Ravens hold off Titans 24–18 after Lamar Jackson leaves with ankle injury

Monday update: Lamar Jackson’s availability for Sunday night’s game in Atlanta remains unresolved. Jesse Minter said the Ravens were still gathering information and imaging after Jackson’s ankle injury. The coach did not expect a lengthy absence, but he did not announce a diagnosis, return date or decision on the next game. Minter also expressed confidence in Tyler Huntley, who finished Sunday’s win.

Baltimore built a 17-point halftime lead and then had to defend it without Lamar Jackson. The Ravens beat Tennessee 24–18 on Sunday, improving to 3–1 after Jackson left with an ankle injury and the Titans made the finish uncomfortable.

Derrick Henry ran for 73 yards and a touchdown against his former team. Jackson threw for 222 yards and two scores before halftime, while Zay Flowers finished with eight catches for 118 yards. Tyler Huntley completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards in relief, but Baltimore did not score after the break.

The play that created the Ravens' cushion came on defense. With the game still close in the second quarter, Tennessee reached the Baltimore 2-yard line. On fourth-and-goal, Tony Pollard took a direct snap and was stopped for no gain by Nnamdi Madubuike. A potential tying touchdown became a change of possession.

Baltimore then drove 98 yards in eight plays. Jackson connected with Rashod Bateman for 28 yards and Flowers for 52, moving the Ravens from their own goal line into scoring position. Mark Andrews finished the possession with a 3-yard touchdown catch, putting Baltimore ahead 21–7 with 3:32 left in the half.

The Titans had already paid for another mistake. Trenton Simpson intercepted Cam Ward on Tennessee's opening possession, setting up Henry's 5-yard touchdown. Pollard answered with a 3-yard scoring run, but Jackson's 19-yard touchdown pass to Flowers restored Baltimore's lead early in the second quarter.

A late-half Tennessee turnover added to the damage. Kyle Hamilton forced a Carnell Tate fumble and Malaki Starks recovered it, giving Baltimore another possession. Jackson was sacked on the drive's final offensive play and did not return after halftime. Tyler Loop still converted the opportunity with a 64-yard field goal as the second quarter expired, making it 24–7.

Ward and Tate kept Tennessee in the game. Ward finished with 222 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception; Tate caught nine passes for 145 yards. Joey Slye's third-quarter field goal cut the margin to 14, and the Titans' defense kept Baltimore from extending it. Loop missed a 40-yard attempt in the fourth quarter.

Tennessee's final touchdown drive included a 33-yard completion to Tate on fourth-and-15. Ward then found Wan'Dale Robinson for a 3-yard score with 1:12 remaining and completed the two-point conversion to Gunnar Helm. Starks recovered the ensuing onside kick, allowing Huntley to kneel out the game.

Jackson's availability for the next game remains unresolved. The Ravens' updated injury report cited Ian Rapoport's report that Jackson is believed to be day-to-day and Jamison Hensley's report that he left the stadium in a walking boot. Coach Jesse Minter said after the game that the team did not yet know enough about the ankle injury. The day-to-day report does not clear Jackson to play at Atlanta. Baltimore also lost Marlon Humphrey, Andrew Vorhees and Durham Smythe to injuries during the game.

The Titans fell to 0–4 and host Houston next Sunday. Baltimore visits Atlanta for Sunday Night Football, with its next preparation week now including the question of who will be available at quarterback.

Tuesday, October 6 injury update

Lamar Jackson’s chances of facing Atlanta have narrowed following another report on his injured ankle. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the Ravens quarterback has only an outside chance of playing Sunday and could miss multiple games depending on his rehabilitation.

Rapoport described the injury as an ankle sprain that is not considered a long-term or surgical problem. That assessment is a report, rather than an official game-status designation. Baltimore has not ruled Jackson out against the Falcons.

The new prognosis follows Jesse Minter’s Monday update, when the Ravens head coach said the team was still gathering information and imaging results. Minter did not know Jackson’s chances of playing and said he did not expect the injury to be a lengthy one.

If Jackson cannot play, Tyler Huntley would make his first start of the season, according to NFL Network. Huntley replaced him for the second half of Sunday’s 24–18 win over Tennessee, completing eight of nine passes for 63 yards and adding 16 rushing yards.

Baltimore did not score after the break. The team’s Monday account added useful context: the Ravens were protecting a substantial lead, used more conservative play-calling and faced worse rain in the second half. That finish alone does not establish how an offense prepared around Huntley would perform against Atlanta.

Minter also expressed confidence in Huntley, saying the players believe in him. Huntley has started 16 games over seven seasons, 11 of them with Baltimore, giving the Ravens an experienced alternative if Jackson remains unavailable.

Jackson had thrown for 222 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the Titans game. Through four weeks he has 967 passing yards, six touchdown passes and one interception, along with 144 rushing yards and another touchdown, according to Yahoo Sports.

Managers relying on Jackson should prepare an alternative quarterback while awaiting practice participation and the official game designation.