Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson could return from Injury for the start of NFL Playoffs

The veteran superstar quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson, is now said to have a chance of playing in his team’s wild – card NFL playoff game this upcoming Sunday night when the Baltimore Ravens will be taking on the Cincinnati Bengals.

Knee Injury:

Currently Lamar has been out and sidelined for well over a month from any NFL game action due to a sprained knee in which he suffered during a win over the Denver Broncos in week – 13 of the 2022 – 2023 NFL regular season. Jackson was completely ruled out for last Sunday’s NFL regular – season finale versus the Cincinnati Bengals.

Lamar is still experiencing some slight swelling in his knee according to sources which is an injury situation that has not healed up as quickly as the Baltimore Ravens would have expected. That is the reason why Jackson has missed as much playing time as he has.

The head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh, told the major sports media outlets last Friday, January 6^th, 2023 that the Baltimore Ravens will be “hopeful” that Lamar can come back, prepare, and return next week for the start of the 2022 – 2023 NFL playoffs.

“I can’t wait for him to get back, just like everybody else,” the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens John Harbaugh stated. “[Jackson] won’t be playing in this game, and we’ll be hopeful next week. We’ll just see where we’re at then.”

Last Thursday, January 5^th, 2023 the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, proclaimed that he was not going to anticipate that Jackson would not be to play in this year’s NFL postseason.

“He’s a special guy,” the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman explained. “I think if somebody’s got a chance to do it, he does.”

The National Football League’s Handling of the Cancelled Game:

Even though the Baltimore Ravens are locked into a 2022 – 2023 NFL playoff wild – card position, the 10 and 7 Baltimore Ravens still had a possibility of hosting a playoff game, but that is all out of the window now.

Because of the result of how the National Football League is handling the unbalanced schedule this season which was created by the cancellation of the Buffalo Bills vs. the Cincinnati Bengals game following the tragic incident involving the Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, a coin flip could have potentially enabled the Baltimore Ravens to host the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend, but now the Cincinnati Bengals have been declared AFC North winners and they will be the ones hosting this weekend’s playoff battle against the Baltimore Ravens.

Ravens Quarterback Situation:

Lamar is not the only Baltimore Ravens quarterback dealing with an injury as their other quarterback, Tyler Huntley, who has went 2 and 2 for the Baltimore Ravens in Jackson’s absence this season, has been very limited for the last 3 – days in practice with injuries to both his right shoulder as well as his wrist.

If Huntley and Lamar Jackson cannot play this weekend for the Baltimore Ravens then their undrafted rookie quarterback, Anthony Brown, who has previously taken first – team reptatitions in practice last week, would have to start this Sunday night’s game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. The Baltimore Ravens other option would be quarterback, Brett Hundley, who was just recently promoted from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad.

The Baltimore Ravens are not anticipating to have to announce their starting quarterback for this Sunday’s game until their pregame warm – ups this weekend.

Other Moves for the Team:

The Baltimore Ravens long – time NFL veteran wide receiver, DeSean Jackson, who missed practice time last week due to an illness, was just recently released prior to the NFL playoffs. DeSean had collected 9 – catches which was good for 153 – yards over the course of 7 – games for the Baltimore Ravens this season ever since he was signed in October of 2022.

The Baltimore Ravens also released tight end Nick Boyle on waivers, and they elevated their defensive tackle, Rayshad Nichols, from the practice squad as well. The Baltimore Ravens also activated their wide receiver Tylan Wallace and defensive back Daryl Worley from the National Football League’s injured reserve list last week.

Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards:

• NFL Most Valuable Player Award Winner (2019)
• First – Team NFL All – Pro Selection (2019)
• 2 – Time NFL Pro Bowl Selection (2019, 2021)
• NFL Passing Touchdowns Leader (2019)
• Bert Bell Award Winner (2019)
• Heisman Trophy Award Winner (2016)
• Maxwell Award Winner (2016)
• Walter Camp Award Winner (2016)
• Associated Press College Football Player of the Year Award Winner (2016)
• Sporting News Player of the Year Award Winner (2016)
• Unanimous All – American Selection (2016)
• ACC Athlete of the Year Award Winner (2018)
• 2 – Time ACC Player of the Year Award Winner (2016, 2017)
• 2 – Time ACC Offensive Player of the Year Award Winner (2016, 2017)
• 2 – Time First – Team All – ACC Selection (2016, 2017)
• Louisville Cardinals Ring of Honor Selection
• Louisville Cardinals Retired Lamar Jackson’s # 8

NFL Records:

• Most Single – Season Rushing Yards by a Quarterback: 1,206 (2019)
• Most Single – Season Rushing Attempts by a Quarterback: 176 (2019)
• Most 1,000 – Yard Rushing Seasons by a Quarterback: 2 (2019, 2020)
• Most Games with a Perfect Passer Rating in the Same Season (tied with Ben Roethlisberger): 2 (2019)
• Most Games with 100 – Rushing Yards by a Quarterback: 12