Cooper Rush Embraces Familiar Challenge After Lamar Jackson Injury: “We’ve Been Here Before”

Cooper Rush is set to replace Lamar Jackson as the Ravens quarterback in the week 5 fixture against the Houston Texans.

Cooper Rush Embraces Familiar Challenge After Lamar Jackson Injury: “We’ve Been Here Before”

Cooper Rush (Image via IMAGO)

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After skipping three practice sessions following a hamstring injury, Lamar Jackson is set to miss the Baltimore Ravens’ week fixture against the Houston Texans. Jackson will miss the Ravens vs. Texans fixture for the first time since 2022, but he is banking on Cooper Rush to pull through on Sunday.

Jackson hurt his hamstring after the Kansas City Chiefs defender George Karlaftis fell on his leg midway through the week four fixture. Rush stepped in, and although the Ravens lost the game, the veteran shot caller completed 9 passes from 13 attempts for 52 yards.

Rush would need a better stat line to defeat the 1-3 Texans, as the Ravens are the underdogs due to Jackson’s injury. The Ravens were projected to have a 67% chance of winning if Jackson was the starting quarterback, but it plummeted below 50% (46.6%), giving the Texans the slight advantage.

Whenever a franchise QB goes down, it’s always a ‘sky-is-falling’ feeling everywhere you are. It’s normal.

Cooper Rush said via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley

Rush experienced a similar situation in 2024 when he was part of the Dallas Cowboys. After Dak Prescott went down with an injury, Rush stepped up to steady the ship in Jerry-land.

We’ve been here before in this type of situation. It’s nothing new, so you lean on that. You get confidence from it; just trust yourself, and if you have to go out there, you can do it.

Rush added

Rush faced the Texans last season, completing 32 of 55 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown with one interception. However, he was sacked five times as the Cowboys went down 34-10.

Coaches in Baltimore have faith in Cooper Rush

It’s a tough ask for a backup to come in and win games. Over in Cincinnati, Jake Browning was handed the role of the starter after Joe Burrow picked up an injury. However, Browning lost both games that he started for the Bengals.

Cooper Rush Embraces Familiar Challenge After Lamar Jackson Injury: “We’ve Been Here Before”
#15 Cooper Rush throws a pass against the Chiefs (Image via IMAGO)

Rush doesn’t bat an eye at what’s happening in another organization. He is focused on the task at hand. With the coaches backing him up, Rush aims to get the Ravens back on the winning track.

[Cooper Rush] is a consummate pro. Ever since he got here… he was here the whole offseason. You can see why he has been successful. He has played a lot of football, obviously. Don’t forget his record [9-5] as a starter is outstanding. Everybody we spoke to in Dallas, they were gloating… Kellen Moore—they loved him. He has been as good as advertised.

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said

Of course, there will be some changes on the offense. Rush won’t run the same plays as Jackson because they are very different shotcallers. Rush is less mobile but is a very good pocket passer. The Ravens might elevate Tyler Huntley, who can contribute in specialized situations.

Jackson isn’t the only Ravens player who will miss the Texans game. CB Marlon Humphrey, MLB Roquan Smith, FB Patrick Ricard, and CB Chidobe Awuzie are out of the fixture as well.

  • Game: Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens
  • When: Sunday, October 5
  • Time: 12:00 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET
  • Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
  • Channel: CBS Sports, Paramount+

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