OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Lamar Jackson remains sidelined with a right hamstring injury as the Baltimore Ravens return from their bye.
Jackson did not practice Monday for the struggling Ravens, creating uncertainty over whether the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player will return for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
Last week, Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed hope that Jackson would return after missing the last two games due to injury. But Jackson was not on the field Monday for Baltimore’s first practice after his bye.
Harbaugh declined to talk specifically about Jackson when asked if he expected his Pro Bowl quarterback to practice this week.
“I think all the guys are working really hard to come back, I can tell you that,” Harbaugh said after Monday’s practice. “We’ll see who’s back and who’s training on Wednesday. I don’t want to comment on any specific guy.”
Asked if he expected Jackson to play Sunday, Harbaugh said, “Same answer.”
The Ravens (1-5) matched the worst start in the franchise’s 30-year history and are awaiting Jackson’s return to accelerate their midseason turnaround. In losing the two games Jackson missed this season, Baltimore faltered on offense with backup Cooper Rush totaling 13 points.
Jackson was one of three players who left the Ravens’ 37-20 loss at Kansas City because of a hamstring injury. Now, 22 days later, Jackson is the only one left on the sidelines. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie returned more than a week ago, and middle linebacker Roquan Smith returned Monday.
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, who is one of Jackson’s closest friends on the team, said he talks with Jackson every day, but he doesn’t know when Jackson will return.
“I don’t really know the situation, if I’m honest,” Flowers said. “If he is [playing]we will be ready to go.
Since 2018, Baltimore is 74-32 (.698), including the playoffs, with Jackson as the starting quarterback, averaging 28.1 points per game. Without Jackson during that span, the Ravens are 4-12 (.250), averaging 15.4 points per game.
With its slow start, Baltimore has a little margin for error moving forward. The Ravens’ odds of making the playoffs are 28.6 percent, according to ESPN Analytics.
“Everybody in our room definitely believes we can still do it and I believe we can,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said.
