Browns' React to Ravens Star Lamar Jackson Being Ruled out For Week 6

A week littered with notable injury news from both the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens culminated in the latter ruling out star quarterback Lamar Jackson for Sunday's showdown for first place in the AFC North.

Jackson is dealing with an ankle sprain that will now keep him sidelined for two straight weeks and pave the way for veteran backup Tyler Huntley to make a second consecutive start.

Ironically, this one will come against a team he's plenty familiar with, having spent some time during each of the last two training camps in Cleveland. The Browns are plenty familiar with Huntley's game, though. Which is why, despite the fact that their division rival will be without their two-time MVP in Jackson, their approach to this weekend's matchup hasn't changed. 

"Not much," head coach Todd Monken, who crossed paths with Huntley in Baltimore over the last three seasons, said. "I mean, Snoop has athleticism, ability to escape, make plays with his legs, use him in the QB-driven world. He makes quick decisions with the football. He’s a very confident player like Lamar. So, we have to prepare for the Ravens." 

Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg had similar comments earlier in the week as did one of his most vocal leaders on defense, linebacker Quincy Williams, who said it's not about 'preparing for the quarterback, but actually preparing for the team.' 

Still, it's undeniable that game-planning for Jackson is a much more daunting feat than Huntley. The former is one of the best quarterbacks in football, while the latter represents one of the more serviceable backup QBs in the league. 

In a game that will decide who's in first place atop the AFC North standings, there's something to be said for beating a division rival at full strength, but you won't find Browns players upset that Jackson won't play, either.

"The biggest difference? One is Lamar Jackson," Browns safety Grant Delpit joked. "I'm trying to win. 'll take it. But listen, of course we want to play the best."

When Williams learned of Jackson's game status he went as far as calling it 'good news.' 

With the Browns dealing with several key injuries of their own on defense, they'll take any advantages they can ahead of Sunday. Second-year defensive stars Carson Schwesinger and Mason Graham are both listed as questionable on the Week 6 injury report and only practiced one day this week. 

Regardless of who plays and who doesn't on either side, there's a sense in the locker room that they can't take anyone lightly. 

"We want it to be a good game and whatnot, but all we can control is ourself and what we put out there," added Delpit. 

Cleveland is well aware of what Huntley is capable of in a high-octane Ravens offense. Just last week he led Baltimore to a thrilling 30-23 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons, completing 75% of his passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the process. 

He's played well," said Williams. "Snoop, he's came in, done his thing ... Lamar runs around a little bit more. He'll give up 15 yards just to have a chance to make the play or get a game. So, Snoop, it's not like that. Get the ball out." 

In four starts against Cleveland during his career, Huntley is 2-2 with a 70% completion percentage, 633 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He's also been sacked 10 times, while rushing for 120 yards and another score. He also went 2-for-2 as a starter with Monken as his OC in Baltimore, so nobody is more familiar with how capable Huntley can be. 

"Snoop’s played well. He really has," Monken said. "If you go back to, what, the last game they played, our Green Bay game last year, our Bears game when he started- he’s played well. There’s a reason why they signed him back. Right? ... it’s our job to negate some of the things that he does well and get after all of them."