QB Lamar Jackson among Baltimore Ravens stars sitting out preseason opener

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Star quarterback Lamar Jackson is among a handful of experienced front-line players who are being held out of Baltimore's Thursday night preseason opener, coach John Harbaugh said Saturday.

This decision comes a year after the Ravens lost running back J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending knee injury while only playing one series in the preseason finale. This also continues the team's trend of trying to reduce the risk of injury after 25 players went on injured reserve at some point last season. Baltimore has decreased the number of full-contact team drills at this year's training camp.

Harbaugh also announced four other players won't play in the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans: tight end Mark Andrews, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, outside linebacker Justin Houston and safety Marcus Williams.

«I think you can kind of extrapolate who will play and who won't,» Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh declined to say whether Jackson will be held out for Baltimore's other two preseason games. Jackson is currently negotiating with the team on a new long-term extension.

At this year's training camp, Jackson has participated in all 10 practices and has looked sharp, completing nearly 70% of his passes and throwing just two interceptions.

The Ravens have kept Jackson out of preseason games in the past. Jackson didn't play in the final two preseason games in 2019 and missed the first two preseason games last year, when he was sidelined for the first 10 days of camp after testing positive for COVID-19. Last year, Jackson only participated in 10 snaps in the preseason.

Baltimore will look to extend an impressive streak without Jackson. The Ravens have won 20 straight games in the preseason, which eclipsed the Vince