Lamar Jackson ruled out for 2nd straight week as the Ravens prepare to take on the Browns

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Lamar Jackson is out again this weekend because of an ankle injury.

This year, there's no doubt who his primary backup is.

Tyler Huntley will have another chance to shine in relief of Jackson after the two-time MVP quarterback was ruled out for Sunday's game at Cleveland. Huntley won both his starts for the Ravens a season ago, and he also led Baltimore to an overtime win at Atlanta last weekend.

“The preparation and work that we do during the week (helps),” Huntley said Friday. "Just getting ready for the game so you can feel at ease while you are going through the scenarios.”

The Ravens ruled out Jackson, center Cam Jurgens (concussion), tight end Matthew Hibner (hand) and defensive tackle Broderick Washington (ankle) for this weekend.

When Jackson was hurt in Week 4 last season, the Ravens started Cooper Rush and lost their next two games, falling to 1-5. Then they switched to Huntley, who won a big home game against Chicago. Later in the season, Huntley guided Baltimore to a win at Green Bay as well — but the Ravens ended up falling short of the playoffs.

Last weekend, Baltimore overcame a late eight-point deficit and beat the Falcons 30-23. Huntley threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns. The man they call “Snoop” is a big reason the Ravens (4-1) are showing little panic as they await Jackson's return.

“He's a really good player, and he’s got a great demeanor. He’s got great poise. He has great respect amongst his teammates," first-year coach Jesse Minter said. “He’s just cool, calm, collected, confident — that to me, that’s infectious. When he’s in there, that’s kind of how the guys feel, and it’s really no different with Lamar.”

An undrafted rookie in 2020, Huntley made 10 starts for the Ravens — including one in the playoffs — through the 2023 season. That postseason start came at Cincinnati in January 2023. He played well enough to give Baltimore a chance, but with the game tied in the fourth quarter, he lost the ball on a quarterback sneak at the goal line, and the fumble was returned the other way for a Cincinnati touchdown. The Ravens lost 24-17.

Miami signed Huntley from Baltimore's practice squad in September 2024. He made five starts that season for the Dolphins and was with the Browns last year before being cut and rejoining the Ravens.

Since the start of last season, Huntley has been sharp when called upon, completing 78% of his throws and posting a passer rating of 105.6.

“We won’t bat an eye with ‘Snoop’ being in there,” Minter said. "We’ll go shoot our shot this week.”

This week's game is a reunion in more ways than one. Huntley faces the Browns, a team he spent time with during the 2024 and 2025 preseasons. And Cleveland's coach is Todd Monken, who was Baltimore's offensive coordinator the past three seasons.

“I’m more grateful and blessed to be where I am right now,” Huntley said.

Jackson was hurt while taking a sack near the end of the first half in Week 4 against Tennessee. He hasn't practiced since.

“It’s day by day, I would say," Minter said. "I think it’s just a decision for his best interest. That’s really what every decision’s always going to be about.”

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Injured Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Three Zambian players for National Women's Soccer League teams are not yet able to return to the United State following an international match because of U.S. travel protocols surrounding the Ebola outbreak.

Barbra Banda of the Orlando Pride, Racheal Kundananji of the Chicago Stars and Prisca Chilufya of Angel City took part in an Oct. 8 match in Uganda.

“Following their participation with the Zambian Women’s National Team during the recent international window, several players are currently observing U.S. government public health re-entry protocols required for travelers returning from the East African region,” the NWSL said in a statement Friday. "The NWSL is working with its clubs and U.S. immigration to ensure the players’ safe return; all players are in excellent health.

Zambia played a two-legged series with Uganda as part of qualification for the 2028 Los Angele Olympics earlier this month. The first match was in Uganda, where there were 20 confirmed cases of Ebola this summer.

Zambia fell 2-1 loss to Uganda in the first match in Kampala, but won the second leg 4-1 that advanced Zambia 5-3 on aggregate.

The absence of those players comes at a crucial time in the NWSL season, with only two regular-season games left before the playoffs.

The United States has imposed a 21-day waiting or quarantine period for re-entry on travelers who have been in the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan due to to the Ebola outbreak.

The current Ebola outbreak was declared in mid-May after spreading in a remote part of eastern Congo. The nation's Health Ministry recently reported 9,066 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths.

Last week, Kenya became the second country after Uganda to report an Ebola case imported from Congo.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

FILE - Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda looks on during an NWSL soccer match against the Chicago Stars, March 14, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)