Ravens' Lamar Jackson dealing with 'back flare-up,' misses second straight practice

Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson failed to practice Thursday, marking just the second time in his four-year NFL career that he has missed consecutive practices in the regular season.

Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Jackson currently is dealing with a "little back flare-up."

"I don't think it's anything serious," Roman told reporters before Thursday's practice. "But we're just going to have to kind of wait and see. I think he's going to be in good shape. We'll wait and see."

The Ravens (2-1) are scheduled to have one more full practice Friday before traveling for their matchup against the undefeated Denver Broncos (3-0) on Sunday. Jackson has never been sidelined for a game because of an injury.

Thursday was only the ninth regular-season practice that Jackson had missed -- and just the third due to an injury. The other absences were related to illnesses and a positive COVID-19 test.

The only other time Jackson has missed back-to-back practices in the regular season came in Week 5 last year. He was forced to sit out for one practice with a knee injury, then missed the next day with an illness.

Tyler Huntley, who went undrafted out of Utah in 2020, is the backup to Jackson. Huntley has never started a game in the NFL.