CINCINNATI — As the Ravens prepare for the postseason, they’re treating their regular-season finale almost as if it’s the preseason.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley and five other potential starters are inactive for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals (11-4), whom the Ravens (10-6) need to beat at Paycor Stadium to have a chance of hosting a wild-card-round game next weekend or securing the AFC’s No. 5 seed.
Huntley, who said Friday that he expected to start, was limited at practice last week by shoulder and wrist injuries. Running back J.K. Dobbins, tight end Mark Andrews, right guard Kevin Zeitler and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Brandon Stephens, all of whom have dealt with midseason injuries or recent illness, will also not play Sunday.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who hasn’t played or practiced since suffering a Week 13 knee injury, was ruled out Friday. Coach John Harbaugh said last week that he’s “hopeful” that Jackson would return for the playoffs.
With Jackson and Huntley inactive, the Ravens will turn to undrafted rookie Anthony Brown, making his first career start. Brown has appeared in just one game this season, the team’s Week 14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he replaced an injured Huntley.
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell (knee) and cornerback Kevon Seymour (finger/illness), who were questionable for Sunday’s game, were activated and will play. Defensive tackle Rayshad Nichols, who was promoted Saturday from the practice squad, is inactive.
