We have not seen Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on the field since Week 13 in the team’s game against the Denver Broncos. Jackson exited early with a knee injury, but the severity was unknown.
There was hope that he would get back on the field at some point, but as the weeks have gone on, he hasn’t made as much progress as hoped. Originally, it was deemed a knee sprain and he was week-to-week according to the team, but it is a little more serious than they had let on.
Earlier this week, for the first time since injuring his knee on December 4th, Lamar Jackson addressed the injury. He shared an update on his Twitter account where he revealed that a Grade 2 PCL strain was suffered, which bordered on Grade 3. In addition to that, he gave a discouraging update about there still being inflammation and instability in his knee.
“There is still inflammation surrounding my knee and my knee remains unstable,” Jackson wrote. “I wish I could be out there with my guys more than anything, but I can’t give a 100% of myself to my guys and fans. I’m still hopeful we have a chance.”
Without Lamar Jackson in the lineup, the Ravens’ offense has struggled mightily. When he started, the Ravens are averaging 23.1 points per game, which is ninth in the league. Without him in the five other contests, they are averaging only 13 points per game.
Baltimore certainly has an uphill battle when it comes to advancing in the postseason without their star quarterback on the field. Backup Tyler Huntley’s status remains up in the air as well as he deals with tendonitis in his right throwing shoulder. He did, however, resume throwing at practice Thursday, which likely puts him on track to get back on the field.
Huntley, like Lamar Jackson, was sidelined for the team’s Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Undrafted rookie Anthony Brown was thrust into the starting lineup as a result and he struggled as much as you would expect, going 19-of-44 for 286 yards and two interceptions.
This is certainly not how Lamar Jackson wanted to wrap up his fifth season in the NFL as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Alas, all signs point to the Ravens placing the franchise tag on him after they worked out a long-term extension with linebacker Roquan Smith earlier this week.
