Lamar Jackson headed in the 'right direction,' but Week 7 availability still unclear New York Times (Online) Jeff Zrebiec OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said Friday that he's headed in the “right direction,” but he was noncommittal about his availability for Sunday's AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was clear that he wouldn't play if his mobility was significantly impacted by his left ankle injury. Jackson's first comments on the state of his ankle since he was hurt in an Oct. 4 game against the Tennessee Titans came after he practiced for a third straight day on a limited basis. Jackson, however, was not seen on the field when the team wrapped up its final full practice before Sunday's game. The quarterback had his left ankle taped as he came outside to speak to reporters following practice. He said that he was told by the Ravens athletic training staff that he has a high-ankle sprain, disputing reports that the issue was more in the middle of his ankle. “It hurt bad, you know,” Jackson said. “It was very, very, very, very painful. Just coming back, I've been trying to ice it as much as possible, get the swelling down. That's pretty much what we've been doing.” Jackson maintained that a decision still hasn't been made about whether he'll be able to play Sunday. If he's sidelined, veteran backup Tyler Huntley would get his third consecutive start. Jackson said how he feels between now and Sunday's 1 p.m. game would essentially determine whether he plays and pain tolerance would certainly be one of the factors in that decision. “I just have a grace period until Sunday, however it may be,” Jackson said. Both Jackson and Huntley spoke to reporters following Friday's practice, which is rare. Teams are required to make the likely starting quarterback available to speak to reporters during the week, but two quarterbacks typically aren't available in a news conference setting. Over the past two weeks, Huntley has fielded questions from reporters, with Jackson having been ruled out on back-to-back Fridays. The different approach this week suggests that at least as of mid-afternoon Friday, the Ravens still weren't sure who would start Sunday — and they probably don't mind the rival Bengals not knowing definitively, either. “We're still working through that, but he's been able to get some work in these last couple days,” coach Jesse Minter said of Jackson. “Again, between Lamar, our staff and us, it's going to be a decision based on him, how he feels and how effective we feel like it could be. So, had a good couple of days, but we'll see how it goes in the next 48 hours.” Jackson was listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report. Minter didn't rule out the possibility that the team could hold off on a decision about Jackson's status until Sunday morning. “It's in that phase where we certainly [will go] as long as it needs to take,” Minter said. Jackson has been sidelined since his left ankle twisted awkwardly while being sacked by Jermaine Johnson late in the second quarter of the team's 24-18 victory over the Titans in Week 4. At the time, Minter said his quarterback avoided a long-term injury and was “day-to-day.” Yet, Jackson didn't practice the following two weeks and was ruled out two days ahead of the past two games. With Huntley at the helm, the Ravens beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, 30-23, but then lost last week to the Cleveland Browns, 13-10, in a game in which the offense sputtered badly after scoring on its first two drives. Minter said Monday that Jackson had made progress but was still day-to-day and that he wasn't sure yet when the quarterback would return to the practice field. Jackson participated in Wednesday's walk-through, but he wasn't on the field in the early media viewing portion of practice. He was on the field toward the end of practice and Minter said that he was able to do some things. The Ravens listed him as “limited” on Wednesday's practice report. That was his status during Thursday and Friday's practices as well. “He's been working hard, but I know if he's ready to play, he's going to play,” Huntley said Friday when asked about Jackson. “There's no question about that. We'll see come Sunday if he's ready to play.” The Ravens are 6-7 in Huntley's regular-season starts when Jackson has been sidelined. They are 11-3 in the regular season against the Bengals in games started by Jackson. This is a significant game for the Ravens, who are coming off a divisional loss to the Browns and would dig a notable hole for themselves by starting 0-2 in the AFC North. After the Bengals, they play the Buffalo Bills on the road and then have a short week before hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars on a Thursday night. This is arguably the most difficult three-game stretch on their schedule and the uncertainty about Jackson's status compounds the challenge. Jackson made clear that he doesn't need to be “100 percent” to play. However, he also said that he would be doing his teammates a disservice in trying to play if he can't move around like he normally does and protect himself. “If I can go out there and feel the pain a little bit, I can play,” Jackson said. “But (if) I'm restricted, I can't do what I do, I'm not helping nobody. If I can just go out there and just be a statue and be hit, that's not helping my team at all. That's just me. I feel like I'm being selfish because it's about me at that point, for me to go out there and be hurt.” Jackson dealt with a litany of injuries during a difficult 2025 season, missing four games but also playing through myriad physical issues. He questioned that decision Friday, perhaps foreshadowing the decision this week. “I feel like that was dumb a little bit,” Jackson said. “I'm hurt and I'm trying to help my team win, but I'm not to my full capabilities, not even close to it. I'm just trying.” Minter also announced Friday that outside linebacker Tavius Robinson will miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury sustained against the Browns. Robinson leads the team with 3.5 sacks and is also one of Baltimore's best and most physical edge setter against the run. Minter also ruled out starting defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins for the Bengals' game. Hawkins hurt his knee in Wednesday's practice. Minter said he doesn't expect a “real long-term” absence for the veteran safety. Center Cam Jurgens, who missed the first two games since the Ravens acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles because he was in concussion protocol, is expected to make his Baltimore debut Sunday.