The head coach, John Harbaugh, has a quarterback situation that’s the headline, but not for the reasons Baltimore Ravens fans want. The Ravens are stumbling through the season with a 1-4 record, and the question looming large: who leads this offense when Lamar Jackson can’t?

But Harbaugh made it clear: Cooper Rush will start if Jackson can’t suit up. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, “Harbaugh said that Cooper Rush would be the starter if/when Lamar can’t go.” Lamar is still sidelined, nursing a hamstring injury from Week 4. He hasn’t practiced since then and is expected to miss at least a couple more weeks.

This leaves Rush to carry Baltimore against the Los Angeles Rams. But Rush isn’t exactly a rookie fresh off the practice squad. He spent seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, starting 14 games with a decent 9-5 record.  

Last week’s game against the Houston Texans saw him complete 14 of 20 passes for 179 yards, though it came with the headache of three interceptions. Not the kind of stat line any starter dreams about, but considering the circumstances, Harbaugh is clearly putting faith in Rush’s experience to steady the ship.

Rush’s confidence doesn’t come out of nowhere. He’s been in this spot before, stepping up when his team’s star quarterback went down. “Whenever a franchise QB goes down, it’s always a ‘sky is falling’ feeling everywhere you are,” Rush said.

“It’s normal, and if you have to go out there on Sunday and do what you have to do, it’s nice knowing you had a whole week to prep for it, so things like that are good.” Importantly, Lamar Jackson has been right there with him, offering input and helping him prepare.

Harbaugh hasn’t ruled out other options like Tyler Huntley, but right now, Rush is the man in the spotlight. Meanwhile, losing Jackson has been a punch in the gut for Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson’s out, and John Harbaugh is feeling every bit of it

The two-time MVP has been the offensive catalyst for years. The moment he went down in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, cracks started to show. The team’s 44-10 home loss to Houston the next week wasn’t just a loss; it was a statement about how much Jackson fuels the Ravens’ engine.

The hamstring injury is no one-week wonder. Such injuries demand patience; rushing back risks bigger damage. The Ravens have held off placing him on injured reserve, a hopeful sign they’re shooting for a return as soon as he is truly ready. The Ravens hope the Week 7 bye lets Lamar heal enough to return in Week 8.

While Jackson mends, Rush and the offense are under the microscope. Baltimore ranks third in points per game with 32.8, but sustaining that without Jackson’s presence looks like a stretch. The Texans game showed the offense can’t quite hit the mark with Rush, throwing three picks and lacking Jackson’s threat as a runner and thrower.

The Ravens’ 1-4 record reveals a team struggling with identity and execution. Injuries to key players like Roquan Smith and Devontez Walker only deepen the hole. For now, Cooper Rush is the interim voice calling the signals, hoping to silence the doubters and keep Baltimore’s playoff hopes alive.