The Baltimore Ravens headed into the 2025 NFL season with high hopes of taking the next step toward winning a Super Bowl title with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson under center. Although the Ravens got a lot of preseason hype, things haven’t gone as planned for Baltimore, especially after Jackson went down with a hamstring injury.
Fortunately for Baltimore, Jackson is ready to get back to work under center, as he’s been participating in practice ahead of Week 9’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
With Jackson back in the fold, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has put the team on notice, making it clear there’s no margin for error moving forward. Jackson spoke to the media and shared Harbaugh’s message.
“Coach touched on that with us in a team meeting: Each and every game is going to be like a win-or-go-home game,” Jackson said. “It’s do-or-die right now, each and every week.”
Lamar Jackson Forcing Ravens to Focus Ahead of Week 9
GettyQuarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens.
Along with Harbaugh laying down the law to motivate his players heading into the matchup with the Dolphins, Jackson isn’t messing around —he wants everyone on the same page, without any distractions.
“I told him to take all the games, ping pong, turn off the TVs,” Jackson said after practice. “If we could have taken out the TVs, they’d have been out of here, too,” Jackson said. “I appreciate Mr. Steve [Bisciotti, Ravens owner] for putting that in for us, but we had to focus. I wouldn’t say people don’t take the job seriously —don’t get me wrong —but I didn’t feel like it was time for that. We have a lot of work to do.”
The real question now is whether the Ravens can lock in and focus with Jackson back under center and ready to lead this team once again. Baltimore does benefit from a favorable schedule, facing struggling teams in consecutive games over the next few weeks: Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Cincinnati Bengals.
However, the team has yet to show any consistency, so they’ll be put to the test with an opportunity to get back to form as one of the best teams in the AFC during this upcoming stretch.
Lamar Jackson Being Cautious With Hamstring Injury
GettyLamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens speaks with Tyler Huntley #5.
One problem with hamstring injuries, especially in a very physical sport like football, is that a player might not be fully healed, as reinjury is common.
Players might feel ready to play, but the hamstring might not be. Jackson knows this as he prepares to return to the field.
“You don’t want to rush a hamstring injury back and make it worse, and then you’re out for a whole season,” Jackson said. “I feel like hamstring injuries can be tricky. I thought I’d be able to move sometimes, and then I would feel a little tug early on when I was rehabbing. I don’t want to end my season or end my career on a hamstring injury.”
With Jackson seemingly determined to face the Dolphins, he appears prepared to put his hamstring to the test, so it’ll be interesting to see the results and whether the Ravens are ready to go on a run.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Makes Revelation Ahead of Return From Injury appeared first on Heavy Sports.