Minter says Lamar Jackson day-to-day with ankle issue; Ravens’ front seven shows progress
Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Monday that quarterback Lamar Jackson is dealing with a minor ankle injury and that the team is still gathering imaging before determining his chances of playing Sunday night in Atlanta. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport reported Jackson is believed to be day-to-day. Jackson reportedly left M&T Bank Stadium in a protective walking boot after the game.
Minter would not give a timeline and said he has full trust and confidence in Jackson and that the team will move forward when Jackson is healthy and ready. Minter said he did not yet know Jackson’s chances of playing Sunday night. If Jackson cannot play, backup Tyler Huntley would step in; Huntley played well in the second half of Sunday’s game.
Minter said he felt better about the Ravens’ pass rush after reviewing game tape from the Week 4 win over Tennessee. Baltimore generated 18 pressures and five quarterback hits despite top pass rusher Trey Hendrickson being sidelined with a finger issue. Rookie Ethan Burke recorded his first career sack in the fourth quarter, and Nnamdi Madubuike led the club with six pressures while Mike Green had five.
He said the Titans frequently used seven-man protections to slow Baltimore’s front, which limited immediate sack chances. Minter added that the defense forced the quarterback to move often and that the team had multiple opportunities to finish sacks that it did not convert. He expects the pass rush to improve and stressed better finishing on future chances.
The Titans rushed for 85 yards and averaged 3.3 yards per carry, and Minter said the interior defensive line is rounding into form after missed time in camp and the preseason. Madubuike, Travis Jones and Calais Campbell have received more physical reps and Minter said their play is improving. Madubuike made a key play on fourth-and-goal at the two, stopping Tony Pollard for no gain to force a turnover on downs.
Minter addressed kicker Tyler Loop’s late miss from 40 yards and noted that Loop had earlier converted a 64-yard field goal, the longest in M&T Bank Stadium history, and had made a 56-yard game-winner in Week 3. He said the snap-to-hold operation on the missed kick could have been cleaner and that long snapper Nick Moore and holder Ryan Eckley would also own the execution. Minter said he did not expect the miss to shake Loop’s confidence.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Jackson’s day-to-day status creates short-term uncertainty but not panic because the Ravens have a capable backup in Tyler Huntley and the coaching staff will rely on medical evaluation for a quick decision. The tape-driven improvement in the pass rush, including 18 pressures and five quarterback hits without Trey Hendrickson, indicates the front seven can shoulder more of the defensive load if the offense must adjust. Special teams must clean up the snap-to-hold operation, but Loop’s long-range kicks this season suggest his confidence and range remain intact.