Lamar Jackson injury update: Ravens QB ruled out vs. Bengals after latest downgrade

The Baltimore Ravens have suffered another major setback ahead of their Week 7 showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Lamar Jackson has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game after the Ravens downgraded their star quarterback from questionable to out, putting an end to hopes of seeing him return to the field this weekend.Jackson had been working his way back from an ankle injury and returned to practice earlier this week for the first time since getting hurt. However, despite making progress during the week, the two-time NFL MVP will have to wait a little longer before making his comeback.Lamar Jackson ruled out after Ravens initially listed him as questionableJackson's availability had been one of the biggest talking points surrounding Baltimore's preparation for its divisional matchup with Cincinnati. The quarterback suffered an ankle injury during the Ravens' October 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and has missed the team's last two games.There was some hope surrounding his potential return after Jackson participated in limited practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The quarterback also indicated that he was moving in the right direction during his recovery, leaving the door open for a possible appearance against the Bengals.However, Jackson's progress wasn't enough to get him back into the lineup. The Ravens have now ruled him out, meaning Baltimore will have to navigate another important AFC North contest without its franchise quarterback.Jackson previously explained that his recovery would depend on how well he could move rather than simply whether the swelling in his ankle had gone down. He made it clear that returning before he could play effectively would not help his team."If I can't do that, I can't help my team," Jackson said while discussing his recovery, emphasizing the importance of being able to move properly before returning to action.Tyler Huntley set for another start as Ravens face BengalsWith Jackson unavailable, Tyler Huntley is expected to start at quarterback for Baltimore for the third consecutive game. Huntley stepped into the starting role during Jackson's absence, helping the Ravens secure an overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons before suffering a 13-10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns last week.Now, Huntley faces another significant challenge against a Cincinnati team coming off its bye week. The Bengals will look to take advantage of Jackson's absence as they prepare to face their division rivals on Sunday.Baltimore enters the matchup with a 4-2 record, while Cincinnati sits at 3-2. With the Ravens looking to bounce back from their loss to Cleveland, another game without Jackson puts additional pressure on Huntley and the rest of the offense.When will Lamar Jackson return?Jackson's latest setback leaves his return date uncertain. His participation in practice earlier this week was an encouraging development after missing time with the ankle injury, but the Ravens are clearly unwilling to rush him back before he can perform at the level required.For now, Baltimore will have to rely on Huntley while Jackson continues his recovery. The quarterback's absence is a significant storyline heading into Sunday's matchup, especially with both teams looking to strengthen their position in the AFC North.The Ravens will hope their star quarterback can return to full health soon, but his focus remains on recovering sufficiently to contribute when he finally gets back on the field.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.