Ravens turn to Tyler Huntley in AFC North battle vs. Bengals

Lamar Jackson was itching to return to the field, but the Baltimore Ravens are turning back to Tyler Huntley when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC North battle on Sunday.

Jackson was downgraded to out on the injury report Saturday and will miss a third consecutive games with a sprained left ankle. The Ravens (4-2) split the previous two games Huntley started at quarterback.

All signs pointed to Jackson playing this week. He took a step in the right direction as a limited participant in practice each day. He was listed as questionable on Friday.

Jackson hinted he wouldn't be ready to go if he couldn't move comfortably before the game.

"Just trying to move how I move," Jackson said. "If I can't do that, I can't help my team. I can't put my team in a situation to win. I feel like I'm doing a disservice, if anything. If I can just go out there and just be a statue and get hit, [there's] no positives in that. That's not helping my team at all."

Sunday's game is the first of three games in 12 days for the Ravens, who have a matchup with Buffalo in Week 8 and a Thursday night game against the Jaguars in Week 9.

Cincinnati won't mind the switch. Jackson has always thrived against the Bengals (3-2) and holds an 11-2 record in the series. The two-time NFL MVP has passed for 24 touchdowns against six interceptions against the Bengals.

"I think anytime you're going against a player like that, it's all hands on deck," Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said of Jackson. "You've got to get him on the ground. He likes to extend a lot of plays."

The Ravens lost 13-10 to the host Cleveland Browns last weekend without Jackson. Star running back Derrick Henry lost a big fumble in the fourth quarter that set up Cleveland for its lone touchdown.

Henry ranks fourth in the NFL with 534 rushing yards.

Cincinnati is coming off a bye but quarterback Joe Burrow feels the urgency.

The Ravens, Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers share first place in the AFC North with Cincinnati a half-game behind.

"It's a big game," Burrow said Wednesday. "There's no hiding from that. There's a lot of football to be played after this, but anytime we play the Ravens with placing in the division on the line, it's going to be a big game, so we're treating it that way."

Burrow is showing signs of having another big season if he can stay injury-free.

He has passed for 1,361 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in five games. Five of the six players who have thrown more TD passes have played in six games.

Burrow is looking forward to playing against Ravens pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who made the Pro Bowl four times during his five seasons with Cincinnati before signing a four-year, $112 million deal with Baltimore as a free agent in the offseason. Hendrickson had 61 sacks and 12 forced fumbles in 72 games with the Bengals and was the runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.

"It will be fun," Burrow said of facing Hendrickson. "I got to practice with him for a long time, and I'm sure he's excited to hit me a little bit after not hitting me for so long."

Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson predicted Sunday will be a rough day for Burrow with Hendrickson on the warpath.

"Trey is a great leader, and he's a guy who flies around," Simpson said. "And man, I am excited to see him against his former team. ... I believe that this game for him is going to be one of those multiple-sacks games. I'm calling it. I'm excited to see the celebration he does."

Hendrickson has two sacks in four games this season. He missed two games earlier this month after undergoing finger surgery.

Hendrickson didn't admit publicly to harboring any extra motivation against Cincinnati.

"We're a team. This isn't an individual sport," Hendrickson said. "It's about the team and what I can bring and what they can bring, and what we can collectively do as a unit. I think that's what makes football special, and I'm looking forward to it Sunday."

The Ravens ruled out safety Jaylinn Hawkins (knee) and linebacker Tavius Robinson (pectoral), deemed cornerback T.J. Tampa (knee) doubtful and listed offensive lineman Vega Ioane (ankle) and defensive tackle Broderick Washington (ankle) questionable.

Center Cam Jurgens, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 7, cleared concussion protocol and is in line to make his Ravens debut after missing two games.

The Bengals are the rare team to enjoy a healthy roster. Safety Kyle Dugger (quadriceps) was cleared after practicing in full Thursday and Friday.

--Field Level Media