Source: Baltimore Sun
Summary
The Baltimore Ravens have ruled out Lamar Jackson for their Week 5 game against the Falcons, with Tyler Huntley set to make his first start of the season. Jackson is sidelined with an ankle injury from the Week 4 loss to the Titans. Huntley has a 5-6 record in 12 starts for the Ravens. The Falcons defeated the Saints 45-24, with Michael Penix Jr. throwing for 223 yards and a touchdown. Huntley last started for Baltimore on Jan. 4, leading them to a win over the Packers. The Ravens will face the Falcons again on Sunday, with Huntley looking to replicate his 2022 performance.
Our Reading
The game followed a familiar script.
Jackson’s injury was inevitable, not a surprise.
Huntley gets another shot, same as always.
Falcons look sharp, Ravens look fragile.
Another week, another backup trying to hold it together.
Backup Culture
The Ravens have built their season around Lamar Jackson, but when he’s down, they turn to Tyler Huntley. It’s a pattern that’s repeated itself for years. Jackson’s absence is never a surprise, just a delay. The team’s reliance on a backup quarterback is not a weakness, it’s a system. Every year, they plan for it, and every year, they hope it works out.
Injury Cycles
The Ravens’ injury list is as long as it is predictable. Wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Zay Flowers have been dealing with injuries all season. Lane remains on injured reserve with a fractured wrist, while Flowers has returned from a hamstring issue. These are not new problems. They’re part of the Ravens’ season-long struggle to keep their offense intact.
Penix’s Moment
Michael Penix Jr. had a strong performance against the Saints, throwing for 223 yards and a touchdown. His 15-of-20 completion rate shows he’s capable of leading a high-powered offense. The Falcons are coming off a big win, and they’ll be looking to build on that momentum. Their defense is a challenge, and the Ravens will need to find a way to counter it.
Huntley’s Track Record
Tyler Huntley has started 12 games for the Ravens over six seasons, with a 5-6 record. His last start was in January, when he led the Ravens to a win over the Packers. That game was a long time ago, and the team has changed since then. Huntley’s performance against the Falcons will be a test of his growth, or lack thereof.
Old Rivalry, New Challenge
The last time the Ravens faced the Falcons, Huntley started and won. That was in 2022, and it was a different team, a different coach, a different quarterback. Now, the Ravens are in a new situation, and the Falcons are a different team too. The challenge is the same, but the stakes are higher. Huntley will need to prove he can handle it.
