It's seeming less likely that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will play Sunday against the Houston Texans.
The news would come as a relief for Texans fans all too familiar with what Jackson is capable of, but it doesn't quite let Houston off the hook.
Baltimore still has Derrick Henry, who notably has seen fewer carries in recent weeks and is something the Ravens want to correct. The Ravens still have Mark Andrews, wide receivers Zay Flowers, DeAndre Hopkins and Rashod Bateman. While the Texans defense at times has shown poor tackling and has been susceptible to attacks over the middle of the field, where all of those players can operate.
The Texans' offense should have a much lighter task of dealing with this barebones Ravens defense, which is missing most of its key players. But the defense will have its hands full, even if it's Cooper Rush at quarterback while Jackson deals with a hamstring injury.
“Really talented team all across the board," Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said Thursday. "Their receiving group's really good. [Baltimore Ravens WR] Zay’s [Flowers] one of the best in the league at A) getting open, B) with the ball in his hands in terms of run after catch and making guys miss. Really good cutback runner. They get the ball to him in the screen game. Very dynamic receiver. A really good player. We all know what [Baltimore Ravens WR] ‘D-Hop’ [DeAndre Hopkins] can do. He's averaging almost 30 yards a catch. Just down the field and can test the balls.
"Regardless of who's playing quarterback, those throws are there. You can get the ball into Zay Flowers’ hands, and he can go make people miss. You can throw the ball to D-Hop. [Baltimore Ravens TE Mark] Andrews working the middle of the field and always getting open. He's one of the best in the league at finding open spots and zones and being crafty and using leverage and using his body to get open. Those throws are there. Very quarterback-friendly throws regardless of who's playing."
The Ravens have the third-ranked scoring offense in the league. Their total offense is ranked 13th.
Conversely, the Texans rank atop the league in points allowed and tie for the fifth-ranked total defense.
"They're an explosive unit, very explosive on offense," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this week. "Although they've lost some games, they’ve scored a ton of points. They have explosive players all across the field. Whether it's at the wide receiver position, with [Baltimore Ravens WR] Zay Flowers, [Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod] Bateman, [Baltimore Ravens WR DeAndre] Hopkins. With their tight ends, also explosive players. The [running] backs as well, [Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick] Henry is an explosive player. They have people that you have to keep eyes on. You have to be aware of everyone."