Jackson has been sidelined for the past three games, a stretch that included a difficult 35-13 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday. While Minter stopped short of guaranteeing that the quarterback would be under center in Buffalo, he indicated that the team expects to have a clearer picture of his availability by Wednesday.
Evaluating the Path to Recovery
The star signal-caller showed signs of progress last week, participating in limited practice sessions throughout the lead-up to the Bengals game. Despite being listed as questionable, he was ultimately ruled out before kickoff. Addressing reports that suggested increased swelling in his left ankle on Saturday led to his absence, Minter declined to confirm the specifics but emphasized the organization's priority regarding player health.
Minter stated that the decision to play Jackson will depend entirely on whether he is healthy enough to perform at the high standard expected of him. The coach noted that Jackson managed to complete some work toward the end of last week, leaving the team in a decent position to evaluate his readiness as the new week of preparation begins.
Offensive Struggles and Team Outlook
The Ravens currently sit at 4-3 and have fallen to the bottom of the AFC North standings following two consecutive losses. During the three-week period without their primary starter, the offense has faced significant challenges, averaging 17.7 points and 328.3 yards per game, ranking 24th and 20th in the league respectively. Tyler Huntley has stepped in to lead the offense during this stretch.
Despite the statistical dip, Minter dismissed the idea that the team’s recent offensive inconsistencies should be viewed solely as a byproduct of Jackson’s absence. While acknowledging that Jackson is a unique talent and a high-caliber player, Minter stressed that the team must focus on improving its overall operations regardless of who is on the field. He maintained that the squad is capable of performing better even when their MVP is unavailable, refusing to use his absence as a built-in excuse for recent results.
