The free-falling Baltimore Ravens (1-4) could have a mighty tough time regaining their equilibrium heading into Sunday's showdown with the Los Angeles Rams (3-2), as they will officially be without their franchise cornerstone for another week. Lamar Jackson has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The two-time MVP quarterback joins linebacker Roquan Smith, offensive tackle Emery Jones, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and fullback Patrick Ricard on the list of inactive Ravens players. Veteran backup Cooper Rush will make his second straight start under center in place of Jackson. He completed 14-of-20 passes and tossed an alarming three interceptions in a 44-10 home loss versus the Houston Texans.
Baltimore's coaching staff must simplify the game plan for Rush and limit turnovers, which will not be easy against a ferocious Rams pass-rushing attack that includes Jared Verse, Byron Young and Kobie Turner. The Ravens must feed off the support from the M&T Bank Stadium crowd, something they failed to do last Sunday, otherwise an upset win is difficult to fathom.
Obviously, it is quite hard to have optimism when No. 8 is stuck on the sidelines. Much is discussed about Jackson's shortcomings in the playoffs, but the dual-threat QB is a huge reason why Baltimore is a frequent postseason participant. He has a 71.6 completion percentage, 869 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns, while also rushing for 166 yards through four games this season.
Ideally, Lamar Jackson will return to the field after the Ravens' Week 7 Bye. If Cooper Rush can stun the Rams, who have been shaky in late-game situations, Baltimore will feel reinvigorated moving through the middle section of its schedule.
