Lamar Jackson injury: Ravens give concerning update on star QB

The Baltimore Ravens shared a concerning injury update on quarterback Lamar Jackson ahead of their Week 9 game against the Denver Broncos. On Wednesday, the Ravens revealed on their injury report that the two-time NFL MVP is dealing with a back and knee injury. Jackson did not practice, but Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Wednesday is a rest day for him.

“He’s been playing great and we’ve got a lot of football in front of us here,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve got a game, quick game, another big game coming up. So that was warranted today.”

Because of how Jackson plays, nagging injuries are nothing new to him. But based on what Harbaugh had to say about Jackson, it looks like the injuries won’t prevent him from playing on Sunday.

It would be a big blow for the Ravens if Jackson misses any time due to injuries. In eight games this year, the former Louisville Cardinals star has completed 66.9 of his passes for 2,099 yards, 17 touchdowns and two interceptions with a 115.4 passer rating. On the ground, Jackson has rushed for 501 yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries.

Lamar Jackson continues to get better

Last week, Steven Ruiz of The Ringer said Jackson has taken his passing game to new heights this year. “Jackson’s command of the pocket has been excellent, which is rare for a scrambling quarterback,” Ruiz wrote, per the Raven’s official website. “And he’s so much more than a QB who scrambles — and happens to be exceptionally good at it. Jackson doesn’t run himself into sacks, and he generally gets the ball out on time. When he holds the ball, it’s typically for a good reason, whether he’s evading an unblocked pass rusher or has already worked through his progression and is looking for an exit from the pocket.

“Jackson’s accuracy has also improved. That was never necessarily a weakness in his game, but it is now a strength, and that precision combined with Jackson’s dynamic arm makes him one of the top pure throwers in the NFL. His decision-making has improved as well. He’s taking more ownership of Baltimore’s offense.”