The NFL has opened an investigation into how the Baltimore Ravens managed quarterback Lamar Jackson’s practice participation and injury report this week. The two-time NFL MVP was ultimately ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears due to a right hamstring injury, but questions have arisen over whether the Ravens properly followed league protocol.
Report Discrepancy Triggers League Review
On Friday, the Ravens listed Jackson as a full participant in practice. However, less than 24 hours later, they revised his status to “limited participation”, prompting the league to take a closer look.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Saturday that the matter is under review, saying, “The league reviews any matter involving a change to a player’s status.”
According to team sources, Jackson took part in all of Friday’s practice but ran with the scout team instead of taking his usual starter reps. Under the NFL’s injury report policy, any player limited by medical reasons — even if active in drills — must be listed as limited, not full.
Ravens Explain the Change
The Ravens released a statement acknowledging the adjustment:
“Lamar Jackson was present for and participated fully in our entire Friday practice. Upon further evaluation today and after conferring with the league office, because Lamar didn’t take any starter reps in practice, we updated our report to reflect his practice participation.”
The reclassification came shortly before Baltimore announced that Jackson would not play Sunday, a move that caused an immediate reaction in betting markets. According to ESPN BET, the Ravens’ line dropped from 6.5-point favorites to 1.5-point favorites once Jackson’s absence became official.
Huntley Set to Start vs. Bears
With Jackson sidelined, Tyler Huntley will start for Baltimore, earning the nod over Cooper Rush, who was recently benched. Huntley holds a 3–7 record as a starter, including playoffs, with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions during that span.
Jackson is expected to return Thursday night when the Ravens face the Miami Dolphins, per reports.
The Ravens’ Struggles Without Jackson
Baltimore’s performance without Jackson underscores his value to the franchise. Since 2018, the Ravens are 74–32 (.698) with him as the starter, compared to just 4–12 (.250) without him. The team has lost six straight games and now sits 1–5, their worst start in a decade and last in the AFC North.
What’s Next
If the NFL determines that the Ravens violated the injury reporting policy, the team could face disciplinary action, including fines or other penalties. The investigation highlights the importance of transparency in injury reporting — a critical issue for competitive integrity, player safety, and the league’s betting oversight.