Tyler Huntley to Start for Ravens in Atlanta; Ja’Kobi Lane, Nick Vannett, Zion Young Status Updated
Tyler Huntley will start Sunday night for the Baltimore Ravens in Atlanta while Lamar Jackson manages an ankle injury, the team announced Friday. Huntley was told on Friday that he would be the starter and will make his 17th regular-season start. The move hands the Ravens a veteran option under center for the Sunday Night Football national stage.
Huntley said stepping in feels “just like riding a bike” and that preparing all week helped him regain comfort in the role. He was under center for two of the Ravens’ most important victories last season, against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Jackson is unique to the offense but added the team will build around the players available and expects Huntley to play well.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and the Ravens tailored a game plan to Huntley’s skill set heading into the matchup. The Falcons rank first against the run (48.3 yards per game) and 30th against the pass (264.8 yards per game). Those splits should influence Baltimore’s play-calling and place a premium on protecting Huntley and limiting turnovers.
Rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane remains on injured reserve after wrist surgery and will be eligible to return next week against the Cleveland Browns. Lane will miss his fourth regular-season game on Sunday, the minimum stay for IR, after landing on the list following Week 1. He impressed in training camp and the preseason and had a touchdown called back in his NFL debut in Indianapolis because of a holding penalty.
The Ravens moved veteran tight end Nick Vannett from the practice squad to the 53-man roster after Durham Smythe was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury. Vannett said he has embraced the role of a blocking tight end and plans to play with force and a willingness to dominate at the line of scrimmage. The 11-year veteran noted that attitude and technique have allowed him to sustain a long career.
Rookie outside linebacker Zion Young, who grew up in Atlanta, said he is excited to play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and wants to “fly around.” Young has seen his defensive snap share rise in each game this season, playing 39 percent of defensive snaps last week against the Tennessee Titans and recording eight tackles through four games. His increased role provides depth on the edge as the Ravens aim to maintain momentum without Jackson at full strength.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Tyler Huntley’s experience gives Baltimore a steady option while Lamar Jackson manages an ankle injury, and the Ravens will ask him to manage the game and take advantage of Atlanta’s pass-defense vulnerabilities. The Falcons’ stark run-pass split should shape Baltimore’s play-calling, making protection and ball security critical. The roster moves — Vannett’s promotion to replace Smythe and Lane nearing IR eligibility — underscore the Ravens’ short-term focus on blocking and veteran depth. Zion Young’s growing snap share signals continuity on defense, but clean execution will determine whether Huntley can lead a road win on Sunday night.