Jackson activated, set to go
Quarterback Lamar Jackson and fullback Patrick Ricard were among the four Ravens activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, clearing the way for them to return Tuesday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
Rookie defensive t ackle Justin Madubuike and long snapper Morgan Cox were also activated from the list, designated for players who’ve tested positive or been exposed to the virus as a “high-risk” close contact.
Jackson’s return is the most consequential for an offense that struggled mightily in the Ravens’ loss Wednesday to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team’s third straight defeat overall. Backup quarterback Robert Griffin III, now on the injured reserve, and third-stringer Trace McSorley combined to go 8-for-19 for110 yards, a touchdown and an interception against Pittsburgh.
Jackson tested positive for COVID-19 on Thanksgiving Day and completed his 10day self-quarantine Saturday. While he’s struggled to recapture his form from last season, when he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Saturday that Jackson had been “fully engaged” in the team’s virtual meetings. He practiced Sunday and participated in the team’s walk-through Monday.
“He’s really [in] lockstep, each and every step through,” Roman said Saturday. “The only thing he can’t do is, obviously, be here at the facility and actually take part in it. But, mentally, he’s right on it.”
The Ravens’ three other activations should prove helpful, too. Ricard’s presence will be critical against a Cowboys run defense that’s among the NFL’s worst. Madubuike has flashed his potential, and he’ll provide important depth, especially with starting linemen Brandon Williams (ankle) and Calais Campbell (calf ) questionable. And Cox will return to the Ravens’
special teams “Wolfpack” one week after practice squad long snapper Nick Moore filled in.
Jackson will not have Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews or slot receiver Willie Snead IV available, however. Both are still selfquarantining after testing positive for COVID-19, though they’re expected to return in time for the Ravens’ game next Monday against the Cleveland Browns. Pro Bowl outside linebacker Matthew Judon is also set to be back by Week14.
Safety Geno Stone, practice squad offensive lineman Will Holden and injured cornerback Terrell Bonds are also still on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Ravens had as many as 23 players on the list during an outbreak that forced a Week 12 game against the Steelers to be postponed three times. In a statement Saturday, team president Dick Cass said a “highly contagious” strain of COVID-19 and noncompliance with NFL protocols led to one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in sports.
Ravens big favorites
The Ravens are heavy favorites over the visiting Cowboys of their game Tuesday night, according to Las Vegas sportsbooks.
With Jackson and a handful of other contributors expected to play after missing Wednesday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens enter their Week 13 game as 8½-point favorites, up nearly a point since late last week.
Tuesday’s game, rescheduled after the Ravens’ coronavirus outbreak, is a matchup of two slumping teams. The Ravens (6-5) have lost three straight games and four of their past five, and now might need to win out to secure a postseason berth. The Cowboys, who at 3-8 are still just two wins behind the NFC East-leading New York Giants, have lost five of their past six games.
Jackson has thrived against NFC teams since entering the NFL in 2018. In eight career starts against nonconference opponents, he’s 8-0 overall, but just 3-5 against the spread, including in two wins against the Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles this season. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have just one road win this season, their Week 11 upset of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Ravens lead the all-time series 4-1 and are 3-0 in Baltimore.
The Cowboys won the teams’ last meeting, a 2016 meeting in Dallas in which Dak Prescott passed for 301 yards and three touchdowns.
The over/under for Tuesday’s game is 45 points.