Ravens’ Lamar Jackson ‘doing everything he can’ to play vs. Browns; Cam Jurgens close to return

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Quarterback Lamar Jackson is “doing everything he can” to return in time for the Ravens’ game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, but coach Jesse Minter said Monday that his recovery timetable is unclear.

Jackson sprained his ankle in the Ravens’ Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans, and the injury sidelined him in practice last week and in Sunday’s comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons. Tyler Huntley started in his place, going 24-for-32 for 201 yards and two touchdowns and adding a score on a quarterback sneak.

Minter said Jackson is “definitely doing better,” but he acknowledged that it’s too early to know whether Jackson would be available to practice Wednesday.

“Again, he’s doing everything he can,” said Minter, who noted last week that Jackson wouldn’t need to practice to be cleared to play. “I think we’ll know more, definitely, by the middle of the week.”

The Ravens are 3-0 over the past two seasons in games that Huntley has started. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman called him an “overly prepared backup.”

“It’s hard to back up a guy like Lamar Jackson and to come in [with] certain situations like he has in his career,” Bateman said Sunday. “It is big. It shows that he’s always ready for the moment, for the game and for the right play call to be called.”

Jurgens in ‘finishing stages’

Rookie Vega Ioane’s two-game stint at center might end on a high note, with Cam Jurgens approaching the end of the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Ioane, who was thrust into the starting job after injuries to Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic, is expected to return to right guard once Jurgens is available. The Ravens traded for the two-time Pro Bowl pick last week.

After missing practice last week with symptoms stemming from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 4 game, Jurgens is now in the “finishing stages” of the protocol, Minter said, and “signs point in a good direction for Cam to be ready to play.”

Jurgens has spent his downtime studying coordinator Declan Doyle’s offense, and Minter said the team feels good about where he stands mentally and physically.

Others nearing return

Rookie wide receiver and training camp sensation Ja’Kobi Lane, who’s eligible to come off injured reserve this week, could return to practice Wednesday.

The third-round pick broke his wrist in the Ravens’ season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts. Minter said his conditioning is in “a really good place.”

Outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson, the Ravens’ top pass rusher and biggest free-agent signing, is also “chomping at the bit” to return to the field after undergoing surgery on his finger. He’s missed the past two games.

“We’ll see how that shakes out on Wednesday, but I feel pretty good about both those guys,” Minter said.

The Ravens left Atlanta without any major injuries, Minter said. They had a few players briefly leave the game, including right tackle Roger Rosengarten, defensive linemen Travis Jones and Broderick Washington, and tight end Matt Hibner, but they all returned to the field.