Ravens face Week 5 with Jackson out and defense thin

Lamar Jackson's hamstring injury and a string of defensive losses have left the Baltimore Ravens thin at key positions heading into Week 5, the team said Friday, a development that could reshape their immediate outlook after a 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jackson left the Week 4 game in the third quarter with a right hamstring strain and was ruled out for Baltimore's game against the Houston Texans, the team announced. Multiple reports indicate the two-time MVP could miss two to three weeks and might be available after the Ravens' Week 7 bye, though the club has not provided a firm recovery timeline. Coach John Harbaugh told reporters he was certain Jackson could not have returned to the Chiefs game, saying, "There was no way he was going to go back in the game. The injury precluded it."

Backup Cooper Rush will make his first start for Baltimore this season; the team elevated quarterback Tyler Huntley from the practice squad to serve as Rush's backup. Rush, who joined the Ravens in the offseason after several years with Dallas, said Friday that the preparation this week helps the team and that "we've been here before in this type of...