After some optimistic reports Tuesday regarding quarterback Lamar Jackson’s chances of suiting up for the Baltimore Ravens in their wild-card game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Wednesday brought significantly different news.
Ian Rapoport said it’s “not looking good” for the former MVP to play on Sunday night in Cincinnati and he’s facing an “uphill battle” due to his sprained PCL that he suffered in early December.
Furthermore, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday morning that Jackson has tried to “do some work” on his injured knee, but “hasn’t felt right to this point.” The former Louisville signal-caller went down with his injury in Week 13 and was given a one-to-three-week timetable for return, but hasn’t even come back to practice since then, a span of over five weeks.
In the wake of the Ravens dishing out a record five-year, $100 million contract to inside linebacker Roquan Smith, former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White took to Twitter on Tuesday, advising Jackson to sit out Sunday’s contest. White feels that without Jackson, Baltimore stands no chance against the defending AFC-champion Bengals and following a possible loss in the wild-card round, the quarterback should resume negotiations on a possible contract extension or look to get traded.
The 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler finished the 2022 regular season with a 62.3% completion percentage for 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while recording 112 carries for 764 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground as well.
