Robert Griffin III is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills, leaving rookie Lamar Jackson as the backup quarterback behind Joe Flacco.
It had been debated all week whether the Ravens would dress two or three quarterbacks. Jackson is expected to be used in some special packages Sunday as a quarterback, wide receiver, or runner. An injury to Jackson, with Griffin inactive, would leave the Ravens without a viable backup to Flacco against the Bills.
Griffin also has far more experience than Jackson, who is making his NFL debut. However, the Ravens are trusting they can win with Jackson should Flacco suffer an injury.
Making Griffin inactive gives the Ravens another player to rotate into the game, and a full complement of players on special teams. Griffin sounded Friday like he did not expect to be activated.
"Now my job is to help the team in any way that I can and to be there for Joe during the game, to help him if he asks me questions of what I'm seeing," Griffin said. "Very rarely do you see three quarterbacks active."
Maurice Canady, Kenny Young Both Active
Cornerback Maurice Canady and linebacker Kenny Young were questionable on Friday's injury report, but it was not a surprise to see them active. Head Coach John Harbaugh said he expected Canady to play, and Young was a full participant in practice both Thursday and Friday.
Canady adds to the Ravens' cornerback depth. The team will be without veteran cornerback Jimmy Smith until Week 5, as he serves a four-game suspension for violating the NFL code of conduct policy.
Young battled Patrick Onwuasor for the starting job at inside linebacker during training camp and the preseason. The competition was close, and Onwuasor and Young could share snaps Sunday.
Jordan Lasley, Darious Williams Among Healthy Scratches
Wide receiver Jordan Lasley, offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor, cornerback Darious Williams, and defensive tackle Zach Sieler are the healthy scratches Sunday, along with tight end Hayden Hurst (foot) and defensive tackle Willie Henry (abdomen). Hurst will be out several more weeks while recovering from stress fracture surgery. Henry is recovering from hernia surgery. Both Hurst and Henry were listed as out on Friday's injury report.
Without Lasley, the Ravens dressed five wide receivers Sunday – Michael Crabtree, John Brown, Willie Snead IV, Chris Moore and Janarion Grant, with Grant expected to handle return duties.
With Sieler scratched and Henry out because of injury, the Ravens have five active defensive linemen: Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce, Brent Urban, Chris Wormley and Patrick Ricard.
Bills Starting Cornerback Is a Healthy Scratch
Veteran cornerback Vontae Davis will not play Sunday after practicing all week. Davis suffered a torn groin last November and is still working his way back.
Fifth-year veteran Phillip Gaines is expected to start in Davis' place.
