Minter: Lamar Jackson Making Progress; Jurgens Nearing Clearance, Loop’s Miss Draws Scrutiny
BALTIMORE — Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said Monday that quarterback Lamar Jackson has made progress recovering from the ankle injury he suffered in Week 4 but remains a day-to-day decision ahead of Sunday’s AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Minter said the team will have a clearer picture Wednesday when the Ravens return to practice and that Jackson “potentially” could practice, though he stopped short of declaring him ready to play. Baltimore is 4-2 and Cincinnati is 3-2. This report is based on Clifton Brown of BaltimoreRavens.com, Oct. 19, 2026.
Jackson has watched the last two games from the sideline, including an overtime victory at Atlanta and a 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Minter praised Jackson for working hard to get back on the field and for supporting backup Tyler Huntley during his starts. The coach said Jackson’s return would have the greatest impact on the offense when he is able to play.
Minter said center Cam Jurgens, acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, made progress over the weekend in concussion protocol and could make his Ravens debut against the Bengals. Jurgens has been sidelined for two games since the trade, and his return would allow rookie Vega Ioane to move back to his natural position at right guard after starting three games at center. Minter said the final clearance could come “today or tomorrow” and called the possibility encouraging.
Outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson returned from a two-game absence with a finger issue and finished with eight pressures and a sack, which Minter described as a positive sign in how Hendrickson handled the injury. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman did not return after leaving Sunday’s game in the second quarter with a shoulder issue, though Minter expressed optimism about his condition moving forward. The coach said the team continues to monitor multiple players as it evaluates depth for the coming week.
Minter called Tyler Loop’s missed 49-yard field goal against Cleveland a “critical” miss that altered momentum late in the game. Loop has converted 10 of 13 field-goal attempts this season and kicked a 56-yarder in overtime to beat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 in Rio de Janeiro. Minter emphasized that the kicking position is results driven and did not rule out adding a kicker to create competition, as the team did with Jake Moody at the conclusion of the preseason.
Minter addressed a 33-yard completion from Deshaun Watson to Jerry Jeudy on third-and-5 that set up the Browns’ game-winning field goal and declined to single out any individual player. He said multiple factors based on the coverage contributed and that the Ravens must find a better blend of aggressiveness and coverage discipline. Minter added that the team believes it has playmakers in the secondary but must adjust how it deploys coverages to produce more stops.
The Ravens enter the week weighing Jackson’s availability, a possible debut for Jurgens that would reshuffle the offensive line, and how to address late-game kicking consistency after a 13-10 loss in Cleveland. The game is a pivotal AFC North matchup for Baltimore’s playoff positioning. Minter said the team will continue to confront issues directly as it prepares for Cincinnati and expects to have more information following midweek practice.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Lamar Jackson being listed as day-to-day keeps the Ravens’ short-term plan in flux and likely means Tyler Huntley will remain the emergency starter unless Jackson returns to practice midweek. Cam Jurgens’ potential clearance would be a tangible roster upgrade: a settled center would allow Vega Ioane to move back to right guard and could improve interior line continuity. That kind of stability up front would help the offense whether Jackson returns immediately or on a short timeline.
Trey Hendrickson’s immediate impact after returning suggests the pass rush can weather minor injuries, but Tyler Loop’s missed 49-yarder highlights an area that could swing close games. With Loop 10 of 13 on the season, the Ravens face a choice between continued internal support and adding competition to force greater consistency. The team must balance confidence in its kicker with the practical, results-driven nature of the position.
The coverage breakdown on Jeudy’s long conversion underscores that Baltimore’s late-game defensive adjustments and third-down strategy will be central to whether it can convert tight losses into wins in a competitive AFC North. The Ravens have playmakers in the secondary, but finding the right blend of aggression and discipline on third down is essential. Those adjustments may determine how the Ravens close out close games the rest of the season.