including whether the deep or superficial layers are affected, determines the degree of instability.

"The more of the ligament that is involved, whether it's the more superficial part of the deltoid, or the deep part, or both, that is what will help to dictate to what extent is the ankle increasingly unstable," Aiyer said.

More serious cases can also involve a high ankle sprain, affecting the syndesmosis, a group of ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula. Such injuries can require a recovery period exceeding a month.

Dr. Kyle Yost, an assistant professor of orthopedics and family medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said medial sprains generally take longer to heal than lower ankle sprains.

"You tend to be more conservative, a little bit, in the beginning," Yost said.

Jackson's MRI results are expected to help guide decisions about treatment, rehabilitation and his return to football activities. Aiyer, who is not involved in Jackson's treatment, warned that the Ravens should avoid rushing the quarterback back because of the team's immediate competitive goals.

"With momentum here, it would be very easy [for the Ravens] to say, 'Let's just go,'" Aiyer said.

He warned that returning before the injury has been adequately assessed could worsen the damage.

"Run the risk of making an injury, whatever it is right now, into a worse one," Aiyer said.

Aiyer said the decision requires coordination among the player, medical staff and coaches, particularly when determining whether Jackson can safely resume his normal workload.

"That is the very fine line that becomes a very important conversation between whoever the player is and their team physicians — and the coaches, for that matter — about, 'Hey, how do we get this player back on the field?' … I think that's really the tough call here," Aiyer said.

Yost said Jackson's mobility could remain limited during recovery, particularly his ability to accelerate and generate explosive movement. Those limitations could affect the quarterback's effectiveness even if he is cleared to play.

"For a while," Yost said of how long Jackson's mobility could be affected.

Yost explained that explosive movement is often compromised by injuries affecting the inner ankle.

"That's what really kind of gets zapped a lot of times with these ankle sprains on the medial side, is your explosiveness," Yost said.

Although Minter indicated Jackson could play without practicing, Aiyer said a gradual return would help establish whether the quarterback could safely perform the movements required in a game.

"OK, this is what you need to do. This is how you need to do it," Aiyer said.

Yost emphasized that medical staff should assess Jackson's ability to tolerate the physical demands before approving his return.

"You want to make sure that he's doing well and that he'll tolerate the load before you send him back," Yost said.

He also warned against returning the quarterback prematurely.

"You don't want to make it worse or send him back too early," Yost said.

Jackson's availability has particular importance because Baltimore's offense relies on his passing ability and mobility. The Ravens went 6-11 in games he missed since his first full season as the starting quarterback in 2019, according to NFL.com.

Last season, injuries limited Jackson to 13 games and career-low rushing numbers. The latest ankle problem raises questions about whether he can resume his usual playing style against an Atlanta defense that has been especially effective against the run.

With Jackson's status uncertain, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has prepared separate approaches for both quarterbacks. Doyle said the team's broader offensive principles would remain consistent, although the play selection would depend on who starts.

"They have a lot of confidence in him," Doyle said of Huntley and the confidence shared by Baltimore's teammates.

Doyle also expressed confidence in Huntley's ability to operate the offense.

"I have a lot of confidence in him to be able to operate the system," Doyle said.

The coordinator said the team's expectations would not change because of the quarterback situation.

"I don't think the mentality of how you want to run the offense changes at all. You're trying to hunt explosives. The standard is still the standard regardless of who's in there and that can't change," Doyle said.

Doyle said his preparation includes plans for different personnel situations, drawing on his experience preparing for a game in Brazil when wide receiver Zay Flowers' hamstring injury threatened his availability. Flowers eventually played under a snap limitation and caught five passes for 84 yards, including a 27-yard reception that set up Tyler Loop's game-winning field goal.

"I went into that gameplan with literally two different call sheets," Doyle said.

He described the importance of preparing for both possible lineups.

"One with Zay rolling and one without him. I think that's how you have to shape it. Guys that are worth game planning around, you've got to have a plan with them and without them," Doyle said.

Doyle said Jackson's health would determine which plays the coaching staff could reasonably call.

"You have to go down this avenue like, 'Ok, if Snoop's (Huntley) going, this is the way I want to call it. If L's (Jackson) going … if he's banged up, I may not want to do certain things with him," Doyle said.

