The Wednesday clarity Jesse Minter promised arrived, and it wasn't the kind Baltimore wanted.
Lamar Jackson was not on the field during the portion of Wednesday's practice open to reporters, the first session of Week 7 preparations for Sunday's AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tyler Huntley and rookie Joe Fagnano were the only quarterbacks seen warming up in Owings Mills, according to multiple reporters on site, including ESPN's Jamison Hensley and The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.
Jackson hasn't played since spraining his left ankle in the third quarter of the Ravens' Oct. 4 home game against the Tennessee Titans. If he can't go Sunday, it will be his third consecutive missed game.
A Hopeful Start to the Week That Didn't Hold
The absence stands out because the early-week signals leaned optimistic. On Monday, Minter said Jackson's ankle had improved during his time off but stopped short of a firm timeline. "I'd still put it in kind of the day-to-day thing," the first-year head coach said, adding that the team would have a much better read once practice resumed Wednesday.
Asked whether Jackson would take part in practice at some point this week, Minter offered a one-word hedge — "potentially" — and left it there.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport had also reported shortly before practice that Jackson was expected back on the field Wednesday. Once the session began without him, Rapoport's update shifted, describing the quarterback as "still fighting through it." No specific setback has been reported.
Minter has said previously that Jackson doesn't necessarily have to practice in order to play on Sunday, so Wednesday's absence isn't the final word. But with only Thursday and Friday left before the Ravens' final injury report, Jackson likely needs to log at least a limited session to have a realistic shot at suiting up against Cincinnati.
Huntley's Two Starts: One Comeback, One Stall
If Jackson sits again, Huntley would make his third straight start. The Ravens (4-2) have split the two games without their franchise quarterback.
Huntley's first start produced a 30-23 overtime comeback win at Atlanta on Sunday Night Football in Week 5. Week 6 went the other way: a 13-10 loss in Cleveland in which the Ravens' offense failed to score over the final three quarters.
The drop-off without Jackson is no mystery. Before the injury, he had completed 70.8 percent of his passes for 967 yards with six touchdowns and one interception over four games, while adding 144 rushing yards and a score. He's also had the Bengals' number throughout his career, with 11 wins in 13 starts against Cincinnati — a track record the Bengals' defense is well aware of. Cornerback DJ Turner II said this week Cincinnati is preparing as though Jackson will start.
The Center Question Comes Into Play, Too
Jackson isn't the only key name in limbo up front. Center Cam Jurgens is working through the concussion protocol, though Minter sounded considerably more upbeat about his chances than Jackson's, suggesting Jurgens could clear the final step of the protocol by Wednesday or Thursday.
That matters for whoever lines up at quarterback. Baltimore's interior line has already absorbed losses this season, with Jovaughn Gwyn — the Week 1 starter at center — on injured reserve with an ankle injury since Oct. 3 and backup Danny Pinter listed as out following surgery.
What It Means for Sunday
Cincinnati arrives in Baltimore coming off its bye week, rested and with a chance to make up ground in the division against a 4-2 Ravens team that just dropped a road game to the Browns. Jackson's availability is the swing factor in a matchup oddsmakers have pegged at roughly a field goal in Baltimore's favor.
Thursday's practice and injury report will be the next real data point. Absent a return to the field by Friday, expect Huntley to take the first-team snaps once again — and for the Ravens to keep weighing one AFC North game against the long-term health of the player their season runs through.
Kickoff Information
Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
TV: CBS