The PCL sprain heard around the world continues to dog Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson’s Ravens are headed to Cincinnati next week for a rematch against the division-winning Bengals. Yet the question remains: will Jackson be the one under center for Baltimore’s wild-card matchup?
Jackson suffered his knee injury in a Week 13 win over the Broncos. Unfortunately for Baltimore, the former MVP hasn’t practiced since. The initial prognosis saw him sitting out for one to three weeks. Five missed games later and panic is growing as the playoffs approach. To many in the media, it sounded after three weeks that the Ravens had such a simple road to the playoffs that they were simply resting Jackson for an eventual playoff run. But starting a quarterback that hasn’t seen the field in five weeks is far less than ideal.
Jackson has done everything that’s been asked of him in rehab sessions, but his knee reportedly still hasn’t quite felt right, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport asserts that PCL injuries take a bit longer than MCL injuries and that perhaps, due to Jackson’s explosive and agile nature of play, the standards for being back to 100% are different for Lamar than they would be for other quarterbacks.
Regardless, Jackson indicates that he’s confident he’ll be able to return in the playoffs, even if others involved in the recovery aren’t quite as sure. If Jackson isn’t available next week, a familiar refrain continues as Rapoport reports that the belief is that he will be able to go the following week, should Baltimore advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Here are a couple of other rumors from around the AFC North concerning the two teams in the division who played their last football of the season against each other today:
- Browns edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney made headlines when he announced he was “ninety-five percent sure” he wouldn’t return to Cleveland and was sent home by the team. Although a likely change in defensive coordinator could improve his views on returning, Clowney has likely burned those bridges with his reported behavior, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. In the team’s October loss to Baltimore, Clowney reportedly told defensive line coach Chris Kiffin that he was hurting after the first series of the game and, as a result, Kiffin only sent Clowney in on third downs for the rest of the game. It was later revealed that Clowney told Kiffin he was hurt because he was upset that the Browns lined him up on the left side over Ravens star tackle Ronnie Stanley instead of the right side with Morgan Moses. If the anecdote is true, a moved like that, which could be viewed as manipulative or petty, would almost guarantee that Clowney’s future was determined in way back in October.
- During a Q&A with fans this week, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hit on an intriguing note concerning Steelers third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph. A fan inquired about the chances of Rudolph accepting a deal to be the team’s backup in future seasons. Dulac’s response indicated that Rudolph likely doesn’t have “any interest in staying (in Pittsburgh) after the way he was demoted/treated.” This assertion is nothing new from Dulac who posited early in December that Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky may both find themselves in new homes next year.
It will be interesting to see what the Steelers do at the QB position if Mitch and Mason are both gone. It’s supposed to be a good QB draft coming up, but the Steelers have so many other needs.
Plenty of other veterans they could bring in. Draft a clipboard holder in the later rounds. They have Pickett so no need to waste anything higher than a 5th on a qb
Why would you draft a QB Kenny Pickett in year 1 has been fine. Pickens will grow. Freirmuth chemistry will grow. Dionte Johnson is locked up. Warren and Harris at rb. Good defense build up the o-line and defense more in the draft. Things are on the up and up in Pittsburg. They won’t be a world beater but be a team with some dog in them.
Because you have to play the Bengals twice a year. The 2 teams are very far apart. QB is a difference maker.
After seeing Josh Dobbs play why not bring him back if Mitch is traded?
Bring in Baker Mayfield. He’s a no nonsense no drama backup QB.
With a bad attitude if he’s not a starter. Baker has demanded his release or trade from 2 different teams this season. He doesn’t seem like someone who will accept a backup role with class
lol Baker and no drama. he can’t even make commercials without drama.
Donna would be good. Johnson needs to be traded. He continues to drop balls in cold weather. Not worth the money he is being paid
If he’s not worth the money he’s being paid, why should anyone else pay for him?
Dobbs not Donna
Donna Hanover
I can understand Rudolph’s feelings, and Dulac has certainly pounded the issue since training camp, but it just comes down to guys having the make the most of their opportunities—however limited—when they come. And evidently, Steelers brass never saw him as anything more than a backup
In hindsight, they could have saved a lot of money and bypassed Trubisky. Rudolph would have been just as good of an interim QB
That said, here’s hoping they bring in a veteran QB to back up Pickett. A guy who is comfortable in the role but also someone who is competent as a player.
I’m thrilled they finished the season off at 7-2 but let’s face it, they didn’t play the Chiefs, Bills, or other top tier teams
The draft is going to be important as is bringing in a couple free agents.
I think Lamar quit on the ravens. I don’t think he wants to play there no more. watch for Lamar to be on the commanders,jets, Seahawks, rams, raiders, jets, or falcons in 2023
Ravens say Lamar is working hard to play against Bengals in WC game. If he does, Lamar might just turn straw into gold for playoff run for team and him.