Huntley has previously demonstrated that he can direct Baltimore's offense when Jackson is unavailable. In Week 17 last season, Huntley completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in a 41-24 win over Green Bay that kept the Ravens' playoff hopes alive.

Running back Derrick Henry praised Huntley's performance in that game.

"Did you watch the Green Bay game last year?" Henry said when asked about Huntley's ability.

Henry encouraged observers to review the quarterback's performance.

"Put the tape on. It will tell you," Henry said.

Doyle also recalled Huntley's performance against the Chicago Bears when Doyle was Chicago's offensive coordinator. Baltimore won 30-16, with Huntley completing 17 of 22 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He added 53 rushing yards on eight carries.

"Snoop did a great job in that game," Doyle said.

The coordinator said Huntley's performance helped Baltimore during a difficult stretch early in the season.

"The Ravens hadn't had a ton of success early in the season and were kind of reeling a little bit. Snoop played in that game and was kind of a rallying cry. Every time I looked up, he was making a play," Doyle said.

Minter also recognized the difference between Jackson's unique abilities and Huntley's strengths as a backup. The first-year coach said Huntley had shown that he could run the offense and contribute with his legs, particularly on third downs.

"I mean, look, there is only one Lamar Jackson," Minter said.

Minter said Huntley remained capable of stepping into the starting role when needed.

"I think Snoop as a backup quarterback in this league, and even as a starter at times, has shown the ability to come in and really kind of run the offense, make plays with his legs and be able to make plays on third down," Minter said.

The coach also praised Huntley's temperament under pressure.

"He has kind of got a really cool, good mentality to be that guy," Minter said.

Minter said Huntley's composure was an important part of his readiness to play.

"He does not really get bothered, and so he keeps a pretty cool head about himself. He does not feel pressure too much. [He] does not feel pressure too much. And to me, when a guy is needed to go in there, and he has that type of mentality, that is what allows him to be successful," Minter said.

Henry is also preparing for a difficult matchup against Atlanta's defense, which had allowed 48.3 rushing yards per game through the first four games, according to the Ravens' team report. Despite his own standing among the league's running backs, Henry singled out Falcons running back Bijan Robinson as the NFL's best at present.

"He's the best in the game right now, he's doing it all," Henry said.

Henry praised Robinson's ability to produce within the offensive system and create opportunities when plays break down.

"Disruptive, get to the ball, willing tacklers, blitzes," Henry said of Atlanta's defensive approach.

Baltimore has also strengthened its offensive line by acquiring veteran center Cam Jurgens in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. According to the Ravens, the deal sent a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Jurgens and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

Offensive line coach and run game coordinator Dwayne Ledford welcomed the addition, pointing to Jurgens' leadership and athleticism as important qualities for Baltimore's offense.

"You are really the voice of the offense up there," Ledford said.

Ledford said the center's responsibilities extend beyond individual blocking assignments.

"Secondly, the thing that really stands out is his athleticism. It's a really great fit for what we want to do offensively," Ledford said.

He credited the Ravens' leadership group for completing the acquisition.

"My hat is off to everyone involved in getting this done and bringing a player like Cam, bringing him along here with the guys that we have, because I love the addition," Ledford said.

Atlanta also faces injury concerns ahead of Sunday's game. The Falcons listed defensive end Za'Darius Smith, linebacker Divine Deablo, defensive end Samson Ebukam and left tackle Jake Matthews as questionable on Friday, October 9. Linebacker Yasir Abdullah was listed as doubtful because of a hamstring injury.

Smith is dealing with a concussion and neck injury, while Deablo and Ebukam have hamstring problems. Matthews injured his groin during Atlanta's win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night and left that game without returning.

Matthews progressed from not participating in Wednesday's estimated practice report to limited participation Thursday and full participation Friday. The improvement offered a positive indication ahead of the matchup, although his availability remained uncertain.

Michael Jerrell and Cam Thomas also appeared on Atlanta's Friday injury report, with both participating fully despite ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively. The Ravens and Falcons are scheduled to meet Sunday night in Week 5, with Jackson's status remaining the central question for Baltimore's offensive preparations.