Things continue to go from bad to worse for the Baltimore Ravens as injuries remain a constant roadblock in their 2025 Super Bowl hopes.
Arguably the most essential piece out of the lineup, quarterback Lamar Jackson has yet to play a game since Sept. 28. Coming off their bye week, many had hoped the two-time MVP would return in Week 8 to face the Chicago Bears at home.
With that time now just five days away, the news is less than ideal for Jackson and Ravens faithful.
Baltimore Ravens Face Mounting Pressure as Injuries Derail Championship Aspirations
Pinned as Super Bowl candidates before the 2025 season, the Ravens were riding high with a championship-caliber roster. Now, seven weeks into the season, Baltimore is a five loss team, begging for injured players to return immediately.
While the defensive side of the ball far trumps offense in terms of the quantity of injuries, no man trumps the quality of injury than Jackson. As Baltimore resumed practice Monday following the bye, the NFLs all-time leading rusher by a quarterback was nowhere to be found.
QB Lamar Jackson remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The 2-time NFL MVP did not participate in Monday’s practice, which was the Ravens’ first one since coming off the bye.
Jackson hasn’t suited up since injuring his hamstring in Kansas City on Sept. 28.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 20, 2025
The news comes from Ravens reporter, Jamison Hensley, who shared the troublesome update on X.
“The 2-time NFL MVP did not participate in Monday’s practice, which was the Ravens’ first one since coming off the bye,” Hensley reported.
While his absence Monday does not necessarily rule him out for Sunday’s tilt, the early week news is the last thing Ravens fans wanted to hear.
Head coach John Harbaugh would not say whether or not the three-time Pro-Bowler would practice Wednesday, keeping his status as “questionable” for the foreseeable future.
Ravens in Dire Need of Win Regardless of Lamar Jackson Availability
Since he went down, Baltimore is 0-3 and has a point differential of -65. It is undeniable that the Louisville product drives the offense and majority of Baltimore’s performances. However, their atrocious defensive outings spell trouble even when the superstar gunslinger returns.
The ugly performances place Zach Orr’s defense dead last in the NFL according to PFSN’s Defense Impact metric. With a 59.3 score and an F grade, it is a complete switch from the ninth ranked defensive unit in 2024.
Once again, the defensive struggles come massively due to the clubs injuries. Some of their injured defensive stars (Roquan Smith and Chidobe Awuzie) did return to practice Monday, anxiously awaiting their opportunity to help the struggling unit.
“The bye week was awesome. I think it came at the right time for us as a team, for myself as well getting back healthy,” Smith said. “It’s major for us, for sure.”
The Bears and Ravens kickoff from M&T Bank Stadium at 1 p.m. EST Sunday. For more on Jackson’s status along with players like Smith and Awuzie, fans will have to check back in as the week progresses.
