OTL: All Eyes on Lamar Jackson’s Practice Status
The 2025 NFL season simply can’t be real. Each week, things seem to get crazier and crazier. With Week 18 quickly approaching, the Ravens are back in control of their destiny, with the Cleveland Browns to thank.
It all comes down to this for the AFC North crown. pic.twitter.com/6NXIesuiFe
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 29, 2025
While the rest of the NFL’s seeding is coming together (though the AFC Wild Card spots could get interesting), Baltimore’s path is clear – Win and you’re in.
Alongside thanking Cleveland, though, Ravens fans have the O-Line and Derrick Henry to thank, as well. Much maligned this season, the unit played its best game in Lambeau on Saturday to give the team a chance. Kyle Van Noy discussed that with Kay Adams on Tuesday:
How come it’s so hard to give Derrick Henry the ball a million times every game??
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) December 30, 2025
@gregauman‘s best of the best from Week 17!
Read more on his picks: https://t.co/9FvSP71geb pic.twitter.com/rgFrLAeyqP
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2025
Can they keep the fairy tale alive one more week?
Well, much of this success came in the I-Formation, which Jonas Schaffer notes was successful in Baltimore’s first matchup with Pittsburgh:
Derrick Henry’s production in the I formation Saturday, via @SIS_SportsInfo:
18 carries (most by an RB since at least 2015)
140 yards (2nd most)
7.8 YPC
The Ravens had success there in Week 14 vs. Pittsburgh. Can they rely on it Sunday?
More: https://t.co/jSJFC8TyeI pic.twitter.com/yA8kUpTYMp
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 30, 2025
Without a doubt, Baltimore must run the ball well throughout the game (emphasis on throughout) if they’re going to win in Pittsburgh. Still, Zachary Smith highlights how difficult that’s been in weeks past:
The Steelers defense is allowing just 52 rushing yards per game over their last 3 games. The next best team (Philadelphia Eagles) is allowing 85.3 rushing yards per game in that same span. For reference, the Jacksonville Jaguars lead the NFL, allowing 86.1 rushing yards per game
— Zachary Smith (@ZacharySmithPGH) December 30, 2025
Meanwhile, the Ravens will need to defend the pass against Aaron Rodgers better than they did in Week 14. With John Harbaugh calling out the secondary for needing to be better, and with the Steelers potentially missing multiple key cogs in their receiving corps, it could be what makes the biggest difference:
Tomlin also said he has “some level of optimism” about WR Calvin Austin III (hamstring), G Isaac Seumalo (tricep), CB James Pierre (calf) and CB Brandin Echols (groin) playing against the Ravens.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) December 30, 2025
Darnell Washington is OUT for Pittsburgh on Sunday. Steelers optimistic they’ll have Calvin Austin and TJ Watt back for the AFC North Championship game
— Samuel Njoku (@RavensTalkPod) December 30, 2025
These Steelers are really gonna miss the playoffs because DK Metcalf wants to punch a fan.
— WachaSZN (@WachaSZN) December 28, 2025
Despite these absences, Rodgers can still sling it and the Ravens’ secondary looked weak against Malik Willis. While the Packers had plenty of receiving options at their disposal, could the Ravens benefit from a late-season addition at CB?
One of the perks of being in the playoff picture while having an atrocious record is that you are early in the claim process
Do it @Ravens https://t.co/ryvojySxs0
— Jack Settleman (@jacksettleman) December 30, 2025
If a team were to claim Trevon Diggs off of waivers, it would be on the hook for the $472K he is due in base salary for Week 18, plus $58,823 if he is active this week.
Diggs has no guaranteed money on his deal beyond this season.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 30, 2025
Yeah, IDK. He won’t clear waivers til tomorrow at 4:00, so you’re getting him for 2 days of practice (if they lose on Sunday). $531K seems like a lot for that. Plus, he’s only played in 21 of a possible 51 games over the last 3 yrs & hasn’t been very good since his ’21 All-Pro yr
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) December 30, 2025
Personally, I tend to agree with Brian McFarland in thinking a Diggs addition wouldn’t be worth it. Alongside the possibility that he’d be a 2-day practice body, there’s got to be a lot going on in his head given the ongoing case surrounding his brother:
Stefon Diggs faces a felony “strangulation or suffocation” charge, along with misdemeanor assault and battery. The Patriots have issued a statement indicating that Diggs “categorically denies” the accusations. https://t.co/rGqv5Sb2KW
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 30, 2025
Furthermore, Diggs has never been known as a “lock down” corner, but rather a big play artist. With Marlon Humphrey taking the ball away and coverage seeming to be a bigger concern, I’m not so sure Diggs would help as much as people think.
Instead, the biggest addition could be the return of QB Lamar Jackson, if healthy. That said health, however, continues to be in question:
Very interesting seeing how these insiders are seemingly split on Lamar’s status. Florio and Schefter don’t sound very confident that he’ll play. Jay Glazer and Ian Rapoport sound confident that he will.
— Josh Berman (@NextNetworkJosh) December 30, 2025
I’ve seen some fans state their interest in starting Tyler Huntley over Jackson regardless of health, which to be clear, is bogus. Jackson is a 2x MVP for a reason – What are we doing here?
I’ve never seen a generational Hall of Fame player get this type of weird press like Lamar. Lamar be cool as hell too
— Paul Booming
(@blakebooming) December 30, 2025
.@mspears96 isn’t happy with the notion that the Ravens would be better against the Steelers without Lamar Jackson
pic.twitter.com/AIXxW0iQM2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 29, 2025
If anything, Baltimore will need to overcome their past difficulties and the Steelers’ historical success in late-season divisional matchups in Pittsburgh:
The Steelers are:
20-5 in regular season finales since 2000 (11-1 @ home)
10-1 in regular season finales @ home vs divisional opponent since 2000
4-1 @ home vs Baltimore in their last 5
— Zachary Smith (@ZacharySmithPGH) December 30, 2025
Luckily, Vegas and others are confident the Ravens will:
.@Chris_Broussard isn’t surprised the Ravens are favored in Pittsburgh at all:
“They should be favored. They’re gonna win this game, with or without Lamar.” pic.twitter.com/i5lV27Unwx
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) December 30, 2025
That said, Happy New Year!
The post OTL: All Eyes on Lamar Jackson’s Practice Status appeared first on Russell Street Report.
Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/12/31/out-to-lunch/otl-all-eyes-on-lamar-jacksons-practice-status/
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18 carries (most by an RB since at least 2015)
140 yards (2nd most)
(@blakebooming) 
20-5 in regular season finales since 2000 (11-1 @ home)
