Why Lamar Jackson is not playing in Ravens vs Colts. Cooper Rush's poor show worries fans

Lamar Jackson did not start for the Baltimore Ravens in their first preseason game, against the Indianapolis Colts, on Thursday.

Updated on: Aug 8, 2025, 05:03:48 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Lamar Jackson did not start for the Baltimore Ravens in their first preseason game, against the Indianapolis Colts, on Thursday. Cooper Rush got a chance to show his prowess as backup quarterback weeks before regular games begin. However, fans were concerned just after the first throw of the game.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws as quarterbacks Devin Leary (13) and Cooper Rush (15) watch (AP)

Rush threw a pick on the opening drive, just the second play of the game. For the Colts, it was Alex Johnson who made the play. Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis offense quickly took over.

The Colts got on the board with a 53-yard field goal by Spencer Shrader. However, the Ravens hit back within minutes. Keaton Mitchell, coming back from an injury, rushed 22 yards to score the first touchdown of the game. He had 45 yards on two carries. Baltimore took a 7-3 lead.

However, fans were still mad at Cooper Rush. “Cooper Rush just threw an interception on the first pass play, I’m already out 😭” one person noted on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Yikes: Ravens QB Cooper Rush throws an INT on his first pass attempt of the preseason…” another one tweeted.

Why Lamar Jackson is not playing vs Colts

Jackson, the Ravens’ two-time MVP quarterback, did not participate in the team’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday at M&T Bank Stadium. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed this decision, aligning with the Ravens’ long-standing strategy of resting key starters, including Jackson, to avoid injury risks during exhibition games.

Jackson hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2021, a pattern reflecting the team’s focus on preserving his health for the regular season, especially given his critical role in their Super Bowl aspirations following a 12-5 record and Divisional Round loss in 2024.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.