Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers could get Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley instead of two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson (back contusion) in Sunday night’s win-or-go home game.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Jackson has an uphill battle to play in the regular season finale.
“I’m told, right now, it’s a shade under 50/50 as to whether he’ll be available for the showdown next weekend in Pittsburgh,” Florio said on NBC’s Football Night in America.
If Jackson is unable to play once again in Week 18, the Ravens will have to heavily rely on running back Derrick Henry, who is coming off a career-high 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers.
In the grand scheme of things, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin thinks the Ravens’ offensive philosophy doesn’t change much whether it’s Jackson or Huntley under center.
“I think there’s certainly some things that are exclusive to Lamar, and that’s not taking anything away from Huntley. It’s just certain things that are Lamar and no other human on the planet,” Tomlin said during his Tuesday press conference. “But largely, I think they play to a certain personality, regardless of who is at quarterback. I think that was on display a week ago. I think they’re experienced in playing with Huntley. They know how to play with him schematically, and certainly, he knows how to play and has logged some significant reps over his years there. … Although it is potentially a backup quarterback circumstance, I think there is some fluidity there from their perspective, and to be quite honest with you, when things get thick, they play a certain way, regardless of who is playing quarterback. Usually the ball is going through the big runner, and that’s what we expect.”
While Jackson hasn’t played his best ball this season, it would still be a massive blow to the Ravens’ chances. The two-time NFL MVP has thrown for 2,311 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions in 12 games. He’s also added 340 yards and two more scores on the ground.
Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley has filled in nicely in Jackson’s absence, throwing for 426 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, but there’s no arguing Jackson adds another element to Baltimore’s offense.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mike Tomlin Explains Difference Between Lamar Jackson vs. Tyler Huntley
