Ravens Injury Update: Lamar Jackson Could Miss Multiple Games; Durham Smythe Out for Season

The Baltimore Ravens escaped Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans with a 24-18 victory and a 3-1 record, but the cost of that win is becoming increasingly significant. Baltimore lost Lamar Jackson, Durham Smythe, Andrew Vorhees and Marlon Humphrey during the game, adding to an injury list that was already becoming a major concern entering October. The news became worse Tuesday, with Jackson’s ankle injury appearing more significant than initially hoped and Smythe reportedly suffering a season-ending torn Achilles. citeturn1news6turn2news6

Baltimore now heads toward its Sunday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons with serious questions at quarterback, offensive line, tight end and cornerback. Head coach Jesse Minter initially expressed optimism that Jackson’s injury would not be a long-term issue, but the latest reporting indicates the Ravens may have to prepare for at least one game without their franchise quarterback. Here is the latest on Jackson and the rest of Baltimore’s injured roster as of Tuesday afternoon.

Lamar Jackson — ankle sprain

The biggest development Tuesday came from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who reported that Jackson is dealing with an ankle sprain and has only an “outside chance” of playing Sunday night against Atlanta. More concerning for Baltimore is that Jackson could miss multiple games depending on how quickly his ankle responds to treatment and rehabilitation. The injury is not considered a long-term or surgical issue, but the Ravens should clearly be preparing Tyler Huntley to start against the Falcons. citeturn1news6turn1search32

Jackson injured his left ankle on Baltimore’s final offensive play of the first half against Tennessee when defensive end Jermaine Johnson II brought him down from behind. Jackson immediately received attention from the Ravens’ medical staff and did not play in the second half, although he remained on the sideline. He eventually left M&T Bank Stadium wearing a protective walking boot, and Minter acknowledged afterward that the Ravens had at least discussed the possibility of Jackson returning to the game. citeturn0news42turn2news21

Before the injury, Jackson was having one of his best halves of the young season. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns while adding 20 rushing yards, helping Baltimore build a 24-7 halftime advantage. Jackson posted a 144.2 passer rating, but the offense failed to score a single point after Huntley replaced him in the second half. citeturn1search0turn2search14

Minter said Monday that the Ravens were still reviewing Jackson’s imaging and gathering information. He added that he did not believe the injury would be “crazy long-term,” which lines up with Tuesday’s reporting that Baltimore is not dealing with a season-threatening injury. However, there is now a substantial difference between Jackson avoiding a long-term absence and Jackson actually being available against Atlanta. citeturn1search1

The Ravens also have every reason to be cautious. Baltimore plays Atlanta on Sunday night before facing Cleveland on Oct. 18 and Cincinnati on Oct. 25, meaning a multi-game absence could extend into important AFC North games. Jackson’s mobility is such an important component of Baltimore’s offense that putting him on the field with a significantly compromised ankle could create additional problems even if he were medically capable of playing.

Tyler Huntley likely preparing to start

If Jackson cannot play, Huntley will make his first start of the season. Huntley completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards and rushed four times for 16 yards after replacing Jackson against Tennessee. The Ravens did not score in the second half, although Minter acknowledged that Baltimore intentionally became more conservative because of the lead, deteriorating weather and Jackson’s absence. citeturn1search0turn1search3

Huntley at least gives Baltimore an experienced quarterback who understands how to operate an offense designed around Jackson’s skill set. He has made 16 career NFL starts, including 11 for Baltimore, and the Ravens have won meaningful games with him behind center. The problem is that Huntley may be asked to operate behind a severely depleted offensive line while Baltimore is also losing one of its better blocking tight ends.

Durham Smythe — torn Achilles, out for season

The worst confirmed news involves Smythe. Rapoport reported Tuesday that an MRI confirmed Smythe suffered a torn Achilles against Tennessee, ending the veteran tight end’s 2026 season after only four games. Smythe had started all four games and played approximately 50 percent of Baltimore’s offensive snaps, with much of his value coming as an in-line blocker rather than a receiver. citeturn2news3turn2news6

That makes this a more important loss than Smythe’s receiving statistics suggest. He had only one reception for four yards this season, but Baltimore signed him because of his blocking ability, versatility and familiarity with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Minter specifically praised Smythe’s ability to line up in multiple spots and solve problems within Baltimore’s blocking and passing schemes. citeturn1search3

Mark Andrews remains Baltimore’s top tight end, but Andrews and Smythe served significantly different roles. Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas now become more important pieces of the offense, particularly when Baltimore wants to use multiple-tight-end formations. Losing Smythe also matters even more if Huntley starts because Baltimore may want to lean heavily on Derrick Henry and the running game to reduce the burden on its backup quarterback.

Andrew Vorhees — foot injury

Vorhees left Sunday’s game with a foot injury and did not return, creating another problem for an offensive line already dealing with considerable attrition. Minter did not have a concrete update Monday, meaning Wednesday’s first official practice report should provide a better indication of Vorhees’ chances of playing against Atlanta. Emery Jones replaced Vorhees at right guard and played 36 offensive snaps against Tennessee. citeturn1search2turn1news36

The timing could hardly be worse. Baltimore has already lost centers Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn to injured reserve, while Ronnie Stanley has been dealing with a toe injury. If Vorhees misses time as well, the Ravens could be asking Huntley to start behind a line featuring multiple backups and inexperienced players.

