The Baltimore Ravens have struggled in 2025. The perennial contender has lost four straight games, falling to 1-5 on the season and last place in the AFC North. Baltimore went just 1-3 with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson on the field, so it’s not surprising that the Ravens’ slide continued with backup Cooper Rush stepping in.
After sitting out back-to-back games and having Baltimore’s Week 7 bye for extra rest, Jackson was expected to return in Week 8. However, the outlook surrounding the All-Pro passer is less certain as the original target date approaches. Head coach John Harbaugh was, once again, evasive when asked if he anticipated Jackson practicing this week.
“I think all the guys are working really hard to get back. I can tell you that. We’ll see who’s back and who practices on Wednesday. I don’t really want to comment on any individual guys per se,” Harbaugh said, per WNST Baltimore Positive’s Luke Jones.
Can the Ravens recover from their rocky start in 2025? The response from the coaching staff is very much in line with Harbaugh’s usual player updates. However, Jackson missed the Ravens’ practice on Monday, leading to further concern. It was Baltimore’s first practice since returning from the bye as the team prepares to host the Chicago Bears amid a four-game losing streak.
Jackson initially injured his hamstring in Week 4’s 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. If he’s forced to sit out Week 8’s contest, the injury will have sidelined him for over a month.
Despite the 1-3 record as a starter, Jackson has once again played well in 2025. His 71.6% completion percentage through four games would be a career-best mark if maintained for a full season. He has 10 touchdown passes and only one interception this year. However, Jackson is averaging just 217 passing yards per game.
The Ravens’ running game has also struggled this season. In 2024, Baltimore finished atop the league in rushing offense, averaging 188 yards per contest. This year, the Ravens are 10th in the NFL with 126.2 rushing yards per game.
Clearly, some of the offensive struggles are on Cooper Rush, who has played poorly in Jackson’s absence. Additionally, the Ravens’ defense—long a staple of the organization—has been a major liability in 2025. Baltimore currently boasts the 30th overall defense in football after the first seven games of the season.
As the Ravens look ahead, the return of Lamar Jackson could be pivotal. But with injury concerns lingering and team performance faltering, Baltimore faces a challenging road to regain its status as a contender in the AFC North.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/ravens-news-john-harbaugh-refuses-commit-lamar-jackson-practicing-week-8
