Ravens vs. Jaguars: Lamar Jackson's Injury Reshapes Thursday Night Slate

The Baltimore Ravens travel to Jacksonville on Thursday night without their starting quarterback, altering the offensive strategy for the Week 9 matchup. Lamar Jackson is out with a thumb injury, a development that forces the team to rely on its running game and leaves the offensive load on Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

The game is scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m. ET. Baltimore has struggled to score recently, managing only one touchdown in each of its last three contests. They will face a Jaguars defense that currently ranks second in the league for points allowed per game. This defensive strength contrasts with Baltimore's recent offensive output, making the running game a critical component of the game plan.

Derrick Henry is expected to carry a heavy workload. The running back has averaged 129.1 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns in his last 10 games against the Jaguars. His performance against his hometown team has been consistent, with a history of high production in these matchups.

The Jaguars have become vulnerable on defense over the last two weeks. After allowing just 63.8 rushing yards per game in the first five games of the season, Jacksonville has surrendered more than 100 rushing yards in each of its last two contests. The defense has also allowed more receptions per game to running backs than all but five other teams, a trend that could expand Henry's role in the passing attack.

Jacksonville running back Bhayshul Tuten enters the game after a career performance against the New England Patriots. He recorded 104 rushing yards, 55 receiving yards, and 159 total yards while scoring two touchdowns. Tuten has produced at least 87 scrimmage yards in all but one game this season and has scored multiple touchdowns in consecutive weeks. The matchup offers favorable odds, as Baltimore has allowed more touchdowns to running backs than only eight other teams.

SportsLine expert Mike McClure, who has earned over $2 million in career fantasy football winnings, identifies Henry and Tuten as key picks. McClure’s model simulates every snap of the game to account for matchups and statistical trends. He also flags Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. as a potential sleeper, noting his touchdown on Sunday after two games without a catch.

The Ravens' kicking game may also see increased usage. If the offense continues to stall short of the end zone, kicker Tyler Loop could become a more prominent factor. The Jaguars' defense remains a strong option for fantasy managers due to its current ranking in scoring prevention.