Lamar Jackson's back injury isn't some run-of-the-mill bruise.
Head Coach John Harbaugh shared some more insight Wednesday on the extent of Jackson's contusion, which knocked him out of Sunday night's loss to the Patriots and has sidelined him at practice this week as the Ravens get set to play an elimination game in Green Bay.
"It's not like a black and blue mark. These are deep-tissue contusions," Harbaugh said.
"I'm not a medical guy, but I did see the MRI. It's legitimate, very painful. The muscles lock up around it, you can't really move very well. He's in the process now of loosening all that up. You can't really say when it's going to be right. He's got to be able to play. He's got to be able to be an athlete and go move."
Harbaugh said it comes down to how quickly the damaged tissue can heal. He said Jackson's status is "undetermined" right now, but that Jackson won't need to practice to play.
"If he can go, he will go. You can bet on that," Harbaugh said. "This guy is one of the ultimate competitors that you're ever going to see. If he's able to go, he's going to go."
Tyler Huntley Is Looking Good in Practice
If Jackson isn't able to play Saturday night, Tyler Huntley will make another start for the Ravens.
Baltimore's only win this season so far over a team headed to the playoffs was against the Chicago Bears in Week 8, when Huntley started.
He's also been in plenty of high-stakes games over his five seasons with the Ravens, including a playoff game, so Huntley isn't intimidated by taking the field in an elimination game for the Ravens.
"A lot of our games have been must-wins. Shoot, every game is must-win," he said.
Huntley was an impressive 9-of-10 for 65 passing yards against the Patriots after relieving Jackson. The Ravens had two touchdown drives with him under center and Harbaugh has been impressed with his practices this week.
"He's looked good," Harbaugh said. "He's on point with the game plan. He's been running these practices and doing a very good job. If it goes that direction, we'll be excited – excited to play the game either way."
Zay Flowers' Reaction to His Second Pro Bowl Was Different
Zay Flowers got emotional last year when General Manager Eric DeCosta told him that he had made his first Pro Bowl.
After earning the honor a second year, Flowers said he found out on Instagram and had a different reaction.
"This time, it was after a loss, [and] I was just like, I appreciate it but I would've taken the win if I'm being honest," Flowers said.
Flowers is just the third Raven ever to record 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons, joining Derrick Alexander (1996-97) and Derrick Mason (three straight, 2007-09).
Flowers has established himself as one of the game's top receivers. He joined the Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase and Texans' Nico Collins as back-to-back Pro Bowlers.
"I think it just shows that I can play with the best of them and I'm willing to do the work," Flowers said.
Flowers' Pro Bowl also reportedly increased the value of his fifth-year option, which the Ravens will decide on this upcoming offseason. Flowers will be eligible for a contract extension for the first time.
Ravens Are Preparing for Packers' Tempo
One thing the Ravens are focused on this week is handling the Packers' different tempos.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur is one of the NFL's top offensive play-callers and he keeps defenses on their toes by mixing up the speed at which his offense operates.
Harbaugh said the Ravens have worked on handling tempo the past two days and "extensively" on Wednesday. They showed the team the TV copies of the Packers' offense as well, so they could hear the words they're using.
"Just to try to understand what's coming, when it's coming," Harbaugh said. "It's not one version, [like] they play fast. They have different types of tempos, different types of plays within those tempos that come up in different situations."
