Ravens’ Lamar Jackson Expected To Play Vs. Jets, But Ronnie Stanley Doubtful

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is officially listed as questionable for his team’s “Thursday Night Football” matchup against the New York Jets on Dec. 12, but the Most Valuable Player front-runner, who suffered a quad injury against the Buffalo Bills Dec. 8, said he will play.

The Ravens, though, are likely to be without starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who is listed as doubtful with a concussion. Stanley, who has started every game this year, is rated No. 4 overall and No. 1 in pass blocking among tackles by Pro Football Focus.

If Stanley can’t play, James Hurst is expected to make his first start of the season. Hurst, a versatile six-year veteran, has made 42 starts in his career, including 14 at left tackle.

“I know he’ll fill in and do a great job,” Jackson said after the team’s walkthrough workout Dec. 10. “So we want Ronnie back, but we have James. We’re going to be good.”

Jackson is dealing with a quad injury after he took a big hit from Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes just as Jackson delivered a 61-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hurst. Jackson did not miss any snaps in the game, but was limited during the Ravens’ light walkthrough workouts earlier on this short week. He was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday.

Addressing speculation about his status in a session with the media on Dec. 10, Jackson said, “I feel great. I feel good. I’m 100 [percent]. I’m going to be out there Thursday night.”

The Ravens could be without Jackson’s top target in tight end Mark Andrews, who is listed as questionable with a knee injury sustained early in the win against the Bills. Andrews leads the Ravens with 54 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns, which ties the team single-season record for a tight end.

Another notable name on the Ravens injury report is safety and special teams ace Anthony Levine Sr., who is questionable with an ankle injury. Levine has played 109 consecutive regular-season games for the Ravens dating to the 2013 season opener. He returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday after sitting out practice earlier in the week.

The only Ravens player ruled out is reserve linebacker Chris Board (concussion).

The Ravens (11-2) enter the game with a nine-game winning streak and would clinch the AFC North title with a win.

For the Jets (5-8), who have won four of their past five games, running back Le’Veon Bell is off the final injury report, so he will return to action after missing last week’s 22-21 win against the Miami Dolphins because of the flu.

However, starting right tackle Chuma Edoga (knee) and starting tight end Ryan Griffin (ankle) have both been ruled out.

Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams (ankle), who has not practiced all week, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and defensive end Quinnen Williams, the No. 3 overall draft pick this past spring, are among four Jets players listed as doubtful.

Here is the full final injury report:

RAVENS
OUT: ILB Chris Board (concussion)
DOUBTFUL: T Ronnie Stanley (concussion)
QUESTIONABLE: TE Mark Andrews (knee), QB Lamar Jackson (quad), S Anthony Levine Sr. (ankle), DE Jihad Ward (elbow)

JETS
OUT: OL Chuma Edoga (knee), TE Ryan Griffin (ankle), CB Brian Poole (concussion), RB Bilal Powell (ankle/illness)
DOUBTFUL: S Jamal Adams (ankle), CB Arthur Maulet (calf), WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring/knee), DL Quinnen Williams (neck)
QUESTIONABLE: DL Henry Anderson (shoulder), OL Kelvin Beachum (ankles), S Matthias Farley (ankle), DL Steve McLendon (knee/hip), RB Ty Montgomery (foot/hip), DL Nathan Sheperd (ankle)

Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox

Bo Smolka

See all posts by Bo Smolka. Follow Bo Smolka on Twitter at @bsmolka