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The Baltimore Ravens were without their two-time NFL MVP quarterback when Tuesday’s organized team activities (OTAs) began.
Why Lamar Jackson was absent from Tuesday’s media open practice remains unclear. Monday’s voluntary OTAs were closed to reporters. New Ravens coach Jesse Minter offered little explanation but downplayed concerns about Jackson’s absence and suggested the star quarterback would return soon.
“Lamar has been one of our leaders of the offseason program and he had a few things going on yesterday and today and I expect him to be back soon,” Minter said. “We’ve had some good conversations. I know when he comes back and again, I’ll probably leave them between me and Lamar.”
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Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens watches the NFL preseason game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Aug. 23, 2025. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Minter replaced John Harbaugh, who was fired in January after 18 seasons as the Ravens’ head coach. The New York Giants hired Harbaugh shortly after his departure from Baltimore.
Jackson’s participation in voluntary offseason activities has drawn attention due to its inconsistency throughout his NFL career. It’s hard to say how much that matters, but it’s certainly an issue critics have pointed out from time to time. His contract, with two years remaining, has also been a significant topic of late after he and the Ravens failed to agree on an extension before the start of free agency. Baltimore instead restructured Jackson’s deal to create cap space.
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The Ravens held minicamp in April — the first under Minter — and Jackson was in attendance.
At the end of Tuesday’s OTAs, the team participated in a small game in which players from the offense and defense competed to throw medicine balls. Minter said it’s part of preparing the team to play well in the most important moments.
New Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is introduced during a news conference at the Under Armor Performance Center in Owings Mills, Maryland on January 29, 2026. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
“We end practice every day (with a) ‘At our best when our best is needed’ period and so it could be something else. Today we decided to do a little friendly competition,” Minter said.
“Right now you can’t really do the football competition and so I thought it would be something different, something fun. I’m trying to make guys not know what’s going on and answer the bell when their number is called and it’s as simple as that. That’s really all we’re trying to do with it and make it fun, make the guys pull for each other.”
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on Dec. 21, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
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Star running back Derrick Henry caused a brief scare after a knee-to-knee collision with another player. Although he was down for a moment, he later returned to training.
“The ground felt like a bed for a while,” he said. “And I saw all of you (reporters) looking hot and bothered, so I thought, ‘I’ve got to give them something to tweet and write about.'”
