The Baltimore Ravens are staring down a must-win situation this Saturday against the Green Bay Packers-and they might have to do it without their franchise quarterback. Lamar Jackson is officially doubtful with a back injury, and unless something changes dramatically, it’ll be Tyler Huntley under center for a Ravens team clinging to postseason hopes.
Jackson suffered a back contusion in last Sunday’s 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots, a game that dealt a blow to Baltimore’s playoff chances and, apparently, to Jackson’s health as well. The injury appeared to come at the tail end of a short run, when Patriots safety Craig Woodson’s knee collided with Jackson’s left side. Since then, it’s been all rehab and no reps-Jackson didn’t practice at all this week.
Head coach John Harbaugh called Jackson’s condition “day-to-day,” but also acknowledged that the symptoms have been “significant” and “painful.” That’s not the kind of language that suggests a quick return, especially with just days before kickoff.
This is far from the first time injuries have disrupted Jackson’s 2025 season. He missed three games in October with a hamstring issue and has been limited in practice for weeks with a laundry list of lower-body ailments-knee, ankle, and toe. It’s been a grind, and it’s taken a toll on his performance.
Statistically, this isn’t the Lamar Jackson we’re used to seeing. He’s averaging just 192.6 passing yards per game, which puts him in the bottom tier of NFL starters.
And his trademark explosiveness on the ground? That’s been muted too.
At 28.3 rushing yards per game, he’s on pace for the lowest rushing average of his eight-year career. For a player who’s built his legacy on dual-threat dominance, those numbers reflect a quarterback who’s clearly been playing through pain-and now may not be able to play at all.
Enter Tyler Huntley, who’s been in this position before. He’s no stranger to stepping in late in the season with the Ravens’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance. While he doesn’t bring the same dynamic threat as Jackson, Huntley has shown he can manage the offense and keep the Ravens competitive.
Baltimore’s path to the playoffs is narrow but still open. They need to win both of their remaining games and get some help from Pittsburgh, who must lose their final two.
Conveniently-or perhaps ominously-those two teams meet in Week 18. But first, the Ravens have to get past a Packers team that’s also fighting for its postseason life.
Green Bay has its own quarterback uncertainty. Both Jordan Love (concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder) are listed as questionable, leaving the Packers with more questions than answers under center.
Neither team has locked in a playoff berth, and both are battling injuries at the game’s most important position. Saturday’s game is shaping up to be a gritty, high-stakes showdown between two teams trying to stay alive.
For the Ravens, it might come down to whether Huntley can steady the ship-and whether their defense can carry the load-while Lamar Jackson tries to heal up in time for what could be a win-or-go-home finale against the Steelers.