Ravens QB Lamar Jackson's availability for Steelers showdown is uncertain

Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun on Dec 29, 2025

Published in Football

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BALTIMORE — Will he or won’t he?

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s status for Sunday night’s win-or-go-home game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh is still uncertain six days ahead of the showdown for the AFC North crown, coach John Harbaugh said Monday in Owings Mills.

Jackson, 28, suffered a back injury after getting kneed by Patriots safety Craig Woodson in the second quarter of the Week 16 loss to New England. He hasn’t practiced since, and whether he will be able to play in the regular-season finale is still to be determined.

“He’s coming off a very serious injury and he’s working at it,” said Harbaugh, who added that Jackson was at the team’s facility rehabbing on Monday. “I think we’ll know a lot more on Wednesday.”

Harbaugh did say that the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has made significant progress physically since last week, however.

“It was not good at all early in the week and he improved as the week went on,” he said. “That was cause for optimism.”

Should Jackson not be able to take the field, it would mark the fifth game this season and second in a row he has missed because of injuries. He also missed three games earlier this season because of a hamstring injury.

Other injuries have piled up, too, including to his knee, ankle and toe, resulting in Jackson missing at least one day of practice each of the past nearly two months.

Tyler Huntley, who helped the Ravens to a must-win 41-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday night to keep their playoff hopes alive, would start for the third time this season if Jackson does not play. He also started in Week 8, leading Baltimore to a 30-16 victory over the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium.

In five appearances this season, Huntley has completed 77.6% of his passes for 426 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 151 yards on 24 carries.

Jackson, meanwhile, has had an inconsistent campaign at best.

In 12 games this year, he has completed just 63.7% of his passes, his lowest mark since 2022 and the second-lowest completion percentage of his career as the full-time starter. He has also thrown just 18 touchdown passes after a career-high 41 last season and his 192.6 passing yards per game is also his lowest average since 2022.

He has not been as dynamic with his legs, either.

Jackson has rushed just 63 times for 340 yards, his 5.3 attempts per game easily the lowest average of his career by nearly three carries per contest. His two rushing touchdowns are also the fewest in his eight years, while his 5.4 yards rushing per attempt is his lowest mark since his rookie season.

Still, despite Huntley’s success and Jackson’s struggles, there’s little question who will get the start if the latter is healthy enough.

“If Lamar’s ready to go, he’s playing,” Harbaugh said. “That’s it, for sure.”