Quarterback Lamar Jackson’s health has been at the heart of his team’s concerns, and the timing couldn’t be worse. With the Baltimore Ravens heading for a crucial road game against the Green Bay Packers, there is only one burning question. Will Jackson suit up for the Week 17 game or watch the Ravens make or break their playoff chances from the sideline? The league itself has just set the record straight on why Jackson won’t turn up. 

“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (back) out vs. Packers,” the NFL’s official account wrote on X.

The NFL confirmed Lamar Jackson’s playing status against Green Bay, and it wasn’t what his fans hoped for. The Ravens earlier listed him as “doubtful” on their final injury report for Week 17, and the signs were daunting all week. Jackson couldn’t bring himself to practice in the wake of his back issues, which came during the Week 16 game against the New England Patriots. 

He took a knee hit to his lower back from safety Craig Woodson after a 3-yard scramble late in the second quarter. The aftermath? The 28-year-old didn’t show up in the second half, with the team turning to his backup. As the week rolled on, head coach John Harbaugh kept the door open for his comeback as long as possible. He told reporters on December 24 that Jackson’s status was still up in the air and that the team would evaluate him throughout the week. 

“He could play without that practice for sure,” he added. “He’s played a lot of football, won a lot of games for us. If he’s ready to go, he will go. If he can go, he will go. You can bet on that.”

But reality eventually set in when the former first-round pick’s back injury didn’t respond in time. Just 90 minutes before kickoff, the Ravens made it official that their star QB was out. With Lamar Jackson sidelined, the team turns to backup quarterback Tyler Huntley to lead the offense once again. 

With Lamar Jackson out, Huntley steps in for a must-win game

Tyler Huntley gets his chance at the most critical moment of the Ravens’ season. This will mark his second start of the season, following his convincing performances in the four games earlier. So far, Huntley has completed 76.6% of his passes for 319 yards and one touchdown. His first start in Week 8 helped the Ravens secure a 30-16 win against the Chicago Bears. 

In his career, the 27-year-old has posted 3,105 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While his career record sits at 6–9, tonight’s game presents a big opportunity for Huntley to flip the narrative. The Ravens are stepping onto the field without their offensive beast for a matchup that can seal their fate. 

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Under the lights at historic Lambeau Field, Harbaugh’s team is facing a team that has already punched its playoff ticket. Now, Green Bay looks forward to boosting its slim hopes of chasing a division title. But for Baltimore, it’s a fight for survival. With a 7-8 record, the team is two games behind its AFC North rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Additionally, they are already out of the Wild Card picture, and there remains only one route to reaching the postseason. The Ravens must win the division by edging out the Steelers. That makes the math for the Saturday Night Football both simple and brutal. If Lamar Jackson’s franchise loses or ties with the Packers, the season is officially over.