Lamar Jackson's Availability in Doubt for Ravens' Crucial Week 17 Matchup

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The Ravens are already facing challenges as they prepare for Saturday’s game.

The team might have to play without their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, in their crucial matchup against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Jackson was marked as doubtful on Thursday’s injury report.

Jackson’s back injury, which forced him to leave the game early against the Patriots in Week 16, has been troubling him since before the season started. This week, the two-time MVP has been unable to participate in practice.

This game is critical for the Ravens, who have reached the playoffs in three consecutive years and six times in the past seven seasons.

A loss or even a tie in Green Bay would eliminate the Ravens (7-8) from playoff contention.

Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens passes the ball against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. — Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens passes the ball against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. Getty Images

If Jackson isn’t starting on Sunday, the Ravens will turn to Tyler Huntley, who has played just four games this season, including one start in which the backup led the Ravens to a victory over the NFC-North leading Bears.

The sixth-year quarterback has thrown 36 completions for 319 yards and one touchdown in 2025.

In his career, Huntley has thrown for 3,105 yards (on a 65.7 percent completion rate) with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

“A lot of our games have been must-win [games], and every week we must win, so we have to focus on going 1-0 this week,” Huntley told reporters this week, according to ESPN. “If we’re doing everything that we need to do, we’ll get that.”

The Ravens are supporting Huntley with their season hanging in the balance.

Tyler Huntley speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. AP

“He goes out like he’s the starter,” star running back Derrick Henry said of Huntley. “He practices that way, and he prepares that way. So yes, if ‘Snoop’ [Huntley] is going to go out there, he’s going to roll and do what he has to do.”

With the two-time NFL MVP under center for the past eight seasons in Baltimore, the Ravens have gone 79-35, including the postseason, and have averaged 27.7 points per game. Without Jackson, the team has scored 16.2 per game.

The Packers, on the other hand, clinched a playoff berth Thursday with the Lions’ loss to the Vikings.