The Baltimore Ravens were without quarterback Lamar Jackson in practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday as he was held out with what is being described as a “sore back.”
Head coach John Harbaugh spoke to the media on Wednesday after Jackson missed practice and didn’t sound concerned about Jackson’s injury. However, he was noncommital on his quarterback’s status for Thursday.
Evidently, the Ravens seem to be playing it safe again.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said prior to Thursday’s practice that Jackson was dealing with “a little back flare-up” which is why he was being held out again.
Josina Anderson reportedly shortly after that his injury was considered “low-level,” but that “there would be some concern if Jackson did not practice on Friday.”
Lamar Jackson’s back injury is not considered a concern for now
Jackson has never missed a game due to injury in his entire NFL career to this point. He’s only sat out of two games in his career — first in Week 17 of 2019 when the Ravens had already clinched the No. 1 seed, and then again last season after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Other than that, Jackson has been extremely durable despite the number of hits he has taken. But those hits caught up to him this past week.
Jackson was sacked a season-high four times in the Ravens 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions this past Sunday. The former league MVP has been hit a total of 44 times through three weeks which is five more than any other QB in the NFL.
Evidently, those hits are starting to take their toll.
Jackson remains the focal point of the entire Ravens offense as he enters Week 4 as the team’s leading rusher with the fourth-most rushing yards in the entire NFL.
Jackson was forced to sit out of last Thursday’s practice with an illness, but it clearly didn’t affect him come Sunday as he put together arguably his most impressive performance of the season.
The Ravens will continue to monitor Lamar Jackson’s status closely over the coming days. Fortunately, there doesn’t appear to be much concern at this time.