Marlon Humphrey — calf injury

Humphrey suffered a calf injury during the first half against Tennessee and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Chidobe Awuzie took over after Humphrey exited, while Baltimore also leaned more heavily on Nate Wiggins and rookie Chandler Rivers. Minter did not provide a definitive update Monday, so Humphrey’s participation Wednesday will be worth monitoring closely. citeturn1search2turn1news36

Unlike Smythe, there has been no report yet indicating Humphrey’s injury is season-ending or similarly severe. Still, losing him for even a short period would hurt a secondary already dealing with depth concerns. Humphrey remains one of Baltimore’s defensive leaders and gives the Ravens flexibility because of his ability to play both outside and in the slot.

Trey Hendrickson — fractured finger

Baltimore was already without Trey Hendrickson against Tennessee after the veteran pass rusher underwent a procedure on his fractured finger. Hendrickson did not practice throughout the previous week and was ruled out before Sunday’s game. His Week 5 availability remains uncertain heading into the beginning of the practice week. citeturn1search30turn2news19

The impact was noticeable against Tennessee. Baltimore produced only one sack, coming from rookie Ethan Burke, although Nnamdi Madubuike generated six pressures and Mike Green added five. Getting Hendrickson back would be especially important if Humphrey cannot play because a stronger pass rush would reduce the amount of time Baltimore’s secondary has to cover.

Ronnie Stanley — toe

There is better news regarding Stanley. The veteran left tackle returned against Tennessee after previously dealing with a toe injury and was able to finish the game. That does not necessarily mean Stanley is 100 percent, but simply having him available becomes extremely important given what has happened elsewhere along Baltimore’s offensive line. citeturn1search30turn2news19

Baltimore may continue managing Stanley’s practice workload this week. With Jackson potentially sidelined and Vorhees’ status uncertain, keeping Stanley healthy becomes one of the Ravens’ biggest priorities. The Ravens cannot afford another major injury up front.

Zay Flowers — hamstring trending in the right direction

Flowers appears to have made significant progress from the hamstring injury that limited him earlier in the season. He entered the Tennessee game questionable but was reportedly cleared without the strict snap restriction he had been under the previous week. Flowers ultimately led Baltimore’s wide receivers with 47 offensive snaps against Tennessee. citeturn1search30turn1news36

That is an encouraging development because Huntley will need Baltimore’s primary playmakers available if he starts. Flowers’ ability to generate yards after the catch could become especially important in a more conservative passing offense. Baltimore needs this to remain an injury that continues moving in the right direction rather than something that resurfaces.

Chris Moore — ankle

Wide receiver Chris Moore missed the Tennessee game because of an ankle injury after being limited throughout the previous practice week. He is currently listed as questionable for Week 5 by injury trackers, although Baltimore’s first official Atlanta practice report will give a much clearer picture. citeturn1search4turn1search30

His absence has opened additional opportunities for Baltimore’s younger receivers. Devontez Walker played 44 snaps against Tennessee, while rookie Elijah Sarratt played a season-high 23 and recorded his first NFL reception. That depth becomes more important if Moore cannot return this week.

The injured reserve list remains significant

Baltimore’s problems go well beyond the four players injured Sunday. Ethan Pocic is on injured reserve with a knee injury, while Jovaughn Gwyn is on IR following an ankle injury. The Ravens also have cornerback T.J. Tampa, wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, quarterback Skylar Thompson and several other depth players currently dealing with injuries or reserve-list absences. citeturn0search1turn2news19

Pocic’s absence is particularly significant because it contributes to the instability along the offensive line. Gwyn is not expected back until much later in the season, while Tampa and Lane have potential opportunities to return sooner. Baltimore entered the Tennessee game with just 51 players on its active roster after placing Pocic and Gwyn on IR. citeturn1search30

Ravens injury outlook entering Week 5

The Ravens are 3-1, but this is easily the biggest adversity they have faced through the first month of the season. Smythe is now gone for the year, Jackson appears unlikely to play Sunday, and Baltimore still needs answers regarding Humphrey and Vorhees. Hendrickson, Moore and several others are also trying to work their way back while the offensive line has been forced into almost constant reshuffling. citeturn1news6turn2news6

The biggest thing to watch Wednesday will be Jackson’s practice designation. An absence would not automatically rule him out against Atlanta, but given Tuesday’s report that he has only an outside chance of playing, Baltimore should be preparing as though Huntley will start. Thursday and Friday will then tell us whether Jackson has any realistic opportunity to make a late push to play.

MSB Take

The Smythe news hurts, but everything revolves around Jackson. Baltimore should not rush him back for one October game if doing so increases the possibility that the ankle becomes a lingering problem for the rest of the season. The Ravens are 3-1, Huntley has proven he can keep the offense functional, and Baltimore’s ultimate goals extend well beyond beating Atlanta in Week 5.

The larger concern is how many injuries are accumulating simultaneously. Baltimore can survive a game without one starter, but potentially losing Jackson, Smythe, Vorhees and Humphrey while already missing Hendrickson and multiple offensive linemen changes the equation considerably. The Ravens survived Tennessee, but the next several weeks may tell us far more about the depth of this roster than the first four games did.