The Baltimore Ravens are staring down their worst start in a decade, and things aren’t getting any easier. At 1-4 with a three-game losing streak heading into Week 6, this is the franchise’s poorest opening since 2015, leaving them with serious ground to make up in the AFC North.
The biggest problem remains at quarterback. Lamar Jackson, the two-time MVP and Pro Bowl standout who powers almost everything Baltimore does offensively, has now missed two consecutive games after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4 against Kansas City.
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His absence was painfully obvious during last week’s 44-10 blowout loss to Houston, where the offense couldn’t generate anything resembling the explosiveness Jackson normally provides.
According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the news heading into Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Rams doesn’t offer much relief.
“Ravens officially ruled out QB Lamar Jackson for Sunday’s game vs. the Rams and will start QB Cooper Rush instead,” Schefter reported.
Ravens officially ruled out QB Lamar Jackson for Sunday’s game vs. the Rams and will start QB Cooper Rush instead.
Other Ravens ruled out for Sunday: MLB Roquan Smith (hamstring), FB Pat Ricard (calf), OT Emery Jones (shoulder), CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring). pic.twitter.com/IbsGiGRgt3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2025
But Jackson’s injury is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The Ravens are dealing with a mounting list of absences that’s affecting both sides of the ball heading into this critical matchup.
Middle linebacker Roquan Smith remains out with his own hamstring issue, leaving a noticeable void in a defense that’s already struggled throughout the season. Fullback Pat Ricard is sidelined with a calf injury, offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. is nursing a shoulder problem, and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is hampered by a hamstring strain as well.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stands on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Those absences create significant gaps on the offensive line and in the secondary at the worst possible time. The Rams arrive in Baltimore with a 3-2 record and a pass-heavy attack featuring quarterback Matthew Stafford alongside dynamic weapons like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams.
Without Smith patrolling the middle and providing run support, slowing down Los Angeles becomes an even tougher assignment for a Baltimore defense that desperately needs answers.
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