Why Lamar Jackson didn’t play for the Ravens in Week 11 versus the Bears
The Ravens are looking to bounce back in Week 11 from an embarrassing loss in “Thursday Night Football” to the Dolphins last week. They will have to do it without Lamar Jackson.
The team’s star defender was listed as “questionable” during the Ravens’ game against the Bears as he faced an illness. He trained for the team on Friday, but over the weekend his symptoms worsened. He went to Soldier Field on Sunday to see if he could make his way into game shape, but was unable to do so.
As a result, Raven will have to win for the first time without Jackson since he missed a game against the Steelers last season after testing positive for COVID-19.
Here’s everything you need to know about Jackson’s absence, illness and who will replace him in the Ravens’ starting lineup.
WEEK 11 STANDARD RATINGS:
Midfielder | Run back | Wide receiver | Tight ending | VND / ST | Kicker
Why is Lamar Jackson fighting the Bears?
Jackson won’t start Raven when he’s facing a non-COVID-related illness.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jackson is dealing with “a virus so bad that he is not simply himself. “Jackson traveled with Raven to Chicago, but didn’t feel well enough to play.
Lamar Jackson is dealing with a virus so bad that he’s not simply himself. He flew to Chicago and tried to stay hydrated. But it was too much. He went out. https://t.co/gJayep60kC
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 21, 2021
Jackson missed practice Wednesday and Thursday because of illness, but was listed as a full participant in Friday’s rehearsal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that Jackson is “50-50” to play in Week 11, so he’s really a question mark for the game.
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Has Lamar Jackson been vaccinated?
Jackson’s vaccination status is unclear. He dealt with COVID during the 2020 NFL season and contracted it again in the summer of 2021. He came back after that second with the virus in early August, but has since not talking about vaccinations. In early September, he refused to disclose his condition before Week 1.
“I want to keep that between me and my family and the doctors,” Jackson told reporters. “That is all.”
So it’s still unclear if Jackson was vaccinated. However, Jackson has tested negative for COVID-19, according to Rapoport, so the absence is unrelated to the NFL’s COVID protocols. He doesn’t feel well enough to play.
NS #Ravens and their medical staff examined Lamar Jackson. It’s not COVID. But the exact virus has yet to be identified. It is not the flu. But it was serious enough to make him feel horrible. He is not well enough to go. https://t.co/gJayep60kC
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 21, 2021
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Who is Lamar Jackson’s backup quarterback?
Tyler Huntley is the Ravens reserve midfielder. He’s a sophomore who dropped out of Utah in the 2020 NFL Draft. Huntley has never started a game, but has completed eight of his 16 career 54-meter passes. He also ran for 33 yards on 13 executions.
That said, Huntley has been excellent for the Ravens in pre-season. He completed 60 of 83 passes (72.3 percent) for 551 yards of passes, four touchdowns and just one interception. That’s how mobile, 6-1 passers get their primary backup job after Jackson.
Trace McSorley, a 2019 sixth-round pick from Penn State, will act as backup for Huntley.