1. Current Status: Ruled Out for Sunday
As of the latest updates, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will not play this Sunday. He has been officially ruled out for Week 8 against the Chicago Bears due to a right hamstring injury.
Here are the key points:
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Jackson injured his right hamstring in Week 4 and has missed the last two games. He returned to limited practice, including a session where it appeared he was participating fully—only to later be downgraded.
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On Friday’s practice, Jackson was initially listed as a full participant, but the team later changed it to “limited” after the realization that he only rep’d with the scout team.
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On Saturday, the Ravens announced he was officially ruled out for Sunday’s game with the Bears.
2. Why the Decision Was Made
a) Hamstring Injury Persistence
Jackson’s hamstring issue has lingered:
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The hamstring injury occurred in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs and has kept him sidelined for multiple games.
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Even after being on the field again, he didn’t take normal starter reps, which delayed his return timeline.
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Ravens coach John Harbaugh indicated that the team waited until the last possible practice session before making the call.
b) Practice Participation Confusion
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Jackson’s Friday practice status created controversy: though initially “full participant,” it was later revised. The team acknowledged he participated fully but only on the scout team—not with starters.
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Under NFL rules: “A player who participates in individual drills, but for medical reasons does not take his normal repetitions during the team portion of practice … must be listed as ‘Limited Participation.’”
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The retroactive change triggered the league’s attention and possible investigation into the injury-report handling.
3. What This Means for the Ravens
Offensively
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Jackson is the engine of the Baltimore offense — when healthy, he both passes and rushes at a high level. His absence creates a major drop in offensive potency.
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Without Jackson, the Ravens have struggled: in his absence they were out-scored 61-13 across two games.
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Backup options: With Jackson out, the Ravens have turned to Tyler Huntley to start. Coach Harbaugh and the front office must adjust game plans, scheme, play-calling accordingly.
Team Outlook
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The Ravens enter Week 8 with an already poor record (1-5) and Jackson out — the margin for error diminishes further. Their playoff hopes become more challenging without him.
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Having their franchise QB unavailable also impacts morale, momentum and the team’s identity — particularly with Jackson previously playing at an MVP-caliber level.
Fantasy Football / Betting Implications
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For fantasy managers: Jackson’s ruling out means shifting focus to other QB options and adjusting your roster accordingly.
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Betting lines and odds: The quarterback change has implications for Ravens win-probability, total points, spread, etc. The league reviewing injury-report mishandling may also influence integrity perceptions.
4. Return Timeline: When Could Jackson Be Back?
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The Ravens are hopeful Jackson will return in Week 9, playing on Thursday night vs. the Miami Dolphins.
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The fact that he was on the practice field in limited reps is a positive, but the key is starters reps and full participation before clearance.
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The hamstring injuries are tricky — returning too early risks re-injury which could sideline him longer. The team seems erring on the side of caution.
5. Historical Context: Lamar Jackson’s Injury & Availability
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Jackson has been historically durable relative to mobility-QBs, but hamstring injuries are particularly risky for a player whose game involves high-end rushing and dynamic movement.
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Earlier in the season Jackson missed a preseason game (the opener) for strategic rest, as the team preserved him rather than due to injury.
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His 2025 season has been strong when healthy: 869 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, strong QBR, before injury intervened.
6. FAQs
Q: Is Lamar Jackson playing today?
A: No — he has been officially ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Chicago Bears due to a lingering hamstring injury.
Q: Why isn’t he playing?
A: The hamstring injury has not healed sufficiently to allow him to take full starter reps; despite being on the field, he did not practice normally with the first-string offense, prompting caution.
Q: Who is starting in his place?
A: Backup QB Tyler Huntley is expected to start in Jackson’s absence.
Q: When will he return?
A: Current expectation points to Week 9, facing the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, assuming no setbacks in rehab.
Q: How solid is this information?
A: The ruling-out is official via multiple reputable outlets and the Ravens’ announcement. The return timeline is projection, not guarantee.
7. Final Takeaways
The bottom line: Lamar Jackson is not playing this Sunday due to ongoing hamstring injury issues and corresponding limited practice participation. His absence is significant for the Ravens’ offense, and the team must adapt quickly. While a return is projected for the near future, the priority appears to be ensuring full health rather than rushing him back. Fantasy players, bettors and Ravens fans alike should adjust expectations accordingly and monitor official practice reports and updates as the season progresses.
