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The Baltimore Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson in Sunday’s playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the quarterback gave an update on his health on Thursday.
He tweeted that his knee was still “unstable” after suffering a grade 2 PCL sprain, which was a grade 3 “borderline” injury. He said there was “a soreness around my knee” but noted he was “on the road to recovery.”
Lamar Jackson @Lj_era8
remains unstable. I am still in good spirits as I continue with treatments on the road to recovery. I wish I could be out there with my boys more than anything, but I can’t give 100% of myself to my boys and fans. I still hope we have another chance. 💜💜
The update came after ESPN Adam Scherter reported that Jackson missed practice on Thursday and is expected to be sidelined for the game against the Bengals.
Schefter provided some positive news for Baltimore, noting that Tyler Huntley resumed throwing Thursday after sitting out the season finale with shoulder and wrist injuries. That could clear the way for him to face Cincinnati after Anthony Brown struggled in his Week 18 matchup, walking 19 of 44 for 286 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
Jackson’s health was the biggest story about the Ravens heading into the postseason.
He has been sidelined since a Dec. 4 win against the Denver Broncos, and the team went 2-3 in his absence. While Huntley can use his legs to hurt opposing defenses, he’s nowhere near doubles threat that Jackson poses.
The Louisville product was the 2019 MVP and has a résumé that includes two Pro Bowl selections and a quarterback-record 1,206 rushing yards in a season. He appeared in 12 games this year and completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 764 yards and three points on floor.
The uncertainty about Jackson’s health comes with his contract expiring after the 2022 campaign.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was questioned about speculation that Jackson was sidelined because of his contract situation and brushed it aside.
“Sometimes you say to yourself, ‘Man, I can’t believe anyone would say that or think that,'” he said told reporters. “But you’re doing your best not to let it affect you emotionally. At this point, I just ignore it all and just focus on it [beating the Bengals]. Anything else just becomes noise.”
Jackson himself provided some clarity on Thursday and it appears he will be sidelined while he recovers from the knee injury.