Ravens QB Lamar Jackson misses practice with non-COVID-19 illness

Arguably the toughest opponent Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson has faced since Week 1 of the season has been midweek ailments.

According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN, Jackson missed practice Thursday ahead of Sunday's game at the 3-6 Chicago Bears because of an unspecified illness. 

Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman told reporters he believes the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player is feeling "better," and head coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday this setback is not related to COVID-19. However, it's worth noting Jackson has already missed a total of six practices this season. 

He was previously away from the practice field ahead of contests with a "sore" hip, what was eventually said to be a stomach bug and back soreness. 

The good news is these issues haven't kept Jackson out of the lineup for any games. Per ESPN stats, he's 16th overall with a 54.1 total QBR, eighth with 2,447 passing yards and seventh with 639 rushing yards. The 24-year-old has 14 touchdown passes and eight interceptions and, more importantly, has the Ravens at 6-3 and in first place in the AFC North. 

Backup Tyler Huntley is taking first-team reps in Jackson's absence, but it's assumed QB1 will be good to go by Sunday.