Lamar Jackson's injury looms largest for wounded Ravens against Texans

As if a 1-3 start wasn't bad enough, the Baltimore Ravens will now be without Lamar Jackson for this week's game. After missing this entire week of practice, the Ravens confirmed two-time MVP and three-time All-Pro quarterback Jackson will miss Sunday's game against the visiting Houston Texans (1-3) due to the hamstring injury he sustained in last week's loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. It'll be his first start missed due to injury since 2022. Unfortunately for the Ravens, Jackson is far from the only notable player who is out or questionable for Sunday's game. Cornerbacks Marlon Humphery (calf) and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) plus linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) will also miss the game against Houston. Safety Kyle Hamilton (groin), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and receiver Devontez Walker (oblique) are questionable. "We'll be working our way through the week with guys," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week. "… We'll get as many guys back as we can, but we're also preparing for not having some guys back. "That's what we'll prepare for, and we'll be ready to go and play our best game of the year." Cooper Rush is slated to start after replacing Jackson a week ago. Off the bench in the Ravens' 37-20 road loss to Kansas City, Rush completed nine of 13 passes for 52 yards without a touchdown or interception. Rush has started 14 of his 40 career games, including eight last season when he filled in for Dak Prescott with the Dallas Cowboys. He is 9-5 as a starter (including 4-4 in 2024), and his experience should help offset some of the myriad concerns that come with Jackson being unavailable. "Cooper is experienced; he's been in these situations before," Harbaugh said. "He's up to speed. He's been with us all the way back to the beginning. He's been in every practice, every meeting. He knows the offense, and he'll be ready to go." While the Texans are catching a break with Jackson sidelined, they still have ample concern for the numerous weapons Rush will have at his disposal. "They're still explosive players that Lamar is getting the football to," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "If Rush has to come in and play, he still has very capable guys to get the ball to. It really doesn't matter to us; we just have to be on the details when it comes to the defense and how we play. "We have to play our style, we have to rep our style every single snap, and we have to be on the details of our job. We have to play with awareness." The Texans earned their first victory last Sunday by blanking the Tennessee Titans 26-0. Rookie running back Woody Marks enjoyed a breakout performance (119 total yards, two touchdowns) against Tennessee and joined fellow rookies Aireontae Ersery, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in offering welcome support for a team that has scuffled scoring thus far this season. "I've seen the guys put their heads down (and) work," Ryans said. "They don't say much at all, but all of those guys … just continue to get better every week. And that's what you're seeing. You're seeing those guys mature right before our eyes. You're seeing them get more opportunities because of the trust that they've shown with the opportunities they've been given. "To see (the potential) come to life quickly here in the first month of the season, it's cool to see where their trajectory is going. We've got some really good young rookies, and they've got a promising future." Texans standout cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique) missed Wednesday's practice and was limited Thursday, but practiced in full Friday and has no status designation for the game, meaning he's good to go. Receiver Nico Collins (knee) is also good to go after he was limited Wednesday. The only Houston players out for Sunday are defensive tackles Denico Autry (knee) and Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) and safety Jaylen Reed (knee). –Field Level Media

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