The Baltimore Ravens have lost three of their first four games in the 2025 season, making Week 5 crucial in keeping the year from going off the rails.
As Baltimore looks to avoid falling into a 1-4 hole, it faces questions about the status of quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens’ franchise player exited their Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with what has been described as a hamstring injury. Jackson appeared to sustain the injury while attempting to evade a Kansas City defender and watched the fourth quarter from the sideline.
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Now, Baltimore returns to M&T Bank Stadium to host the 1-3 Houston Texans, and Jackson's chances to play are unclear. Here is the latest on whether Jackson will suit up in Week 5 against Houston.
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Is Lamar Jackson playing this week vs. Texans?
Jackson is "likely" to miss Week 5 against Houston, according to the Baltimore Sun. The absence could extend beyond that game as well.
As of Monday, his chances to play were "up in the air," per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Ravens, namely head coach John Harbaugh, had been quiet about the future outlook of Jackson's injury. He told reporters that "The way I know Lamar, if he could've gone in the game, he would've been in the game. That's how Lamar is," when speaking on Jackson missing the end of Week 4 in Kansas City.
The answer casted doubt over Week 5, but is not definitive in either way.
MORE: Will Lamar Jackson miss time with Week 4 hamstring injury?
Who is Lamar Jackson's backup?
Jackson's backup is Cooper Rush.
Rush is in his first season with Baltimore after spending the past five with the Dallas Cowboys. He was brought in to spell Jackson late in the Ravens’ Week 4 loss to the Chiefs.
Coming in for Jackson would not be unfamiliar territory for Rush, who saw plenty of time as a starter in Dallas. He started 14 games with the Cowboys, including eight during the 2024 season.
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Ravens QB depth chart
| QB | Player |
| 1 | Lamar Jackson |
| 2 | Cooper Rush |
| PS | Tyler Huntley |
The Ravens have two quarterbacks on the active roster in Jackson and Rush. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, a familiar face to Ravens fans, was added to the practice squad following training camp.
If Jackson is unable to go, Huntley would likely be elevated to the active roster. He appeared in 20 games (nine starts) with Baltimore from 2020 to 2023.