The Ravens return to practice on Wednesday. It’s still unclear whether quarterback Lamar Jackson will join them.

Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that he had no update on Jackson’s chances of practicing this week ahead of Sunday’s AFC wild-card-round game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury in Week 13.

“We’ll have our injury report out on Wednesday,” said Harbaugh, who last week was “hopeful” that the 2019 NFL Most Valuable player would be available for the postseason. “That’s kind of where we’re at.”

Harbaugh said Jackson was working with the team’s training staff Monday, and that he’d been working “super hard” to return to action. Harbaugh said Jackson, who hasn’t spoken to reporters since his injury, remained in good spirits as he continued his rehabilitation.

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“Hopefully, it’s progressed to the point where he can get to practice at some time soon,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, that’s really what we’re all hoping for, for sure. And when we have something to report on that, we will, honestly. That’s just the truth of it. But he’s been great. He’s always in good spirits. He wants to play. There’s no doubt. That’s my feeling. You know I love Lamar. I love Lamar. I love everything about Lamar, always have, always will.”

With Jackson inactive Sunday and backup Tyler Huntley held out because of tendinitis in his right (throwing) shoulder, the Ravens turned to undrafted rookie Anthony Brown against the Bengals. In his first career start, Brown went 19-for-44 for 286 yards and had three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) that led to Cincinnati touchdowns. The Bengals won, 27-16, setting up a playoff rematch in Cincinnati.

The Ravens have struggled mightily on offense without Jackson. Over the season’s first 12 weeks, they ranked fourth in offensive efficiency, according to Football Outsiders. Over the final six weeks of the regular season, they were just 23rd, carried mostly by a rejuvenated defense.

Notes

  • A day after Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt criticized the Ravens for “cheap [stuff]” in Sunday’s game, a sentiment some defensive teammates echoed, Harbaugh defended his team. “I studied the game really closely, obviously,” he said. “Anybody can. And it’s clear our players played a clean game, as they always do. Millions of fans watched the game as well, and they saw the same thing, so I would just say, let them be the judges. But I’m not going to get into that. I don’t get into that with other teams, nor about other teams. Never have, never will.”
  • Harbaugh said running back Gus Edwards remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. He left Sunday’s game after four first-quarter carries for 16 yards.
  • Harbaugh said tight end Nick Boyle, who was released Saturday as part of a series of roster moves, could rejoin the team, possibly on its practice squad roster. “It’s a roster move that we had to make,” said Harbaugh, who indicated that a reunion with wide receiver DeSean Jackson, also released Saturday, was unlikely.

jonas.shaffer@thebaltimorebanner.com