Lamar Jackson may not suit up for the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, just days after a bombshell report claimed that questioned his work ethic and linked him to a trade.
The Ravens face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in their penultimate game of the season on Saturday. However, it could be Tyler Huntley starting under center for John Harbaugh’s side.
Baltimore listed Jackson as doubtful for Saturday night’s game, while the Packers also listed starting quarterback Jordan Love and his backup Malik Willis as questionable.
Jackson has not practiced with the Ravens all week ahead of the showdown in Green Bay as he suffers with a back injury.
Jackson suffered a back contusion over the weekend against the New England Patriots, joining a list of issues to his hamstring, knee, ankle and toe this season.
And amid his absence from training, speculation has swirled over the signal caller’s future in Baltimore.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been listed as doubtful for Saturday
The signal caller’s designation comes after a shocking report questioned his work ethic
On Wednesday, an opinion piece in the Baltimore Sun accused the signal caller of sleeping in meetings, playing video games late into the evening and receiving preferential treatment.
The article, written by columnist Mike Preston, also claimed that it was ‘clear that coach John Harbaugh has become tired of Jackson’ amid ongoing trade rumors.
The 28-year-old is also in the midst of one of the worst statistical seasons of his career since being named a full-time starter.
His passing numbers are down, his 18 passing touchdowns are significantly lower than the 41 he had last year, and his anemic number for rushing attempts and yards has made Jackson nearly unrecognizable from his trademark dual-threat abilities.
The opinion piece published by The Baltimore Sun also accused Jackson of not putting in the necessary effort to properly maintain his health and conditioning.
‘The breakdown of an NFL player’s body is natural,’ Preston argues, ‘but Jackson could help himself.’
Preston further points the finger at Jackson and says, ‘He doesn’t need to be up late at night playing video games or falling asleep in team meetings.
‘He needs to train more around The Castle [Baltimore’s training facility] instead of only attending mandatory minicamps, where he disappears after one day.’
Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley will start under center should Jackson not play
Jackson has been injured multiple times this season, missing practice this week
The columnist’s criticism then turned to the team itself, suggesting ‘there are team rules and then there are rules for Jackson’ – saying the Ravens practice in the afternoons and not the mornings to appease him.
‘Once the Ravens become critical of Jackson,’ Preston writes, ‘he becomes more withdrawn. It’s a shame because Jackson isn’t a mean-spirited person, just an overgrown kid in an adult’s body.’
Preston claimed that instead of signing a contract extension, the Ravens should consider trading Jackson.
Among the trade destinations include his hometown Miami Dolphins, who are now in the lurch after benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Preston says that Jackson ‘would love to play in Miami’.
Another option is Las Vegas due to the fondness part-owner Tom Brady has for Jackson.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh refuted the claims on Christmas Eve
However, later in the day, Ravens coach Harbaugh addressed the claims directly to the media and insisted that he has an ‘A-plus’ relationship with the quarterback.
Speaking about the reports on Wednesday, Harbaugh said: ‘I’ll tell you how [I feel], as I’m pretty transparent with all the guys.
‘[I] had a great conversation with him this morning about a few things. Football, how he’s feeling, things like that. So our relationship is A-plus. I love him. Always have, always will. He’s fighting like crazy to get back.
‘So, these reports… I don’t really need anybody speaking for me. So ask me, and I’ll tell you how I feel.’
