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The Baltimore Ravens were without their two-time NFL MVP quarterback when Tuesday’s organized team activities (OTA) began.
It’s still unclear why Lamar Jackson was absent from Tuesday’s media practice. Monday’s voluntary OTAs were closed to journalists. 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 offseason program leaders, and he had a couple things happening yesterday and today, and I hope he’s back soon,” Minter said. “We’ve had some great 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, Maryland, on August 23, 2025. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Minter replaced John Harbaugh, who was fired in January after 18 seasons as Ravens head coach. The New York Giants hired Harbaugh shortly after his departure from Baltimore.
Jackson’s attendance at voluntary off-season activities has drawn attention due to his inconsistency throughout his NFL career. It’s hard to say how much that matters, but it’s certainly a problem that critics have pointed out from time to time. His contract, with two years remaining, has also been a major topic lately after he and the Ravens did not agree to an extension before the start of free agency. Instead, Baltimore restructured Jackson’s deal to create cap space.
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The Ravens held a minicamp in April, their first under Minter, and Jackson was in attendance.
At the end of Tuesday’s OTAs, the team participated in a game in which offensive and defensive players competed by throwing medicine balls. Minter said that’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 press conference at Under Armor Performance Center in Owings Mills, Maryland, on January 29, 2026. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
“We finish practice every day with a ‘do our best when our best is needed’ period, so it could be anything different. Today we decided to do a little friendly competition,” Minter said.
“Right now, you can’t really participate in the soccer competition, so I thought it would be something different, something fun. I try to make sure the guys don’t know what’s about to happen 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, have the guys push themselves 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, Maryland, on December 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 remained on the ground for a moment, he then returned to practicing.
“The floor felt like a bed for a while,” he said. “And I saw all of you (reporters) looking hot and bored, so I thought, ‘I need to give you something to tweet and write about.'”
