The Baltimore Ravens were able to win in Week 17 without 2-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, going on the road to shock the Green Bay Packers and keep their playoff hopes alive.
With the AFC North Division title and a playoff spot on the line in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens seem destined to get Jackson back in the lineup with everything on the line.
Jackson missed the game against the Packers with a back contusion — his second injury absence this year after missing 3 games earlier this season with a hamstring injury.
Speaking with the media on Thursday, January 1, Jackson said “100 percent” he was going to play against the Steelers, who came out with a controversial, 27-22 win in the first meeting between the 2 teams in Week 14.
The Ravens are 8-8 headed into the Steelers game.
Jackson Addresses Accusations in Bombshell Column
Jackson also took the press conference to extensively address a bombshell column from The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston on December 23 — an unusual move for the normally tight-lipped $260 million superstar.
From Ravens Vault’s Sarah Ellison: “Lamar Jackson shot down several accusations from a recent Baltimore Sun column: He was asked if he has a strong relationship with his head coach John Harbaugh: ‘Yes. I don’t know where that stuff comes from.’ Is there any truth to him falling asleep in meetings? ‘Do you think Harbaugh would let me fall asleep in meetings? That’s crazy. I’m right in front. It’s just noise. … I heard I play games at 1 or 2 in the morning. I don’t even do that during the summer, so I don’t know where that comes from either.’ Does he want to be in Baltimore? ‘Absolutely, man, absolutely.’ He added that he’s never quit on his team, and reiterated he doesn’t know where narratives like that come from. He said he’ll ‘100%’ be the starter on Sunday, and he’ll wear protective gear around his back where he sustained a contusion.”
Jackson’s Future Hot Topic Around NFL
This has been, hands down, the most tumultuous season of Jackson’s 8-year NFL career — one that might already have earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jackson, who serves as his own agent, could very well become the highest paid player in NFL history this offseason with his next contract extension, although there’s some question as to if his future lies in Baltimore.
The Ravens started the season 1-5 after entering the year as Super Bowl contenders and Jackson’s uneven play has been at the center of most of the criticism.
There was even an incident in Week 8 when the Ravens and Jackson seemed to be far enough apart in their communications that he was listed as a full participant in a Friday practice before facing the Chicago Bears … but was just on the scout team and didn’t even play that week.
That led to a $100,000 fine for the Ravens from the NFL and a bit of a “pie on the face” moment for the coaching staff.
Jackson holds all the cards when it comes to his future. The 5-year, $260 million contract extension he signed before the 2023 season includes a no-trade clause — so if Jackson gets traded it will only be because he’s approved the destination and the terms.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Sends Clear Message on Status for Steelers Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.