Ravens make feelings clear on Lamar Jackson | Sports News

Stepping into the footwear of Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson presents an nearly insurmountable problem, but Baltimore’s locker room has voiced sturdy perception that longtime NFL backup Cooper Rush possesses the abilities needed to rise to the event.

Jackson sustained a hamstring pressure during Baltimore’s 37-20 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs this previous Sunday, an harm that is anticipated to keep him sidelined for 2 to a few weeks.

With their franchise quarterback unavailable, the Ravens should rely on Rush, who inked a two-year, $6.2 million deal with the group final April.

Rush has accrued substantial enjoying time since his NFL debut in 2017, posting a 9-5 report as a starter throughout eight seasons – with seven of these campaigns spent sporting a Dallas Cowboys uniform.

In 2022, Rush excelled when known as upon to interchange Dak Prescott because the star quarterback recovered from a thumb harm suffered in Week 1. Across 5 begins that marketing campaign, he related on 83-of-143 makes an attempt for 956 yards, 5 touchdowns and three picks whereas guiding the Cowboys to a 4-1 mark.

While Rush did not replicate that stage of success when substituting for Prescott again in 2024, he nonetheless led the Cowboys to a 4-4 report whereas tossing 12 touchdowns in opposition to simply 5 interceptions.

Considering Rush’s confirmed monitor report and intensive league expertise, the 31-year-old has shortly earned the backing of his Ravens teammates. “He’s a pro’s pro,” tight finish Mark Andrews instructed reporters.

“He really dove into this offense, understands it extremely well. He’s going to know what to do. I know he’s fired up for the opportunity to go show what he’s all about.

“There’s a purpose why he is been within the league [eight years]. He’s a actually good participant.”

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Wide receiver Rashod Bateman echoed these sentiments, stating: “Coop’s completed an wonderful job since he is been right here. We’ve received all of the trust that he’ll get the job completed.”

The timing of Jackson’s injury is far from ideal, with the Ravens currently at 1-3 as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. However, Rush – who completed 9-of-13 passes for 52 yards against the Chiefs last week – insists there’s no sense of panic within the Baltimore organization.

“Whenever a franchise QB goes down, it is at all times a ‘sky-is-falling’ feeling all over the place you might be. It’s regular,” Rush said.

“We’ve been right here earlier than on this kind of scenario. It’s nothing new, so that you lean on that. You get confidence from it, simply trust your self, and if it’s important to go on the market, you are able to do it.”

Having had a full week of first-team practice reps, Rush is confident he’s ready to lead the Ravens’ offense in Week 5.

“This is what you’re employed for, what you put together for,” he said. “Getting the entire week to really exit and observe it, too, it is a lot higher than simply coming in with no observe reps within the center of a sport, so I’ve loved that.”