Ravens set to pivot to Cooper Rush amid uncertainty around Lamar Jackson injury

The Baltimore Ravens saw their two-time MVP quarterback, Lamar Jackson, go down with a hamstring injury in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. It appeared the injury occurred in the third quarter when Jackson was sacked by Chiefs’ defensive end George Karlaftis.

Jackson did not return to action in that matchup, and although many speculated that it was due to the game being a blowout, Head Coach John Harbaugh assured everyone that if Jackson could have gotten back out there, he would have.

Harbaugh did not provide any updates regarding Jackson’s status moving forward. However, recent reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker expect Jackson to miss the team’s Week 5 game against the Houston Texans. The situation would put backup quarterback Cooper Rush in line to start on Sunday.

Harbaugh is confident in Rush and the others who must step up in the absence of Baltimore’s injured starters. On Monday, he briefly talked about the possibility of Rush starting and what to expect if he is out there.

“Cooper [Rush], you’ve seen him play, so everyone knows what his game is,” Harbaugh said. “If he’s out there, [the game] will be geared toward him. We got a good group around him. We got a lot of playmakers around him if he’s playing…We can win games with our guys. Everyone gets injuries, and it’s who deals with them the best.”

Cooper Rush expected to start in Week 5

Rush is capable of taking starting reps. The 31-year-old is 9-5 as a starter in his career. He went 4-1 with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 and 4-4 last year. He has the experience taking over as signal caller for teams looking to contend, and he is poised to prove it against a struggling Houston team.

The Texans do possess a stingy pass defense. They rank seventh in the league in pass yards given up with 713, but their run defense ranks closer to average in 12th with 102.3 rush yards given up per game. The good news for Rush and Baltimore is that Houston’s offense is the fourth-lowest scoring group in football, with 64 points. They also have just three takeaways through four games.

If Rush can keep the football out of trouble and let the running game go to work, the Ravens should have a favorable chance at winning the game. If they do see their defense allowing Houston’s offense to find a rhythm, Rush has shown the ability to keep up with his arm. In 2024, he completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Baltimore should not be asking too much of Rush. They need to let running back Derrick Henry and the rushing attack get back on the right track and find a way for their receivers to make plays. As long as he keeps the ball out of harm’s way, Rush should be able to keep the team in contention on Sunday.

Robert Saleh Clears the Air: ‘I Didn’t Mean to Cause Any Tension with Liam’

Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator for the [Team Name], has addressed the controversy that arose following his comments about the

Jacksonville Jaguars’ strategy after their 21-26 loss. In a tense exchange with Liam Coen, head coach of the team, Saleh was forced to clarify his remarks, which had been misunderstood by many as criticism.

“I never meant to cause any tension or disrespect,” Saleh explained. “What I said about the Jaguars was meant as a compliment. They have a great offense, and I respect the way they execute. My words were misconstrued, and I’ve spoken to Liam to make sure we’re on the same page. I want to move forward and focus on improving as a team.”

Saleh’s clarification highlights his intent to stay focused on the team’s progress, despite the misinterpretation of his earlier comments.

Saleh’s Perspective: ‘It Was About Giving Credit, Not Criticism’

Saleh emphasized that his comments about the Jaguars’ offensive strategy were meant to acknowledge their strengths, not criticize his own team. “I have a lot of respect for the way the Jaguars attack and execute,” Saleh said. “It’s important to recognize the strengths of our opponents, and that’s what I was trying to do. I never meant for my words to be taken in a negative way, and I’m glad we cleared that up with Liam.”

Saleh’s words show his commitment to fostering positive relationships with his coaching staff and maintaining a constructive atmosphere, even after a tough loss.

Looking Ahead: ‘We’ve Got to Focus on What We Control’

In the wake of the misunderstanding, Saleh remains focused on the task at hand—improving the team’s defense. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’ve got to focus on what we can control,” Saleh said. “We can’t afford to get distracted by things like this. We need to learn from this loss, make adjustments, and get ready for the next challenge. That’s the mentality we need to have moving forward.”

Saleh’s dedication to learning from the loss and focusing on what the team can control is indicative of his leadership style and commitment to constant improvement.

Final Thoughts: ‘We’re a Team, and We’ll Move Forward Together’

Saleh closed by reiterating that the misunderstanding would not define the team’s journey. “We’re all on the same page, and we’ll move forward together as a team,” he said. “Liam and I have spoken, and we’re focused on getting better. The rest of the season is ahead of us, and we’re ready to tackle it head-on.”

Saleh’s focus on team unity and forward momentum sets a positive tone for the team as they look to bounce back from their loss and continue working toward their goals.

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