Ravens coach John Harbaugh remained confident Monday that two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson will play Sunday against the Bears, but Jackson didn’t practice Monday.
He suffered a hamstring injury in the Ravens’ Sept. 28 loss to the Chiefs, and the Ravens used quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Tyler Huntley in losses to the Texans and Rams. Those two combined for a 42.4 passer rating in his absence.
The Ravens were off last week, and ahead of that Harbaugh said he anticipated Jackson and linebacker Roquan Smith returning from hamstring injuries for their home game against the Bears. When asked about Jackson’s status after missing practice, Harbaugh said, “Same answer,” referring to what his expectation last week. Smith, meanwhile, practiced Monday.
Jackson, who was runner-up for MVP last season, was off to a tremendous start despite the Ravens’ losses. In four games, he completed 71.6% of his passes, averaged 217.3 yards per game and threw 10 touchdown passes and one interception for a 130.5 passer rating. He also rushed for 41.5 yards per game.
Bears coach Ben Johnson said Monday afternoon he hadn’t started preparation for the Ravens and planned to start scouting them that evening after finishing his review of the Bears’ 26-14 win over the Saints.
Jackson is in his eighth season, but has never faced the Bears. In the lone Bears-Ravens matchup during his career, a 2021 game at Soldier Field, Jackson was a late scratch due to illness, and Huntley led the Ravens to a 16-13 victory.