Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice Wednesday, giving his team a big scare ahead of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.
Josh Johnson led the team in Wednesday’s practice. It’s unclear exactly what Jackson’s problem is, but there were reports of a groin issue that hampered him in last weekend’s 29-24 upset loss to the Cleveland Browns.
The Ravens are 5-3 after that loss to their division rivals, but many have pegged them as Super Bowl contenders, thanks in large part to Jackson’s form this season.
He has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,099 yards with 17 touchdowns and two interceptions so far this season. He also rushed for 501 yards with two touchdowns.
It’s the best passing season of his career to date for two-time MVP Jackson.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed Baltimore Ravens practice Wednesday
Jackson played the entire game Sunday in his team’s surprising loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Last season, the Ravens lost the AFC Championship game to the eventual Super Bowl winners, the Kansas City Chiefs.
But this season, with Jackson boosted by the arrival of running back Derrick Henry, the Ravens have been many people’s choice to go all the way this time.
Speaking after Sunday’s loss, Jackson said: “This is the NFL. Any given Sunday a team can be good. We just have to play better everywhere.
‘We didn’t make the plays. “We didn’t make the necessary decisions to win the game, we left a lot of opportunities out there.”
In more encouraging news for the Ravens, it was the first practice for new wide receiver Diontae Johnson after Baltimore acquired him from the Carolina Panthers.
The Ravens acquired Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round pick on Tuesday from the Carolina Panthers for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Now, coach John Harbaugh just needs him to be able to practice with his No. 1 quarterback.