The Baltimore Ravens have emerged from their bye week, knowing that the time has come to start picking up wins and sitting at 1-5, the margin for error is now gone.
With Lamar Jackson being sidelined for the past couple of weeks due to a hamstring injury, the thought was that No. 8 would be ready to go for Week 8 against the Chicago Bears.
But to do that, he needs to practice, and on Monday, Lamar was nowhere to be seen.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec posted on X that Jackson was absent from practice in what might be a little alarming for Baltimore given the precarious position they find themselves in when it comes to making a run at the postseason.
Some think that Baltimore still has a shot, but it only has a shot if Lamar is playing, and while it is only early in the week, it hasn't gotten off to a good start for the Ravens.
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It is a tough position to be in because the Ravens need Lamar to make the playoffs, but at the same time, they can't rush him back before he is ready otherwise the risk for re-injury is high.
Given it is only early in the week, there is still a lot to play out over the next couple of days, but one would imagine that the Ravens would need to see Jackson on the field and practicing by mid-week for him to have a chance at suiting up against the Chicago Bears.
If he can't go, and it is either Cooper Rush or Tyler Huntley, and they have to get a win, because a loss would almost certainly put a line for Baltimore's season.
And that is why the Ravens are right to worry about No. 8 because like it or not, everything rests on his shoulders from here on out.
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