Latest Ravens News: Everything to Know Before Sunday Night Football vs. Falcons
The latest Ravens news is not the news fans wanted before kickoff. Lamar Jackson is out against the Falcons, Tyler Huntley will start, and tight end Durham Smythe is reportedly done for the season with a torn Achilles. The Ravens (3-1) also made a big trade for center Cam Jurgens, and they have to stop Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson tonight at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Here’s every headline, what it means, and what to watch when the ball is kicked off in Atlanta.
Ravens News Today: Lamar Jackson Is Out, Huntley Starts
Jackson will not play. He sprained his ankle on a sack at the end of the first half in last week’s win over Tennessee, and Coach Jesse Minter told reporters Friday that he would sit out. Huntley makes his 17th career start.
The Ravens have also ruled out pass rusher Trey Hendrickson (finger) and Jurgens (concussion). Receiver Zay Flowers (foot), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), and guard Andrew Vorhees (foot) are questionable. The team announces its inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff, so watch for that update.
For a deeper look at the full injury list, read our Baltimore Ravens injury report.
Durham Smythe Reportedly Out for the Season
This one hurt, and it didn’t get much attention. Smythe reportedly tore his Achilles in the win over the Titans and will miss the rest of the season.
The Ravens answered quickly. They signed veteran tight end Nick Vannett from the practice squad. Vannett is 33, in his 11th NFL season, with 121 games and 54 starts. Like Smythe, he’s known as a blocker, according to the team’s website.
Mark Andrews still leads the tight end room. Rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas may get bigger roles.
This section is our take. Blocking tight ends matter more than people think, especially when the offense plans to lean on Derrick Henry and a backup quarterback. Smythe’s absence makes the Ravens’ run game a little harder to sustain, and that matters against Atlanta’s defense.
The Cam Jurgens Trade Gives the Line a Boost
The Ravens traded a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Eagles for Jurgens and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Jurgens is a two-time Pro Bowl center signed through 2029.
ESPN reported that the teams set up a physical in Philadelphia before finalizing the deal. That’s smart, since Jurgens has been in the concussion protocol. He won’t play tonight, and his Ravens debut is expected against the Browns next week.
For the full breakdown of the price and the fit, read our Cam Jurgens trade analysis.
Can the Ravens Stop Bijan Robinson?
This is the headline that decides the game.
Robinson ranks second in the NFL with 494 rushing yards, behind only Kenneth Walker III. ESPN Research says he averages 145.5 yards from scrimmage in prime time, the most by any player since 1970. The Falcons are 7-2 when he gains 120 or more yards.
Safety Kyle Hamilton called stopping him a “loaded question.” Hamilton said every defender has to swarm Robinson, and the Ravens can’t try to do too much on any one play.
Here’s the other side. The Ravens have allowed 97.1 rushing yards per game since trading for Roquan Smith in 2022, the fewest in the NFL, and they haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 18 straight games. Minter, who calls the defensive plays, said this unit is still finding its identity in his first year.
Derrick Henry knows what Robinson can do. “He’s the best in the game right now,” Henry said, according to ClutchPoints.
The Falcons Are the Real Deal Right Now
Atlanta is 2-2 and has won two straight since Michael Penix Jr. returned in Week 3 from last year’s season-ending knee injury. The Falcons have scored 80 points in those two games.
They’re also dealing with some injuries. Left tackle Jake Matthews (groin), defensive end Za’Darius Smith (concussion), linebacker Divine Deablo (hamstring), and defensive end Arnold Ebukam (hamstring) are all questionable. The Falcons are playing their third straight prime-time game and have planned a red-out at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
What the National Media Is Saying
Pundits barely moved the Ravens in the power rankings after the Titans win. One outlet called 3-1 the team’s best start in three seasons. Others focused on the quarterback situation and the offensive line.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said he was concerned about Baltimore in Atlanta “with or without” Jackson, pointing to the run defense. That’s a fair concern, and it lines up with the Bijan Robinson storyline above.
A Little History
The Ravens are 5-2 all-time against the Falcons, including 2-2 in Atlanta. They last played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2018, when Jackson made his first career road start in a 26-16 win. It’s a neat coincidence that he’s missing this one.
Our Take: How Baltimore Wins in Atlanta
This is analysis, not a guarantee.
Baltimore’s best path starts with the defense. If the Ravens tackle Robinson well and make Penix beat them from the pocket, they stay in the game. On offense, Huntley doesn’t need to be Jackson. He needs to move the chains, avoid turnovers, and give Henry just enough room to keep drives alive. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has prepared plans for both quarterbacks, and now only one matters.
Missing Hendrickson hurts the pass rush, and the tight end shuffle hurts the run game. But the Ravens have a deep roster and a coaching staff that has been through injuries before.
What to Watch Tonight
- The inactive list. Check Flowers, Humphrey, and Vorhees.
- Early downs for Henry. Can Baltimore move the ball against a good Atlanta front?
- Tackling in space. Can the Ravens defense bring down Robinson on first contact?
- Huntley’s first quarter. A clean start would calm a lot of nerves.
- The next opponent. After this one, the Ravens face the Browns, and Jurgens is expected to debut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest Ravens news before the Falcons game?
Lamar Jackson is out with a sprained ankle, and Tyler Huntley starts. Trey Hendrickson and Cam Jurgens are also out. Durham Smythe is reportedly out for the season with a torn Achilles, and the Ravens signed tight end Nick Vannett.
What time do the Ravens play today?
Kickoff is Sunday, October 11, at 8:20 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game airs on NBC and streams on Peacock.
Is Zay Flowers playing tonight?
He’s questionable with a foot injury. The Ravens will announce their inactives about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Who do the Ravens play next?
After the Falcons, the Ravens face the Browns, and Cam Jurgens is expected to make his debut in that game.
Where can I find the Ravens injury report?
Read our latest Baltimore Ravens injury report for every player’s status.
Final Thoughts
The latest Ravens news is tough, but it’s not a disaster. The Ravens are 3-1, tied for first in the AFC North, and they have the roster depth to handle a bad week. Tonight shows how deep that goes.
What’s your take? Can Huntley and the defense win in Atlanta? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and check back after the game for the latest Ravens news and updates.
