OTL: Can Jackson-to-Jackson Help Solve Q4 Woes?

To switch things up a bit, I’ll start of my weekly Out to Lunch with the injury report this time around. Take a look at who was out there and who wasn’t on Wednesday:

Today’s injury report. pic.twitter.com/js9ESoQhD3

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 19, 2022

As Jeff Zrebiec highlights, key players Edwards, Bowser, Ojabo and Kolar were all practicing yesterday morning.

Gus Edwards, Tyus Bowser, David Ojabo and Charlie Kolar were also all practicing. Edwards probably closest to return. Bowser next.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 19, 2022

It might be tough to say that Charlie Kolar is a “key player” considering he’s never suited up for Baltimore, but the former Iowa State Cyclone is an intriguing prospect. While fan favorite Isaiah Likely is the field-stretcher in a Mark Andrews (or, dare I say, Darren Waller) mold, Kolar is more of your hybrid Tight End.

Kolar has receiving chops, at least in college, but he may also be the more polished blocker of the Ravens’ TE draft picks this year. Baltimore has struggled to hide their plans on plays in which Likely takes the field, but that might change with Kolar in the fold.

When it comes to receiving though, the Ravens officially announced the signing of veteran WR DeSean Jackson to the team’s Practice Squad on Wednesday:

We have signed WR DeSean Jackson to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/iOzgxOf7yj

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 19, 2022

To surely nobody’s surprise, QB Lamar Jackson is excited about the addition:

Lamar Jackson said that DeSean Jackson was “floating around, running great routes. I’m excited.”

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 19, 2022

For me, Jackson does offer the potential of a much needed deep threat. My question, though, is how great a deep threat he’ll really be. At 35 years old, Jackson doesn’t have the wheels he once did. Further, in pass-happy offenses with the Rams and Raiders last year, Jackson totaled 454 yards and 2 TDs. That’s not the type of impact Baltimore really needs.

In fact, you could argue Baltimore doesn’t really need the receiving help, at least when it comes to closer plays. They have three of the most contested catches this season:

The Ravens have three of the closest contested-catch TDs in the NFL this season, per @NextGenStats.

• Week 1 (Devin Duvernay): 0.1 yard of separation from nearest defender
• Week 4 (Mark Andrews): 0.5 yard of separation
• Week 6 (Mark Andrews): 0.2 yard of separation pic.twitter.com/DPZuOex5Lq

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) October 19, 2022

Those catches are impressive, no doubt, but if we’re being real, the Ravens do need help for Jackson. That’s especially true without Rashod Bateman, who looked poised to break out this season. Needless to say, Baltimore’s QB is excited to have his top target back soon:

Lamar on his excitement to have Rashod Bateman back at practice: pic.twitter.com/ApAzcFkcGt

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 19, 2022

There’s no doubt that missing Bateman has been a major loss in recent weeks. The second year target was electrifying early in the season, but needs to prove he can stay healthy to lead Baltimore’s receiver corps. If he can see out the rest of the season once returning, this Ravens offense might just return to its former levels.

That may not happen this week, but if the Ravens needed a jolt, they did host the 2012 Super Bowl Champions for a visit this week, and Jackson said it was awesome:

“That’s exciting, that’s going to pump us up.” @Lj_era8 on having the 2012 Super Bowl team in town this week: pic.twitter.com/c0HXOOnpBb

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 19, 2022

I think we all believe this team has the potential to be a title winner, but they haven’t put the pieces together to prove that just yet. Some of these things are a bit corny, but with a team that’s blown three double-digit leads, you’ve got to try anything.

We’ll find out if it works this Sunday afternoon. Until then, enjoy the rest of your week!

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