si
The Buffalo Bills are fully aware that their next opponent is the Baltimore Ravens. However, which quarterback will start for Baltimore on November 1 at Orchard Park remains a mystery, even to the Ravens themselves.
Two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson has been sidelined for the past three games with what Dr. David Chao, a former San Diego Chargers team doctor, believes is a left ankle eversion sprain. While many assume Jackson will return for the Week 8 clash with Buffalo, there is ample reason for skepticism.
There was speculation that Jackson, though not at full strength, might have played against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 25. After limited participation in practice, he was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, but the Ravens ruled him out on Saturday. Chao had given Jackson a one-in-three chance to play in Week 7; now, he has raised that to a 50 percent probability for Week 8.
"I don't think he's for sure playing this week yet. I think this is a 50-50 week," Chao said on Monday. "Let's see how it develops. It's a big game, Bills, etc., but I don't think it's a guarantee that he's playing. I think it's 50-50 right now."
Rapoport's Confident Prediction
On Tuesday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport appeared on ESPN's Big Day and made a definitive statement. "I expect, based on the people I've spoken with, that Lamar Jackson will play this week. He will be on the field this week against the Buffalo Bills," Rapoport said. "He is believed to be as close to 100 percent as he has been, and the Ravens do expect him to play."
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, however, did not express the same level of certainty. "Lamar's working his butt off to be back, to be out there," Minter said a day after the loss to Cincinnati. "I think he'll be in a decent spot, but we'll know a lot more on Wednesday."
It is also worth noting that Rapoport characterized Jackson's ankle sprain as "a two-to-three week injury." Such a definitive assessment seems premature, as similar injuries—depending on severity—can take up to four weeks to heal, especially for a player who relies as heavily on his legs as Jackson does. Furthermore, Rapoport's sourcing is questionable: last week, Jackson publicly challenged the reporter's accuracy regarding the injury. "Ian Rapoport said that? He part of the training staff?" Jackson remarked during a media session.
Bills Prepare for Both Quarterbacks
The Bills are 2-2 against Jackson as a starter in the regular season and 2-0 in the playoffs. While Jackson is probably more likely to play than not, Buffalo must also prepare for backup Tyler Huntley, who could get the call again. Huntley, a capable runner himself, holds an 8-11 record as a starter and has appeared in 34 career games, throwing for 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In his most recent outing against the Bengals, Huntley completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 298 yards and one touchdown, but was sacked four times and intercepted once in a 35-13 loss.
Regardless of the quarterback situation, the Ravens will almost certainly be without starting guard Olaivavega Vega Ioane due to injury. Meanwhile, the Bills appear to be nearing full strength in Week 8.